Another Broken Scoop Handle

[LawrencetheMDer]

I have never met a pile of beach rocks I didn't like. After all, if I see rocks on the beach it means that the sand has been removed exposing the deeper layers where gold hides. But it can be treacherous digging in rock layers as evident by the condition of my scoops.



Last year, I destroyed my aluminum scoop by digging in beach rocks; bashing in the sides and busting out the bottom...time for a new scoop. I next turned to the rugged Stealth (920iX) with stock 4' wood handle. The wood handle lasted about a month. I then replaced the broken wood handle with a large heavy wood handle meant for post-hole diggers. The heavy wood handle lasted about 7 months and met its end in a pile of rocks recently (see pic).

New strategy: use PVC pipes. I took a 1 1/4" PVC pipe (outside diameter, 1" inside diameter) and inserted another smaller PVC pipe for added strength and capped the larger pipe. I used it for the first time yesterday and seemed to work well. The PVC pipes do bend quite a bit so I'm careful to not over do it. We'll see how it works out. I plan to hit the water with the scoop and new handle and we'll see how it fares. At least the handle will float.

As for the Stealth scoop, itself, it handled the rocks pretty well; none of the seams or welds failed although many of the sides buckled and required me to pound-out the sides but otherwise in good shape. Hail Stealth! Now back to the rock piles.

 

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[OBN]

Good Luck, Rocks are a pain for sure.

 

[dewcon4414]

Ive found a HOLE handle is about as good as any with a 2'wooden dowel. Cheap....... and is completely sealed so they float a bit...... oh and patience with that big ole scoop.

 

[gamiller]

Looks like an anger management issue to me.

 

[gamiller]

For the wooden handle make sure the grain is properly aligned and before using wrap the handle at the obvious stress point with fiber flex tape.
Treat the wood handles with spar varnish to seal .

 

[gamiller]

Solved the wooden handle years ago.
Need arms like Popeye.
Broke the welds once.
I don't use it anymore because of the weight.

 

[Normsel]

I bought a stainless steel scoop, a bit heavy but won't break

 

[Jason in Enid]

Wow, you are certainly tough on your scoops! PVC was never meant to take those kinds of forces, so good luck with your experiment. Maybe try a small steel tube inside a PVC pipe for the next one?

 

[ROBOTCOP13]

Marine grade aluminum alloy handles

Same material used to make custom fishing towers on sport fishing boats.

Custom bent for max leverage with assist handles for one handed digging.

Where in Florida do you hang out?

 

[ARC]

I am all stainless guy myself.

Medium to medium heavy wall tubing... welded by a welder who knows wth he is doing.... slumped stack of dimes welds.

Love forever.

As far as weight... heh... grow a muscle. :P

 

[titan 9000]

Go to best hardware or perhaps any hardware. By the hoe $14. With fiberglass handle. .Cut off the handle. Reinforce with hardwood where it fits into the scoop with oak or hardwood 6-12 inches. I have a sunspot scoop not broke yet.

 

[Agent Green]

Do you have a pic you can post..

 

[flgliderpilot]

Make sure you have a drain hole in the bottom of the tube for the handle... some scoop baskets do not which means the water never drains and the grain never dries out.

I seal my handles with many coats of varnish and drill a drain hole in the bottom of the handle mounting tube.

I also don't dig in rocks so I'm not suggesting this as a fix for OP's breaking handles, just for others using wood handles.