The Shovel Discussion Thread!

allout said:
That is a lot of cutoff wheel cutting. After seeing on Myth Busters the exploding CD show I now have even more respect for a fragile wheel moving that fast, one half the mass velocity squared is not your friend.
:D

If I did something like this with that much cutting I would like to water cool the blade every now and then. However, I would be concerned how the Dremel cutoff wheels would respond to any moisture.

Because a shovel like tool has a lower hardness value, does this mean that losing some is not that big a deal or because it was low to start with there is less room for error?
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Not really either. It's still a big deal but there's still good room for error. If it gets uncomfortably hot to the touch dip it in some water for a few seconds. The cutoff wheel will still work fine if it gets a little damp, so no worries there. Just cut a little out from where you want it finished (about 1mm I'd say) so that you have a little wiggle room if you make a mistake, and when filing/grinding it to finish it out you're automatically going to go past any zone that might have been heat affected.

It's not as complex as some folks make it sound. :)
 
I'll take my time with the wheel then sharpen with a file. The handle is pretty well destroyed, I thought about trying to patch the "D" with some wood, but it's likely not worth the effort. Also thinking about fitting a plastic "D" to it, I have one from a broken snow shovel, but I haven't decided yet.
 
Also, when I say "bent blade" I means it's been folded in half, and bent back straight, the picture doesn't show it, but the blade is really destroyed.
Otherwise I would never consider cutting up a cool old tool like this. I also found a couple of shovels with, (no joke) Ten Foot Long handles. Not sure, but I think they are for working at the bottom of a utility hole, like a water shut off or something. One of them has a really cool spoon shape to it. I'll post pics of those also, since you guys seem to like that kind of thing.
 
I know exactly what those long ones are for because of the work I do in MS4 environmental compliance. They're catch basin (storm drain) cleanout spoons. They used to be used back in the day before vacuum trucks, and are still used for out-of-the way basins inaccessible by other means.
 
Outhouses usually weren't cleaned out. You'd just dig a new hole and move the outhouse. That's what I'd do! :)
 
[video=youtube;wisFUOxVUHs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wisFUOxVUHs[/video]

What shovel thread would be complete without a video of Russian shovel combative training? Notice the sped-up video during the massive brawl at around the 3:00 min. mark. They cut the sound as a result but failed to overdub it with the Benny Hill music that so very much deserved to be there.

And as a disclaimer the shovel master is featured prominently on the POW Network's Hall of Shame, so I wouldn't advise signing up for any of his Shovel-Fu classes.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
LOL--they'd REALLY run in the presence of my Predator. :D

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The fiberglass-over-wood handle of the Bully Tools rice shovel is an advantage in this case over the all steel of the Predator, though, as the mud is already heavy enough, and doesn't require the same force to pierce as the compacted hard soil that I use the Predator for.
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42 Blades- Just went to their website & did not see the one you have listed. Saw the predator, but could not find the one with saw on one side only. Any help ?
 
The name of that model is the Big Red--Diamond Point, and it comes plain-edged in its stock configuration. I sent George (the owner) an email and asked him if he'd be able to put serrations on the left (when in use) side and he said sure thing! Only cost me an extra $10 at the time, though it may have changed since then. George is a great guy to deal with and I can't recommend him highly enough. He'll even change the length of the handle if you want. I know one fellow ordered a Raven with a shorter handle from him. :):thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I know exactly what those long ones are for because of the work I do in MS4 environmental compliance. They're catch basin (storm drain) cleanout spoons. They used to be used back in the day before vacuum trucks, and are still used for out-of-the way basins inaccessible by other means.
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We call them 'deep hole shovels'.
 
Yeah, though you won't be digging anything more than sludge with them unless you like hernias! Definitely for pre-existing holes only. :D
 
LOL! :D Personally I'm right-handed and use my left foot to plant the shovel, so the holes are in the right place for me. You could always just make yourself a boot iron, though, and be done with it. It's essentially a steel plate that you tie to the underside of your boot for stepping on the shovel. Used to keep folks from wearing through their leather soles!
 
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