ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
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Post by ziggy on Dec 29, 2016 15:50:06 GMT -5
I think a combination of tools is best for digging in those piles . As you said , digging is difficult at best . Know anyone who does any metal fabrication ? I took an old D - handle shovel like in your pic and made a metal detecting digging shovel . Look online , ebay has a lot , for Lesche shovel . That is basically what I made . I cut the blade down to 8" long and put a point on it , gradual point , then cut the handle off and welded a steel handle with D-handle on it . The shovel blade is 5 1/2 wide and 8 long , 28" overall length . Could use factory handle but mine was real wobbly and the blade was curled over from abuse . And when traveling , having shorter tools can be a plus . Also look around for a prospecting pick , they make several different sizes . Kingsley has a few but there are a lot of varieties out there . Love the mine pile pics , gotta get back there . Checked out the shovel you mentioned. They seem a little pricey for what they are. Hubby however is a retired fabricator/machine builder. He has built all kinds of glass industry machines as well as custom chopper motorcycles and custom one off pedal bicycles. Two of his custom bikes were on the old Hardcore Pawn TV show in Detroit a couple of years ago at the request of the shows producer. One of them shoots a ten foot flame out from behind the seat. I'm sure he can modify a cheaper shovel we can pick up at Home Depot. We have our eyes on an Estwing rock pick for less than $20.00 on ebay. Now that he's retired we have to watch how we spend. Below is a video of hubby's Hardcore Pawn appearance. He didn't want to sell the bikes so he set a high price and refused to come down. He just took them there because the producer saw them when hubby had them for sale one time on Craigs List and called him up to see if he would bring them on the show. In this video he shoots the flame It was like 97 degrees that day and humid as heck.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 29, 2016 16:38:27 GMT -5
Cool bikes !!!
No , I wasn't suggesting buying one of those shovels , just giving you an idea of what I made . I modeled mine off theres . For that price you could get another night at the White House . They also make mini shovels , look like a regular shovel but smaller . I think the ones I have are about 24" or so long and the blade about 6" wide . Home Depot or most bigger home improvement or hardware stores have them .
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ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
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Post by ziggy on Dec 29, 2016 21:08:47 GMT -5
For that price you could get another night at the White House . LOL True, and that would then be money well spent.
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Post by MrMike on Dec 30, 2016 12:21:11 GMT -5
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 30, 2016 12:46:55 GMT -5
Thanks Mike , I was trying to remember what they called those . I have one but never used on a mine pile but I think it would work pretty good . a 3 prong might be better but don't know if they make such a thing .
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ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
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Post by ziggy on Dec 30, 2016 13:46:21 GMT -5
I do believe I might just get me a pitchfork and give it a shot. Thanks MrMike.
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vera
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 259
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Post by vera on Dec 30, 2016 13:55:23 GMT -5
That was a spading or potato fork. Pitchforks have thinner tines and would be useless. The handle on my potato fork is probably not strong enough for digging in rock piles, but if replaced by a denser wood it may work.
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Post by MrMike on Dec 30, 2016 17:30:32 GMT -5
Thanks Mike , I was trying to remember what they called those . I have one but never used on a mine pile but I think it would work pretty good . a 3 prong might be better but don't know if they make such a thing . I beleive only Satan carries the 3 prong type....
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ziggy
spending too much on rocks
Member since June 2016
Posts: 483
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Post by ziggy on Dec 30, 2016 17:40:59 GMT -5
That was a spading or potato fork. Pitchforks have thinner tines and would be useless. The handle on my potato fork is probably not strong enough for digging in rock piles, but if replaced by a denser wood it may work. My bad.
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Post by wigglinrocks on Dec 30, 2016 17:47:20 GMT -5
Thanks Mike , I was trying to remember what they called those . I have one but never used on a mine pile but I think it would work pretty good . a 3 prong might be better but don't know if they make such a thing . I beleive only Satan carries the 3 prong type.... Then 4 prongs it is , don't want to be seen out and about with 3 prongs
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