Sand scoops

Working sandy beaches or shallow water is easy with the right sand scoop and you don't have to spend a lot of money to have one. A short trip to the hardware store and you can have a good one in an hours time. Buy the smallest piece of 1/2 inch galvanized hardware cloth that you can because two square feet will build this scoop with some to spare. Cut out a rectangle piece 14 inches long by 7 1/2 inches wide. Roll the piece to allow 1/2 inch overlap and mark out a circle on the remaining hardware cloth for the bottom. Cut out the bottom which should be a 4 1/4 inch diameter circle. It is necessary to find or buy a small piece of 1/2 white wood for a handle. Construction sites abound with these that are thrown into the scrap pile. Cut out the handle 7 1/2 inches long with a curved back and drill out a starter hold where the fingers go and use a jigsaw to finish the handgrip. If you don't have a jigsaw just drill holes to outline the grip and chisel it out. When I first built my scoop I did not include the galvanized lip and I noticed that wet sand would bend it some so I found a hot water heater vent laying around in the garage and cut out the galvanized lip to firm up the scoop where it could be used in wet sand or under shallow water. The hardware store will have some galvanized sheet metal or just buy a heater vent and use it. Cut the strait edge 7 inches long and make the tapered lip 4 inches deep. I just used tin snips to cut out the shape without a pattern. Screw the handle onto the hardware cloth with seven 1 inch wood screws and washers. Use brass or galvanized ones so they will not rust. This attaches the handle so it is very sturdy and can take some abuse and not break. Solder the bottom onto the scoop and bend the sharp wires around so they will not stick you. Solder the galvanized tin onto the front bottom of the scoop as shown in the picture. I painted my handle but it is not necessary. You will be surprised how fast you can scoop up a coin or piece of jewelry out of the sand and the scoop is very light and small enough that it will not get in your way when you metal detect. I ran a bead of solder around the galvanized tin where I cut it as further insurance so it would not rust and I have not had any rust or corrosion problems. Scooping is faster than digging and beach hunts almost always pickup pulltabs so this is the most efficient way for you to retrieve your treasures. The scoop works its best in dry sand or under water but it will work in wet sand, it's just a little slower digging.