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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 18, 2012 21:27:54 GMT -5
I'm already planning for spring, so it's going to be a long winter. Last year, I drove across the state to Petoskey to look for Petoskey stones. It was very early spring, but it was hot. I went wading barefoot in a very, very cold Lake Michigan and found about a dozen stones. Later in the summer, I made another trip to look for Petoskey stones, but everything was covered in a brown algae, so it was impossible to pick out the Petoskeys. So this spring I plan to make another trip in the early spring after the ice has moved the rocks around and before the algae gets them.. I'm worried that after a 2 hour trip, the water is going to be rough and I'll miss my opportunity.
So I had an idea. Sometimes my ideas aren't good ideas, so I thought I'd run it by you guys. I was thinking of making sort of a diving mask on a stick. My plan is to cut most of the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket out and silicone in a piece of tempered glass. I'd attach a stick to the side, so I could hold the bucket in the water without bending over. This way, I could get a good view of the rocks without getting too wet, even if the water is rough. Does this sound like a good idea or not?
Rob
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Post by mohs on Dec 18, 2012 21:44:08 GMT -5
sound like a plan
try it out
you'll have time to perfect it
puts some rocks in bathtub
I'd say dirty rocks that need cleaning
to muck up the water
but that wouldn't particularly be smart :nono:
letting the water go down the drain
but you get the idea
petosky are a fave
good luck
Ed
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Post by catmandewe on Dec 18, 2012 23:52:07 GMT -5
Sounds like a killer idea to me.
You can buy an underwater camera on a stick, we have one for searching underwater for search and rescue, but they are pretty expensive. Your idea sounds good and cheap.
Tony
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adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
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Post by adrian65 on Dec 18, 2012 23:55:51 GMT -5
Genial ideas are too simple to think about. That's one of them. Thanks for sharing.
Adrian
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Post by snowdog on Dec 19, 2012 0:01:04 GMT -5
Rob --- instead of a bucket, use a piece of pvc pipe -- that way you can make it long enough to stand up and use ( could also put a "tee" in it to make handles to hold onto) --- might want to check the gold forums/ sales as several use them to hunt gold nuggets underwater ( might get some ideas ) ;D
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Post by Woodyrock on Dec 19, 2012 2:30:54 GMT -5
I made a 'glass bottom bucket' from eight inch pvc with a lexan window, to search for pink limb cast in Oregon a few years back. It worked great, except the rocks were well covered with slime. Had to turn the rocks over to see what they were. A small garden rake would have been nice.
Woody
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Dora
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2012
Posts: 252
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Post by Dora on Dec 19, 2012 5:26:40 GMT -5
Your idea is great but I’m concerned about you getting in there while the water is rough. I really hope that you will be going there with a friend. Please be careful and have a great time, hopefully you will get loads and loads of Petoskey stones to share with all! :cheesy:
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 19, 2012 7:15:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the PVC pipe idea. I'll check that out.
Dora, the water is really shallow and drops off slowly, so you don't have to worry about me drowning.
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Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Dec 19, 2012 14:39:10 GMT -5
I don't think you need the lexan or glass, unless you're intentionally displacing the water so you have less to look through. I've used a bucket with the bottom cut out to look for agates in the Mississippi.
Chuck
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2012 19:24:53 GMT -5
If you wear rubber boots or the rubber fishing pants/boots you can kick the rocks around. In a creek the water clears real fast but I do not know about in a lake.
Also, If you intend to push the thing down very far it would probably be better to have one of the handles higher than the other so the thing will not be able to spin away because of the water displacement trying to make it float.
Jim
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shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
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Post by shermlock on Dec 19, 2012 20:39:17 GMT -5
I use a pvc tube as mentioned. It works like a charm! There is a special weldon glue you can buy to bond pvc to acrylic. I use mine all the time.
Scott
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Post by Pat on Dec 19, 2012 20:53:39 GMT -5
Sounds good to me!
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
Posts: 1,343
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Post by panamark on Dec 19, 2012 22:18:33 GMT -5
The PVC works great, but I would recommend you put some heavy weights around the bottom edge too. Otherwise you will get tired quick from constantly pushing it down in the water. You can play with the amount of weight until it floats by itself at just the right depth you want. It is kind of fun using this reverse para-scope - use your feet to push rocks around.
Good luck. - Mark
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,602
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Post by jamesp on Dec 22, 2012 19:16:12 GMT -5
Sight devices are commonly used in southern rivers.Eight inch thin wall pvc is great.It will surprise you how much of a problem glare is.Darkish water/brightish sky.-OR-you can purchsae one of these Jugglerman www.clearinflatablekayak.com/clear-canoes.html |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,602
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Post by jamesp on Dec 22, 2012 21:01:35 GMT -5
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Post by Jugglerguy on Dec 23, 2012 0:07:01 GMT -5
I found this video on how to make an underwater viewer similar to the koi viewer in your link. I really like the clear bottom kayak, except for the price tag! Rob |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,602
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Post by jamesp on Dec 23, 2012 3:51:51 GMT -5
Hunting rocks in water is abig deal here in S Georgia and Florida.Waiting for low water in summer is a great time to go here.Escape the heat too.Narrow rivers are usually best.The sun is important for good viewing.East west sections are in the sun a lot,other turns in the river are best followed w/the sun.My favorite is 18-36 inch deep water using a snorkel and be a lazy floating rock collecting blob.Lots of these rivers are huge springs and the water stays 72 F,so the hotter the air temp the better.Lots of people use a window box similar to the
YOUTUBE video device but more lie a cut in half 10 gallon aquarium.
I think you have cold water in windy conditions.The sight pipe seems best,but i like atleast 6 inch pipe so you are comfortable using two eyes.Mine is 8 inch fiberglass with side handles and light.Small car battery in kayak,kayak tied to me.Light is high power from airplane,Q-beam does well to.And use waders if it's cold.Good luck.Sunny days helps.Low wind good too.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2012 7:40:35 GMT -5
Cool tool James. I love home made because it makes people think and use a little inginudity.
Jim
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,602
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Post by jamesp on Dec 23, 2012 22:08:29 GMT -5
Cool rocks have a strong driving force wampidy!
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Dec 24, 2012 10:10:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to youtube. It's a perfect basis for any size viewer.
James we use a similar set up for aircraft lights when gigging for flounder. Really nice lighting.
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