Project 1 from Steve

[Steve]

I know I posted this before....but I did not know I had to post as a project number so I did make it while the contest had already started. If it is not allowed, please let me know. I am building 4 more of these scoops so while this one may not qualify, I am sure my 4 new ones will.

One of my hobbies in metal detecting. Specifically water and beach hunting in Florida in the winter. One of the tools of the trade is a sand scoop. It makes it really easy to dig in the wet and dry sand and in the water. It can be very profitable as last winter, I found several gold rings and sold them just recently for a good amount of cash.

I had purchased a few years ago a commercially made scoop but I was not all that happy with it. I knew what I wanted so I decided to design and build my own scoop.

It is made out of 1/8 aluminum for the base, stainless steel lip for easier digging, a 3/32 aluminum plate attachment point for the handle and 1 inch schedule 40 aluminum pipe for the handle.

I cut the aluminum and the stainless steel with the Powerplasma 50. Man O man......so sweet. I cannot be more happy with the Powerplasma 50. Eventually I'm going to build a CNC table and system to use it to its full potential. For now, its using straight edges and hands.

Welded it up with the Powertig 250EX. I have not had extensive experience with aluminum tig welding so I figure....why practice on something that will just end up at the junkyard. Why not practice on something that may be able to make some money while getting the time under the hood.

The Powertig 250EX is so friggin nice. At first I had some problems with bad gas. Got that straighten out. Woooo Doggy......it sure is nice being able to weld just about any metal.

Here's some photos of the almost finished scoop.....I still need to weld up some supports for the handle. I have posted these in the near past....but I did not enter the project correctly. Sorry.........