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Gold Prospecting
Alluvial Gold Prospecting
Wet Prospecting Shovels - information and questions
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<blockquote data-quote="Guest" data-source="post: 111397"><p>Make your wooden handle last much longer by giving it a little tlc. They nearly always break where they go into the spade or shovel head. </p><p>Why? </p><p>Because it gets wet constantly and then dries out. Just like an old wooden boat.</p><p>The wood loses any residual moisture and then becomes brittle. </p><p>My shovels last up to 5 years. I usually wear out the steel part first. </p><p>I use a 50/50 mix of gum turpentine (not mineral turps) and boiled linseed oil. </p><p>Its just like the old days when you bought a new cricket bat. You had to oil it regularly or it would split.</p><p>I lightly sand the handle when I bring the new shovel home then over the next week I oil it twice a day, using a rag soaked in the oil/turps solution. I very lightly sand the handle between each coat with 400 grit wet and dry paper. </p><p>After the final coat lightly sand it again then let it sit in the corner for another week.</p><p>When you use it for the first time you will be amazed at how smooth the handle is, and it will last much much longer.</p><p>And I agree with golddig, the cyclone is a good one to use. The wood in the handle is a much better quality than most.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Guest, post: 111397"] Make your wooden handle last much longer by giving it a little tlc. They nearly always break where they go into the spade or shovel head. Why? Because it gets wet constantly and then dries out. Just like an old wooden boat. The wood loses any residual moisture and then becomes brittle. My shovels last up to 5 years. I usually wear out the steel part first. I use a 50/50 mix of gum turpentine (not mineral turps) and boiled linseed oil. Its just like the old days when you bought a new cricket bat. You had to oil it regularly or it would split. I lightly sand the handle when I bring the new shovel home then over the next week I oil it twice a day, using a rag soaked in the oil/turps solution. I very lightly sand the handle between each coat with 400 grit wet and dry paper. After the final coat lightly sand it again then let it sit in the corner for another week. When you use it for the first time you will be amazed at how smooth the handle is, and it will last much much longer. And I agree with golddig, the cyclone is a good one to use. The wood in the handle is a much better quality than most. [/QUOTE]
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Gold Prospecting
Alluvial Gold Prospecting
Wet Prospecting Shovels - information and questions
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