Sand Scoop Finish

[cottlad]

Just bought a scoop from the auction site which arrived yesterday. Went out to buy a broom handle for it and all were too small. The hole in the scoop is a rather large 35mm. So anyone got any ideas where to get a 35mm handle?
I ended up at the garden centre and found a 35mm tree stake which I plan to sand down a little and neaten up.
With it being wood, I'm considering trying to weather/sea proof it by a few coats of varnish and maybe some sort of sealant where the stem goes in to stop salt water getting in and sitting there. Maybe a good glug of silicone before I slide the stem in would do the trick?

What do you do? Should I just attach it and crack on, or is rotting a valid problem?

Other idea was to fit a spade handle to the top if I can find a 35mm one.

What ya think?

[neverneverman]

Who's scoop did you buy ?

[David Hun]

Hi, A tree stake is designed to be stuck in the ground, so it most likely has been soaked in a preservative to stop bugs/fungus destroying it already. A varnish or silicon may help in stopping it becoming too waterlogged with continual use, and may keep it looking nicer, but probably not essential.

That's my guess anyhow

David

[oliver]

Get hold of a ash handle this will last longer soak the end in boiled linseed oil but it will still rot out in time i have to change my one every year.Fleeby you can get a good ash handle for around £7.00 mahl handle.Broom handle is useless good for a broom though I have now fitted a full ss handle to my Muck scoop bit heavy but wont break.

[cottlad]

Who's scoop did you buy ?

Was from Muck The Digger

[cottlad]

Just found a 1300 x 35mm ash shovel handle online.
These would do the job right?

[jeff2010]

If it was one of our scoops (muck the digger) let me know and I,ll send you a link for a hardwood shaft
Jeff

[cottlad]

If it was one of our scoops (muck the digger) let me know and I,ll send you a link for a hardwood shaft
Jeff

It was Jeff.
I've just sanded down the tree stake and it's actually quite a good fit but don't know how long it will last. Bit worried also about the warning label advising using gloves due to the insecticide it's treated with. Gawd knows what inhaling the dust when sanding will do to me...... might cheer me up I suppose

Anyways, a link would be great as i'll get another handle anyway as a spare

[Martin B]

An old radio engineers trick for preserving wood (when used as aerial insulators) is to put the wood into a tin of boiling parafin wax (ie on the heat!) for an hour or two. It will become thoroughly impregnated with wax and be pretty much impervious!

[Devonboy]

Hi, I have a scoop like yours, I used a hardwood pitch fork handle purchased from a farm store, just had to shave a little off the bottom so it would fit into the tube snugly. I gave it few coats of Danish oil prior to fitting. I must say I find the scoop very good.

Tony

[komet]

i use a long shovel shaft get them from farmer stores. i think most tree stakes are soft wood and will not last long. weight is the clue. hardwoods will last longer. i just used 3 coats of linseed oil. no problems yet, just wash with tap water after using get the salt off.

[littleboot]

I have to admit I use a plastic colander. It works really well and I can waft it right under the coil. I hate spending money and I don't mind bending because its cheap!