shovel for frozen dirt

[bigfatcha]

im looking to make a strong sharp shovel for breaking thru the permafrost , i was wondering if anyone could post any pics of one they made or bought so i can get a good idea of wat i need to do

 

[nge]

In the past I have used one of those auger type (hand propelled) ice fishing augers. Worked great for up to 5 inches depth. Just remember to stop when you have broken through or you'll risk damaging your target......NGE

 

[dewcon4414]

Well this is strong and sharp. I made it from an old spade using a dremel to cut it. Less than 2 feet long. The tip is designed from my garden digger.... its narrowed up to 9 inches in length. Ive put some teeth notches on one side since then to really CUT. These old spades were made of heavy metal.

Dew

 

[bigfatcha]

i just made one out of a garden spade tht i cut the Handel off and welded it to a piece of 1/2 inch steel pipe and welded a bolt on the side for a step and it works pretty good but today i went out and the ground was like concrete but how hard is the ground tht u guys are digging

 

[goodmore]

Wait for thaw. You will damage lawns, diggers, targets and fingers. Pick the places now and hit them in the Spring. What's the hurry?

 

[bigfatcha]

yea today i must of found a dollar more or less but i couldnt dig it up lol but when i got home theres a 20 ft wide sand pit in my backyard and i tryed in there and found some clad

 

[Ism]

Permafrost?

You in Alaska?

 

[bigfatcha]

no long island lol

 

[Dishtech43]

Super nice shovel..I did kinda the same thing.But I used an old shovel..and used my plasma cutter,and shaped it out,and used grinder to put an edge on it..I agree..cant wait until spring! been shut up too long...need some Metal Detecting.. !!

 

[HRife]

Nice job! I like.....I like!

 

[bigfatcha]

it came out awsome

 

[nge]

Hey Big, what kinda welding is that? I am sure you know how to weld, but that sure looks weak to me, or are you not done with it yet: rolleyes:? Also, did you re-temper your shovel in the weld area, I would sure hate to see your work destroyed the first time you use it, not knocking your work, just curious. Been there, done that ........NGE

 

[bigfatcha]

well to be honest those two squiggles on the side was my dad trying to weld my initials A F on the shovel it was his first time lol but i , the welds for structural support look better in person tho lol but they could be better

 

[nge]

I was referring to the ones attaching the handle to the blade (on the sides) are those mig, tig, arc or heaven forbid gas/oxy, we know what kind of heat that is (scary). They didn't look like much penetration, if they are mig, or arc........NGE The only thing I've been able to get to make decent initials with is mig.

 

[bigfatcha]

o lol i used a mig welder

 

[Barney II]

I use the Technical Notch Trencher lol

 

[ZOFCHAK]

I just ordered one of the new Raven 25 shovels from Predator tools. It looks like it will punch through permafrost, but I'm going to be testing it next week on the frozen ground here in Michigan .

 

[OldBeechnut]

bigfatcha, the old timers use to call that weld,........chicken scratching...you need to slow the wire speed down and turn the heat up just a little, and slant that gun to a 45 degree angle, ...........one thing good about a
MiG welder, even the roughest looking welds are strong as........you know what, let us know how she does...joe

 

[kaptainkosmic]

haven't heard that in a while! lol

no offense meant big

i've on occassion had a flock of pigeons fly over and take a dump in unison!!!!

Steve

 

[nge]

And to think, I used to call it "machine Gunning" Well I learn something new every day....NGE