YASM (Yet Another Shovel Mod)

[Swing-a-ling]

This was quick and easy...
Got a $10 short Ames shovel at Lowes. I simply ground the roundness out of the tip and
sharpened it. It seems to work a lot better at cutting a clean plug. I am only using it to
go in about 4"-5". That way I don't wind up messing up the edges of the plug with the
contoured portion of the blade (as Ice Scratcher has pointed out in other shovel mod
threads). I then flip the plug and continue with my hand digger. I also added a 'not for
climbing' caribiner to attach it to my belt.

Total time for the blade modification: about 10 minutes.
Total time for tying on the carabiner: about 15 minutes. (lol)

Overall length of the shovel is about 26"
Length and width of the spade portion is about 8" x 5-1/2"
Weight is about 1-3/4 lbs.

Feel free to post pics of YOUR shovel mods here!

 

[mooncalfmetal]

Like what you did with the tip and adding the clip,, good idea. I too have that same Ames shovel and use the snot out of it but that D handle is junk. Been trying to come up with some better on the cheep.

 

[mooncalfmetal]

Like what you did with the tip and adding the clip,, good idea. I too have that same Ames shovel and use the snot out of it but that D handle is junk. Been trying to come up with some better on the cheep.

 

[Ice Scratcher]

Good looking little digger there!!

<*)))>{

 

[Longhair]

I took my $5 TSC Chinese shovel in a slightly different direction.

 

[Swing-a-ling]

Nicely done, Longhair!
No root cutting serrations...
I was going to add some, but decided it would look too aggressive. I want people at ease!

 

[Longhair]

Nicely done, Longhair!
No root cutting serrations...
I was going to add some, but decided it would look too aggressive. I want people at ease!

Thought about adding the serrations, but if I can't cut 'em with the Lesche then they're too big to damage. I also pry some tough stuff (stones and such), so I didn't want to weaken it. I just wanted to narrow it to be able to cut smaller holes w/o losing the tread width.