DYI Digging Shovel

[Relicgrubber]

Had my Lesche shovel stolen out of my truck when I was at the store on christmas eve.

Man was I pissed.

Anyway I decided to make my own out of a Tractor Supply Mini Shovel and used a cutting wheel, grinding wheel and round file to
Make this… Not bad for $14 and a lil labor in the shop.

The best thing is... I like this one better than my stolen Lesche!

 

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[Got-Good-Tones]

Store security cam footage...you'll figure out the rest...

 

[Oddjob]

Man that looks good; please come back and tell us how good it was when you find the fella who stole your last one.

But hey, bright side, at least he will have something to dig his own grave with.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Great job on the modification! Perhaps a new business venture for you?

 

[devldog]

Sorry about your Lesche being stolen out of your truck, but you did a great job on this shovel. That thing looks like it would slice through the nastiest of roots and even Thugs jugular veins. I can't stand a low down Thief n Thug.

 

[Hawks88]

Now YOU have the better shovel. You did a great job on the newly designed old shovel. I’d rather have the one you made. Congratulations on on great job.

 

[old digger]

People just don't respect other people's property. Trust me, ''karma'' will be revenged. You sure did a swell job of making your own digger, and it will most likely mean more to you than the Lesche.

 

[nathan619]

That's a nice looking shovel. And not a bad price either.

 

[Okdirtfisher64]

as a fabrication man I can truly appreciate that!!!
So much so I made my template This past Friday and next week on breaks will be working on a digger!!!

 

[Okdirtfisher64]

keep it a little wider than you did and used .060 cut off wheel for the teeth plan on rolling it in some for smaller plug

I don’t know why 2 pics posted

 

[devldog]

Killer looking shovel. Great job.

 

[Relicgrubber]

View attachment 1671407View attachment 1671407keep it a little wider than you did and used .060 cut off wheel for the teeth plan on rolling it in some for smaller plug

I don’t know why 2 pics posted

Looks great dude!

 

[Hunty22]

Oh bummer, that's a great looking shovel they stole. Better install some truck accessories that serves as a good place to store your shovel. Maybe an under-seat storage like this will do?

 

[Deep1]

I'd like to try to make a shovel, not as talented as you guys.
Would someone be kind enough to post a template.
Thanks.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice video Hunty22, thank you for sharing!

 

[andygold]

I recently took an old square bladed shovel and modded it to look like a typical metal-detecting shovel. Gotta put it into my metal recycling bin now, as the removal of the metal destroyed the rigidity of the blade. The blade now flexes and bends, and makes it useless for any type of digging.

How did the removal of metal work out for the Tractor Supply Mini? Is it still rigid enough to dig with, or does it now flex?

 

[Okdirtfisher64]

I of course can’t answer for relicgrubber However from the pics looks like his shovel has a spine that is 4 1/2” from the base of the shaft into the head as is the shovel I moded.That is just a fraction under 1/2 of the shovel head which leaves it quite rigid agian I can’t answer for relicgrubber but I also rolled mine in.I just purchased 3 more to do the mode on for some buddies each one of em on his own could destroy a wrecking ball so I'll soon find out.

 

[Relicgrubber]

I recently took an old square bladed shovel and modded it to look like a typical metal-detecting shovel. Gotta put it into my metal recycling bin now, as the removal of the metal destroyed the rigidity of the blade. The blade now flexes and bends, and makes it useless for any type of digging.

How did the removal of metal work out for the Tractor Supply Mini? Is it still rigid enough to dig with, or does it now flex?

Like dirtfisher said, I basically only removed about an inch worth of steel on both the sides and the tip. Its a solid build and has not failed yet and doubt that it ever will...

 

[andygold]

Like dirtfisher said, I basically only removed about an inch worth of steel on both the sides and the tip. Its a solid build and has not failed yet and doubt that it ever will...

Thanks! I'll have to pick one up and grind away.

 

[JoeVal]

My local discount grocer has a closeout section, and they had 26” shovels with steel sleeves over wood handles for $3.99 each. On the other side of the aisle they had the identical shovel with Black & Decker on it, and they wante $4.87 for the name...I bought two of the cheaper ones, and made one 4” wide and the other one 5” wide. Then yesterday I took some Cordura nylon fabric and made covers with Velcro straps to hold them on the shovels. The 4” was too narrow, which is why I made the 5” one.





The cover keeps the sharp edges from damaging anything in the van, and keeps the shovel from scratching the side wall where it hangs in the truck.