Sand scoop advice needed.

[Easylife]

This year I will start beach detecting and am looking to buy a sand scoop or two. I know that certain digging tools are suited to different conditions but until I start I will not know what works best for me. Also there seems to be a strength vs lighter weight trade off. It seems that stainless steel is the main way to go so are the 1.5 or 2mm thick ones a good choice? What about the handle material, stainless or aluminium? Any recommendations?
Any thoughts on this one? Made of 2mm 304 stainless steel, 15 cm w x 25 cm h, 93 cm, 1.6 kg with aluminium handle at £65.

FX150 sand scoop..jpg

Or similar made of 1.5 mm stainless steel weighing 1.1 kg with aluminium handle. or should I go heavier duty?

This must have been asked plenty on here already but I tried the search feature which just said all my words were too common so no results.

[sweepstick47]

Hello 'Easylife', I went for s/steel rather than aluminium due to the weight of a scoop full of wet sand. I made my own long handle and added a short section of pipe (to the heel of the scoop) to enable the scoop to stand upright when letting go of the shaft- (saves much bending to retrieve it).

The added pipe also allows the scoop assembly to be dragged along via a hook'n ring belt fitting, so there's no concern about carrying weight.

My photo's were lost when I closed my photo bucket a/c - but I'll put one up as soon as! If you haven't already looked - check out the MDF Shop for examples available (at a discount) and of course, googling 'stainless steel sand scoops' brings up still more designs.
At the end of the day it boils down to selecting a tool that will cope with your requirements.
All the best - Regards ss47

[Junior]

Evolotion 360 and a £2.50 BROOM HANDLE prob the only thing I havnt had issues with. Brilliant. Will handle soft and wet sand you can cut the handle length to suit yourself and then you don't have to bend over or knee in the wet sand. The 360 I think scoops weight wise enough sand. I wouldn't want the bigger version.

[Machinist]

Evolotion 360 and a £2.50 BROOM HANDLE prob the only thing I havnt had issues with. Brilliant. Will handle soft and wet sand you can cut the handle length to suit yourself and then you don't have to bend over or knee in the wet sand. The 360 I think scoops weight wise enough sand. I wouldn't want the bigger version.

Yes the 360 is a great piece of kit. I have had mine for a few years now and I can not fault it, looks just as good as the day I bought it, not a dent or mark on it.

Ray

[mrix]

Hello here is a list to our very own MDF Shop, scoops section https://www.metaldetectingauction.com/c ... coops/1917

I personally own the Evolution 360 scoop myself with the stainless steel handle, it is a really great tool to use at the beach to use on dry sand or simply using as a digging tool in hard gravel.
If I am to be totally honest it is a little on the heavy side but I would not want to be at the beach without it
These are also listed at the MDF Shop and the cheapest price you will find over the net - Evolution 360 Scoop

Best of luck in whatever you decide on

mrix

[Easylife]

The Evolution 360 does sound a very capable scoop, so what would be the best type of handle material to use for wet sand or does it not matter too much? Thanks.

[Junior]

Mines a lacquered broom handle which to be honest would of been better if it woz plain wood , might put some push bike handle bar tape on it to get a bit of a grip on it as the lacquere is sliippery with gloves on. I assume stainless would be slippery as well. Have seen vid with looks like handlebar tape on hence idea above. The broom handle woz £2.50 so not too much of a lose if i have to tape it

[Yascin]

I just bought today my first sand scoop ever. I end up choosing Evolution Pro Scoop Type R Sand Scoop.

Now i only need to find handle. But i have time for that because my Minelab Equinox first come in april.(i sold my Deux)

https://www.metaldetectingauction.com/l ... oop/103391