california sand

[rustynail1]

I'm getting ready to go to california for my daughters wedding and we are going to be staying right on the beach I needs some ideas on how to make a sturdy and cheap sand scoop.

[fastforty]

There are a few threads in "Make It Or Fix It Yourself" on this topic, but most of them require specialized materials, tools & techniques. If you're going to work dry sand just pick up the sturdiest small wire basket that your local dollar store has (you can even stack 2 or 3 together for strength) & attach them to a stick in any way you can. If you're going to be in wet sand you will need something sturdier. If it was a one-time deal (hunting in salt water) I'd cut the bottom off of a coffee can & tweak the can until I could cram one end of it into the aforementioned wire basket or just cover it with hardware cloth (wire mesh). Try to stay away from drilling a buncha round holes in something- it takes a lotta shaking to get dry sand to go through & it's virtually impossible to sift wet sand no matter how close the holes are together.

What part of Kalifornia are you going to?

[steve in so az]

French fry basket Steve in so az

[Bentfork]

Rusty,
Some grocery stores sell poached egg retrievers. A friend uses one. It doesn't scoop out a lot of sand, but it works good.

Let me know when and where you are. I might be able to hook up with you.

Gary

[rustynail1]

Originally Posted by fastforty

There are a few threads in "Make It Or Fix It Yourself" on this topic, but most of them require specialized materials, tools & techniques. If you're going to work dry sand just pick up the sturdiest small wire basket that your local dollar store has (you can even stack 2 or 3 together for strength) & attach them to a stick in any way you can. If you're going to be in wet sand you will need something sturdier. If it was a one-time deal (hunting in salt water) I'd cut the bottom off of a coffee can & tweak the can until I could cram one end of it into the aforementioned wire basket or just cover it with hardware cloth (wire mesh). Try to stay away from drilling a buncha round holes in something- it takes a lotta shaking to get dry sand to go through & it's virtually impossible to sift wet sand no matter how close the holes are together.

What part of Kalifornia are you going to?

I'm going to San Diego, I thought about a coffee can but was not sure on how sturdy it would be I'll just have to work on it till I get whaty I think will work.

[rustynail1]

Originally Posted by steve in so az

French fry basket Steve in so az

Do you mean the big square ones from Mc donalds

[steve in so az]

Not a huge french fry basket. One small enough to handle but large enough so a dime wont pass through diagonally. Round or square one.You can maybe find one at a thrift shop. steve in so az

[rustynail1]

Originally Posted by steve in so az

Not a huge french fry basket. One small enough to handle but large enough so a dime wont pass through diagonally. Round or square one.You can maybe find one at a thrift shop. steve in so az

I'll look into that one thanks steve

[Paul M.]

Originally Posted by Bentfork

Rusty,
Some grocery stores sell poached egg retrievers.

I'm picturing in my mind one of those things you scoop fish and hushpuppies out of a deep fryer with. A wire mesh ladle? Handle with about a 5 inch flat scoop made of wire.

Might work for a one-day hunt. But don't take my word for it. I've never hunted a beach....yet.

[grnpt_dtekr]

i used a old plastic detergent bottle (with a handle), and drilled a ton of holes in with a drill gun it just a tad smaller than a dime. it took forever to make, and worked ok but i imagine something made out of metal would be much better. just an idea if you get in a jam.

[SeabeeRon]

Originally Posted by Paul M.

I'm picturing in my mind one of those things you scoop fish and hushpuppies out of a deep fryer with. A wire mesh ladle? Handle with about a 5 inch flat scoop made of wire.

Might work for a one-day hunt. But don't take my word for it. I've never hunted a beach....yet.

what Paul described is what I first used until my scoop came. I've seen kitchen culundars and flour scoops with holes punched. Lots of possibilites!
Congrats on the wedding! My baby girl was wed a few years ago, hang in there dad!