Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

I had this thought last night (maybe after seeing a commercial for the Salad Shooter :D), so I hacked-up a cheap ($2) caulking gun, and welded a piece of 2.5" exhaust pipe (because of it's thin wall) to it. I welded a larger washer onto the "cup" so it would be sure to push the plug out (and not go through it) as the handle was squeezed. I shortened the gun body so the cup would go clear down to the end of the tube, to push all the sod out. I also added a foot rest to help put alittle added weight on it.

Granted, this wouldn't work in hard soil conditions, and won't set any land speed records, but not everyone hunts that way. Also, it might be handy on a manicured lawn, pull-out (up to) a 5" long plug, break it up as you squeeze it out, if you recover the find 1/2 way through, place the loose dirt back into the hole, plug the gun back into the hole.....squirt-out the remainder of the plug (sod still atached), remove the gun & step on the plug to set it back into the ground.

It could even have a long handle added to it & wouldn't require stooping-over to recover coins, as long as you were an accurate pinpointer.


It's too nasty outside to try it out.......will it work??
Smitty

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Burdie

Gold Member
Nov 13, 2005
5,587
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South Central Kansas
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

I wonder, did you try? Looks like it would work. Let us know.
Burdie
 

echostar61

Jr. Member
Jul 22, 2007
61
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Indiana
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

Where do all these cool ideas come from ? Your tool belt is getting heavier eveyday,lol. To keep hunting with you Im gonna have to use my Airedale as a pack mule :D. Looks like another Great Idea smitty.
Terri
 

tac512ltd

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Aug 21, 2007
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

Genius ! I'm sure that would be a killer down here in the packed sand. A great idea.
 

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IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

We're melting-off 5" of last weeks snow, plus rain everyday since, and more everyday in the forecast. I'll definately try it out if it dries-up alittle....and take a couple pics of the process.

Thanks
Smitty

PS- Terri, didn't I explain to you I are a genius?
 

syko

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Oct 20, 2007
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Pasadena, Texas
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

File some teeth into it or weld up a hole saw (same size)to the end so you can "twist" into the ground to cut in. :)
ohh,,you would have to cut the back wall of the saw .
 

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Farmercal

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Mar 20, 2003
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

It probably will work but like all pluggers, it is going to leave a brown spot on the lawn.
 

Diggerbarns

Full Member
Oct 30, 2007
149
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

Looks good!.I would sharpen the cutting edge.Or maybe even cut it on an angle then sharpen it. My prediction..it will work great on socker fields ect especially after a shower.Downfall will be its made of mild steel instead of hardened steel.Dry dirt will be tough on it.Great job.Why not perfect your design then start selling them?
 

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IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

I did grind an edge on it before I welded it together. I used exhaust piping becaise of it's thin wall thickness so it'll pierce the ground as easily as possible. Not much of a place to "twist" from, that's why I added a place to lean on it with a boot. Once a couple inches in the ground, you probably couldn't twist it anyway.

It cost me $5 for parts, so if I have to make a new one every 5 years, I can't complain ;D I'm anxious to try it, I may talk Echostar61 into a hunt soon, I'll try it then.

Thanks
Smitty
 

Shortstack

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Jan 22, 2007
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

Farmercal said:
It probably will work but like all pluggers, it is going to leave a brown spot on the lawn.

The pluggers used by the greens keepers at golf courses do not leave brown spots.
 

imafishingnutt

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Sep 30, 2007
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

i think that model gun is too light duty they make a bigger one that will do a 4 to 5 inch hole
and much heavier steal that wont bend like that one will.
my oppinion
i had a simalar ideah with a shrimp gun
good ideah man
 

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IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

imafishingnutt said:
i think that model gun is too light duty they make a bigger one that will do a 4 to 5 inch hole
and much heavier steal that wont bend like that one will.
my oppinion
i had a simalar ideah with a shrimp gun
good ideah man

lol, it was a $2 caulking gun brand-new, I won't be expecting too much from it ;D I don't think I'd have the need for one to make a 4-5" hole, and it would make it harder to sink it into the ground. The 2.5" pipe fits the shell of the gun just about perfect. Like I'd said, only $5 in material, it isn't something I'd use all the time, just somewhere I was being exceptionally careful with the sod, so I could see it lasting a few seasons as is.

I may make another one, whuch will have a different foot-pad set-up, which would brace the gun to the pipe, and stiffen the whole thing (not that it's bad the way it is). Already made a "stand-up" model, looks like a pogo stick, doesn't use the gun on the end though. I'll post pics later.

lol, thompy.....I hope that IS gum, and not the remains of Poochie I stepped-in :o

Smitty
 

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IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

Same principal as the "gun", but this one could be used to retrieve a coin or ring without stooping, if you're an accurate pinpointer ;) The plunger rod is 5/16" solid rod, the shadow on the wall makes it appear larger.

Smitty
tallPC.jpg


The sod plug is pushed-out by depressing the plunger against the ground (by inverting it) or a nearby stationary object (tree, rock, etc). You con slice the plug with a digging tool, "reload" the sod & dirt back into the cup (in the sod in first so it comes-out last) & pop it back into the hole.
tallPC-top.jpg
 

imafishingnutt

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Sep 30, 2007
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

IndianaSmith said:
imafishingnutt said:
i think that model gun is too light duty they make a bigger one that will do a 4 to 5 inch hole
and much heavier steal that wont bend like that one will.
my oppinion
i had a simalar ideah with a shrimp gun
good ideah man

lol, it was a $2 caulking gun brand-new, I won't be expecting too much from it ;D I don't think I'd have the need for one to make a 4-5" hole, and it would make it harder to sink it into the ground. The 2.5" pipe fits the shell of the gun just about perfect. Like I'd said, only $5 in material, it isn't something I'd use all the time, just somewhere I was being exceptionally careful with the sod, so I could see it lasting a few seasons as is.

I may make another one, whuch will have a different foot-pad set-up, which would brace the gun to the pipe, and stiffen the whole thing (not that it's bad the way it is). Already made a "stand-up" model, looks like a pogo stick, doesn't use the gun on the end though. I'll post pics later.

lol, thompy.....I hope that IS gum, and not the remains of Poochie I stepped-in :o

Smitty
looks like its working go file a pattent quick, this could be a hot item.
 

imafishingnutt

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Sep 30, 2007
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

shrimp gun great for sand hunting
in wet sand sinks down over a foot in seconds.
the smaller tube has a cap on the inside end with a nut and bolt holding a small rubber ball that is used to creat suction
works like a charm.
first you suck the sand up in the tube the shoot it onto a wire basket and the it falls through leaving your target
heres a pic of one.
mine has a T handle on it and a side handle
 

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IndianaSmith

Sr. Member
Jul 21, 2007
434
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Re: Will it work? A Sod Plug "Gun"

If someone wants to apply for it, they can have it......just send me 5% commission ;)

That shrimp gun's pretty neat. Never seen one before, we don't have many shrimp-shooters here in Indiana ;D So it's all hand-powered ? Pulling a handle creates the suction? Do you prefer that over the sand scoop? I don't have any beaches nearby, just curious.

Smitty
 

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