Question about sand scoops

[MinelabMan]

I bought a 2 piece aluminum sand scoop to take to the beach last month. After the first day of use, my hand was black from the aluminum. After the first day, I wrapped it with electrical tape and it held up well for the entire week.

I've since bought some gray heat shrink tubing that I'll put on it (I think it would be pretty durable) unless a better idea comes along.

I'm interested in anyone's feelings on this and my question is: Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do about it?

[The TINMAN]

The 2 long handled scoops I use both have like a Bicycle handle bar grip on them. On one the handle would work it's way off but a little super glue fixed that. Don't know what diameter tubing you have but that may be something to look at. Hope this helps.

The TINMAN

[MinelabMan]

Hi Tinman and thanks for the response.

I have the heavy aluminum (1-1/4" diameter) RTG scoop, it's 48" total length and the shaft comes apart for travel.

I have a smaller one that the grip slips off and I just put some silicone on it and it's fine and I only use the grip on that one, this one also has the grip, but being that it's long I carry it towards the middle for balance and in the salt water, when I get a full scoop, I lift it lower on the aluminum shaft which turns my hand black.

Unless I get a better idea, I'm just going to put the heat shrink over the bare aluminum, the electrical tape worked fine but it's hard to remove after it's been on for awhile especially if it gets scraped, and is also messy.

[Gizmo]

How about pvc tubing slipped over the handle? Just a thought,the best of luck to you and HH........Richard

[MinelabMan]

Hi Richard, I think PVC would certainly be tough enough, but may be too heavy and would require glue or something to keep it from "spinning" on the shaft. Thanks for your input though

[bbqcook]

Minelabman, this is what I did to mine. It seems to be working well so far.
I added a tether so I could drag it, serves 2 purposes, frees up one hand and marks where you been as it drags.
Put a rivet on each side to hold the handle on.

[MinelabMan]

Thanks bbqcook, the tether is a good idea, I think I'll do that. It would also be helpful when trying to dig in the water.

Does your hand ever get dirty from the aluminum shaft when lifting a full scoop out of the water?

[The TINMAN]

I Think my one big scoop is 1 1/4" and I'm thinking if you get one of those hand grips, you could cut the enclosed end off, slide it down to where you want it & a little super glue would keep it there. I say this as I like the Little bumps to grip so it doesn't spin when I'm using it. Gives me a little more control over the scoop. The Shrink plastic sounds like a good Idea to.

The TINMAN

[pris]

Hey, not trying to be a smarty pants, but try wearing some gloves. I wonder if it's an allergic reaction to the metal.

[MinelabMan]

Originally Posted by The TINMAN

I Think my one big scoop is 1 1/4" and I'm thinking if you get one of those hand grips, you could cut the enclosed end off, slide it down to where you want it & a little super glue would keep it there. The TINMAN

That's something that I hadn't thought of, I'll definitely consider that option. Thanks Tinman!

Originally Posted by pris

Hey, not trying to be a smarty pants, but try wearing some gloves. I wonder if it's an allergic reaction to the metal.

Hey Pris, after a week of beach detecting, I already have white ears from the headphones. If I wear gloves I'll have white hands also. I guess I could just wear one glove on my scoop hand for that Michael Jackson look .

I don't know, but don't think that it's a allergic reaction. I kinda think it has something to do with the salt water and aluminum. I think I read or heard something about that from someone selling stainless scoops, but I like the weight of the aluminum.