Digging tools question

[daw1zard]

Hi All,

possible a silly question, but if am am to but a shovel and a pick for fossicking, what would be the best suggested tools to get.

Regards

Troy

[moonshadow_dancer]

Hi All,

possible a silly question, but if I am to buy a shovel and a pick for fossicking, what would be the best suggested tools to get.

Regards

Troy

Hi Troy,

I would get,
a good solid shovel,
a nice heavy double pointed Pick
A Crow Bar
A set of Sieves

But depends i guess on what you are fossicking for, I know I would also want a Willoughby and perhaps a throw sieve or shaker. But better still I would fork out $20 any day to go get a bucket of wash from Armfest, as we got approx 5 buckets of wash from there and I just weighed up our tally so far and we have 2010 cts of Sapphires and Zircons.

Take care,
Deb

[TG]

This is a very personal question for it depends on your style of fossicking. I prefer a short handled shovel with a narrower head. I usually cut a foot and a half off the handles of my shovels and put a bench in if needed for extra depth. As for a pick, I've got a small one handed mini mattock style. I also have two crow bars, a light 4 foot one for repeated work and a 6 foot (bend your knees to pick up) that I can jam under things and hook the car on too.

[Wwoofa]

Hi Troy,
I recommend a trenching shovel ... narrower & with high sides.  These are excellent for getting between rocks etc because they fit into smaller holes and the gravel doesn't fall off the sides.  A normal shovel would be needed for removing overburden etc so you really need both.  I replaced the wooden handle with a steel one for extra strength.
Regards, Paul

[daw1zard]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the quick replies. I currently have 2 sieves, of differing sizes, a few gold pans and a small scoop i thought would come in handy.

From below it seems a short trenching shovel and some form of mattock is also needed, which i shall visit bunnings for. I will look into the crowbar as well however i might start with the first two items.

I failed in getting up to beechworth last month, and once my new caravan arrives i am planning to head up to Glen inness with the kids (after seeing all the great field trip photos).

Thanks again
Troy

[Barrett]

A good mattock is a must..

[Jimnyjerry]

Tools depends on the terrain and what you are looking for.
Wet or Dry, Hard or Soft, Sand, Clay or Rocky, eg:

Agate Ck: bucket or sack, leather gloves, long handled shovel, miners picks.

Yarrow Ck: sieves, long handled shovel and trenching shovel, yabby pump, swimmers/wadders.

O'Briens Ck: sieves and shaker, long handled shovel, trowel, pick.

Tomahawk Ck: sieves and shaker, willoughby/large water tub, long handled shovel, trowel, pick, lots of water, dustpan.

Blue Hill Quarry: leather gloves, crowbar, chisels, pick, big hammer, bandaids.

[calxoddity]

... and, of course, a Cunning Plan (piano accordian optional) 

[Barrett]

Hi All,

possible a silly question, but if am am to but a shovel and a pick for fossicking, what would be the best suggested tools to get.

Regards

Troy

if you can afford it an 80,000pound(36,363KG) trackhoe is really the best

[mehoose]

You're BAD 

[moonshadow_dancer]

That's what I needed out at Tomahawk Creek when I got excited by the wash and grabbed the pick, and gave a good swing and jarred every bone in my body.

That ground is like cement hehe.

[mehoose]

That's a very misleading term that...wash, sounds like it should be a quick rinse and lay out to dry. 

[moonshadow_dancer]

Gee your right Wonder what non-fossicking people would make of all this if the happened upon the forum

[mehoose]

We're neanderthals, no power, dry washing.

[oldlrnut]

Indispensable, they just don't work quite as well when converted to pedal power to comply with NSW state forest rules. http://www.miniexcavators.com.au/ModCore/shop/backend/images_products/456/ac18unit154.jpg