Popular Post kac Posted January 25, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 25, 2021 First proto, I will be testing. 4 1/4" x 10" blade, 40" overall. 2.15 lbs. Integrated foot peg so it doesn't hang up, couple root cutters to reduce side kick. Thoughts? 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
water spider Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 well done i like it. Can i get one 38" w/D handle? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick N. MI Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Looks great. I like it. It looks like it will work great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogodog Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Looks good, but thinking your hand digger handle design would be great. If it is as tough as the hand digger I'm in !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kac Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 Handle options should be available since I don't mass produce them, just have to find a source for the d handles. Either I or buddy will be testing this one soon, weather pending as were going to get some snow. I'm sure there will be some revisions. Had almost a dozen versions of my hand digger before I settled on the design. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kac Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 Little update. Took the digger out for a test run, hit local woods and though I didn't find anything the digger worked incredibly well. The blade tracks straight and does not side kick on ya when hitting small roots making it very easy to control. Hight for me is just about perfect. Foot peg is comfortable but will adjust. Takes 3 easy steps to make a nice plug. Handle I chose the grip tends to slip a little so will glue it though others are asking for different handle types. The fiberglass rod does flex a little but doesn't seem to be an issue. Granted I was digging in semi frozen ground. Blade is super sturdy. last thing is I will adjust the foot peg/bracket so it is slightly wider and meets the depth of the back of the blade. Possibly weld on some cleats. My foot didn't slip at all but couple cleats will give ya bit of grip. One my local detecting buddies will put it through it's paces when he heads out but of course were getting hit with snow :( 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe D. Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Great next step Kac, Looks sturdy! A little flex in the shaft is not a bad thing! It can be further stiffened with a dowel insert, or something! I've done that on my patio umbrellas aluminum shafts,(with an electrical pvc insert) that tend to fold in a heavy wind! Now the umbrella will break, before the shaft does! It would also be cool if you could etch or sandblast your logo onto the blade! BTW, i love the hand digger! Works great! But i prefer a 36"- 38" type digger, because i can lean on it as i stand up from digging! The knees aren't what they used to be! Keep up the good work!! Looking forward to the finished product!?? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebulanoodle Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Very fine looking workmanship! Admiring the constuction of the digger head. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kac Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 Thanks. I am looking into carbon shafts, might have to hit up Steve G for those as he has one for the sand scoops. Bit of flex isn't bad so long as it isn't flexing at the connection where the steel could crack the fiberglass. I thought of making plugs but that just pushes the possible fracture point up further. Another way create a slit ferrule on the metal then wrap over but again the shaft if it flexes may just be further up but would be gradule. I am really happy with the stout spade point, worked well scooping out the hole without getting down on the ground. So blade is a keeper, foot peg/brace needs some tweaking, need to settle on shaft which will determine handle styles available. I hear ya on using it to get up. My knees are junk and hip not so good. Sucks getting old eh? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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