Homemade Shallow Water Tools ($9 long handle scoop)

[Discrimination Dave]

Im still waiting on my Stingray II.
I'm convinced I'll do well in the water because almost nobody MD's around these parts and people throng to every beach in all but the worst weather. I do have a wife, a 7 year old and a 3 year old and we just bought a beautiful new home last October so my wife is understandably tight with the cash. After having the Tesoro shipped to Japan the cost is nearing $400. I needed to put together some tools that were functional yet I could buy with my own pocket money and not have to hit her up again. Here's what I did. The scoop cost me about $9 and I have about $15 in the floating sifter. The scoop only needs to last me long enough to find about $200 in gold so that I can buy a good scoop. I don't think I could buy a better sifter though.
Give me your estimates on how long you think the scoop will last

Here's what I spent. I converted currency and measurements. I dont have a welder so I was limited.

 

[phantomfinder]

It just goes to show , how great the people in this hobby are , WTG on your water tool .

 

[wodens]

Fair play to you for having a go at making a scoop Time will tell if it holds up to what you want it to do. Good luck!

HH
Alan

 

[dogcaught]

Is that thing made in Japan? Just Kidding. I have complete respect for your vision of seeing everyday objects and wonder how they could be altered to suit TH'ing purposes. I think this is how many great tools have come about. It will be a trial and error process. This may be the first version. You never know, your final version could be a stroke of genius and greatly benefit yourself and the hobby. Stick with it , JJ

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

oledavidboy,

Next to the detector, the scoop is the most valuable and important tool a water hunter uses. No wanting to rain on your parade and the work you put in, but digging in the sand puts a LOT of stress on the scoop, and your version doesn't appear it is going to hold up for more then a few digs. Most good targets are not on the top surface, they sink in the sand as they are heavier then the sand, 6 inches or more is normal for wet sand, and 8-12 inches is common, wet sand is not easy to dig in..........Unless you live on the beach be sure to take a shovel with you as it is real frustrating to make a trip to the beach, and find you can't hunt it because of an equipment malfuntion.....I am speaking from experience, I even carry a back up scoop now...........

Good luck sir...

 

[erikk]

oledavidboy,

Next to the detector, the scoop is the most valuable and important tool a water hunter uses. No wanting to rain on your parade and the work you put in, but digging in the sand puts a LOT of stress on the scoop, and your version doesn't appear it is going to hold up for more then a few digs. Most good targets are not on the top surface, they sink in the sand as they are heavier then the sand, 6 inches or more is normal for wet sand, and 8-12 inches is common, wet sand is not easy to dig in..........Unless you live on the beach be sure to take a shovel with you as it is real frustrating to make a trip to the beach, and find you can't hunt it because of an equipment malfuntion.....I am speaking from experience, I even carry a back up scoop now...........

Good luck sir...

Backup scoop & detector....long ride home if something breaks

 

[Silverhawk]

A good scoop is vital. Even the heavy metal scoops with no brace can break. I doubt a pooper scooper scoop will work. Just my 2 cents.

 

[boogeyman]

Jeeze,

If you're trying to make a tool with pocket change & basic hand tools, a run what cha brung scoop is better than no scoop To the holier than thou people out there, ever wonder what your $150 scoops looked like in the first stages? Ever do any exploring in old mines & see what kind of tools they cobbled together from bea cans & a little screen etc. Ever look in some of the magazines from the 60s & 70s to see what scoops looked like, or what a beach cart is?



The floating sifter looks great for what it cost. An improvement over our old motorcycler innertube around a wood box with 1/2" hardware cloth on the bottom As far as the scoop goes might add a couple strips of metal running from the front sides to a point higher up on the handle to keep it from snapping off. Over all, MacGyver would be proud of ya!!!!

If it breaks & bends, send it to the mods! Maybe they can use it to remedy some of the attitudes.

 

[DrJoePrime]

My 2c worth: Yeah it'll work OK in the dry sand. Wet sand? No way.

Here's one idea: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,339970.0.html

I just bought a 99$ stainless 40ga that I'm installing a handle ... cheap for the quality they usually go for 150$+. He's posted on here and sells them on ebay ..don't have a link right now.

HH Joe

 

[gravediggermax-vabeachva]

Fine fine job on the sifter - scoop......is a 30/30

u waisted money and time of that other thing...............30 / 30............30ft or 30 seconds whatever comes 1st.

pure wastes of good time and energy, but metal detecting is a true learning experience for sure.

good luck......stick with that shovel u said u had.

 

[Bobbie]

You will not be happy when that scoop breaks and you head back home with no loot in hand. Your theory is good but the materials are not. Keep hunting the dry sand and get up enough money for a good water scoop. In the water, your detector is worthless unless you have a good scoop to lift the heavy sand. Use a regular shovel with your sifter, you will be better off.

 

[GibH]

C'mon people, this is an old topic. I'm sure the OP has found out if it held up or not.