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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 14, 2013 9:58:44 GMT -5
When we went Petoskey stone hunting last weekend in Lake Michigan which was partly frozen, we were limited on how deep we could go by our gloves. My son and I both had waders, but we were sharing a pair of neoprene elbow length gloves. We could only reach a little over a foot down without filling the gloves with really cold water. I made a couple of long handled scoops for our next trip. I bought two serving spoons with holes from Walmart. They were on sale for $3 each. I attached one to a scrap of PVC pipe and the other to a piece of bamboo. I think the spoon is a little too light weight and may bend too easily, so I might have to reinforce it somehow or look for a heavier spoon at a garage sale.  |
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,727 
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 14, 2013 10:21:48 GMT -5
Nice idea....................I buy used golf clubs,usually the one and three irons and cut and gut out the centers,drill drain holes through the bottom plate(Dremel tool works the best)...Throw some paint on the lower iron and it works great..
I like your idea too.........The poles do take a beating though,more than a guy thinks..
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 14, 2013 10:38:41 GMT -5
That's a good idea, Fossilman. I might have to hit a few garage sales this summer to see what I can find.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2013 11:14:35 GMT -5
Been picking up potted plants,rocks,critters,trash ,etc,etc for years w/these.Costly but last a lifetime. pillstromtongs.com/1277864.htmlI think Walmart/Home Depot and Harbor Freight got em too.These are top tool heavily used in my bussiness. |
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 14, 2013 12:16:23 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure our local Walmart doesn't carry snake removal tools. For almost all snakes found around here, my hand works pretty well to remove them. We have Massasauga rattlers, but I've never seen one in the wild. That tool doesn't look like it would grab a rock very well. Why don't they slip right out?
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,663
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2013 15:20:05 GMT -5
Yes Rob,but they do have grabbers.Like for utility use,and darn good ones.Usually in kitchen goods for reaching cans and jars.Maybe a search on the net.
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,663
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Post by jamesp on Apr 14, 2013 15:30:59 GMT -5
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Post by jakesrocks on Apr 14, 2013 15:59:48 GMT -5
If you want to use the slotted serving spoon idea, try looking at military surplus. They have large slotted spoons made out of heavy stainless steel.
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Sabre52
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Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,514
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Post by Sabre52 on Apr 14, 2013 18:17:00 GMT -5
I'm a huge fan of the commercial Gem Scoop myself. Both the wife and I use them, they are durable, good walking sticks and keep you from having to put your hand down in the bushes with snakes....Mel
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 14, 2013 18:37:12 GMT -5
Maybe I'll have to get a gem scoop someday. For now, the $3 options seems better than the $60 option. I do think I'll have a problem with it bending though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2013 11:05:05 GMT -5
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Post by drocknut on Apr 15, 2013 11:46:50 GMT -5
I have a gem scoop too, got if from StoneAge Industries. It works great as a scoop and as a walking stick. I only wish it had a grabber too because I tend to drop the rocks before I get the up to where I can see them.
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 15, 2013 12:17:20 GMT -5
Thanks Shotgunner, that's a little cheaper, but I'm 6' 2", so I'd get the longer version. With Shipping it's $53. I might still get one. I'll try mine out next trip to Petoskey, then buy one if mine fail miserably. I don't think I'd use one except when the water is ice cold. Thanks again for the link.
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2013 16:16:00 GMT -5
My homemade jobber was about $ 2.50 to make--LOL.....If I lose it in the drink,no big deal,I just make another one..
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Post by Jugglerguy on Apr 15, 2013 16:25:29 GMT -5
I'm not a golfer, but I just looked at a picture of a one iron, and I don't understand exactly how you modified it. The head of an iron is more vertical than horizontal. Did you bend it so it is more horizontal? It doesn't seem thick enough to make much of a scoop. Did you grind away one side to make it more spoon-like? Do you have a picture?
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2013 18:08:44 GMT -5
I can sure get some pics for you...........How about tomorrow??? I use 1's and 3 irons,some are wood based,I stay clear of those irons...
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2013 18:32:35 GMT -5
Well didn't wait...LOL Ok,this is the 1 iron club....I just take a dremel and cut the top plate off with a cutting wheel,gut it out,grind off all sharp ends. Drill holes on bottom plate for draining water..I than paint the club any color I choose..(it doesn't matter if they are left or righthanded clubs)   Ok,this is the # 3 club....must bigger,but same use....This one needs more mods done to it,to be a better pick-up for rocks....   |
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 15, 2013 18:42:17 GMT -5
Its nothing fancy and it works pretty slick!!!! When I buy the clubs the golfers ask me why I want old clubs,I tell them "just to cut them up"..LOL
I'm not a golfer either,I would rather pick up rocks with them than swing at a little ball with them...LOL
I make most of my rockhounding tools,some are just overpriced,so I refuse to pay the price tag on them!
(No pun intended for others that do)...
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,663
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Post by jamesp on Apr 15, 2013 19:07:49 GMT -5
That pocket is perfect.Bet that is light weight and strong.Well done.
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,727
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Post by Fossilman on Apr 16, 2013 10:03:54 GMT -5
That pocket is perfect.Bet that is light weight and strong.Well done. Works great James! I'm not into style,just want to get the job done!  |
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