New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

 

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sycotoad  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 10:35:12 AM(UTC)
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Edited by user Sunday, 11 August 2013 12:24:26 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Makro - Nokta - deteknix - GoldFinder
Foiled again  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 11:57:19 AM(UTC)
Foiled again

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I had one of these (maybe not this brand name) thinking itll be great but it was shit. Infact I had one I found at work and the cheap metal wore and wouldnt stay straight and another I bought which wouldnt even pierce the ground properly and made a mess of it all. You'd definitely have to get the grinder to the blade and narrow and sharpen it before using it.
Just my experience.
There's another to find and I'm gunna find it!
rgmcbrid  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 12:08:43 PM(UTC)
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I had that exact tool! Blade bent almost immediately and after a week or so broke off altogether. I still have the handle with the pick part. Would not recommend it because the poor quality, get something with hardened steel.
Lammerlaw  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 12:39:13 PM(UTC)
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They are El Cheapos which dont last five minutes - a friend had one and I used it...need I say more?

More or less based on the US military design which in its own right is not the best tool to use as they are not made to monster things with and I have managed to break a couple of them as well on the first trip out!
sycotoad  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:03:21 PM(UTC)
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Edited by user Sunday, 11 August 2013 12:24:56 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Makro - Nokta - deteknix - GoldFinder
sycotoad  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:06:41 PM(UTC)
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Edited by user Sunday, 11 August 2013 12:25:18 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Makro - Nokta - deteknix - GoldFinder
sycotoad  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:09:19 PM(UTC)
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Edited by user Sunday, 11 August 2013 12:26:01 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Makro - Nokta - deteknix - GoldFinder
Shilo  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:15:11 PM(UTC)
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Same, gone through the warehouse foldables in the past - it will work for a while then just break (metal fatigue).

Instead of relying on returns, I reckon its best to get a good tool right from the start. The armies use foldable shovels which are much better quality so army surplus shops are the place to look. Here's one that looks like it will last well for only $35:

http://www.kiwidisposals.co.nz/equipment/110-shovel-folding-german-army

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Guardian  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:57:15 PM(UTC)
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Ha Shilo you just got in before me, I started posting and as usual got interrupted.
I brought 2 was either from Doyles or Army Surplus in Chch years back. I certainly hope they weren't surplus from our Army.

One wouldn't even dig through Pine-needles and sand, the other lived in the back of ye old faithful Bighorn which I sold (complete with shovel)
I have read there are a few different makes and the ones I had were all metal but very flimsy around where the collar screws over the handle/head hinge.

The only use these ones may have had would have been catapulting your business at the enemy *8^)

Edited by user Tuesday, 2 July 2013 2:58:39 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

sycotoad  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 4:34:33 PM(UTC)
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Edited by user Sunday, 11 August 2013 12:26:34 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Lammerlaw  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 5:08:03 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: Shilo Go to Quoted Post
Same, gone through the warehouse foldables in the past - it will work for a while then just break (metal fatigue).

Instead of relying on returns, I reckon its best to get a good tool right from the start. The armies use foldable shovels which are much better quality so army surplus shops are the place to look. Here's one that looks like it will last well for only $35:

http://www.kiwidisposals.co.nz/equipment/110-shovel-folding-german-army

UserPostedImage


None of the entrenching tools are any good what so ever except in sandy beach conditions - they were OK for their specific purpose at the time - the Americans made them to be disposable - in other words you took it to Iwo Jima or the Mariannas or Saipan and if you needed it and hopefully you didnt then you had it - with a bit of luck it dug you a slit trench. Most marines would have never had a use for them other than to scratch a hole to do a number 2 in and cover it over.

I have had several of the genuine American Army ones and they never lasted long at all.

The only ones which were indeed made to last were the British ones which in WWI were so good that they were carried over to WWII. They were NOT pressed steel sheet but cast steel and they took and still take a pounding. The photo below shows how strong they are compared with the US equivalent. I have used one gold mining for 25 years and it has held up amazingly well - I have along handle on it and use it as a dragger and hammer.

Lammerlaw attached the following image(s):
P1140084.JPG
gavin  
Posted : Tuesday, 2 July 2013 5:22:54 PM(UTC)
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I saw one of those army surplus folding spades in shop then bought one off trade me as was a lot cheaper. The one that came through the post was a fair bit smaller than the one I saw in the army surplus shop and only lasted 5 minutes as well :( Was obvious inferior quality when you've seen an original army one, though same in design - just a bit smaller and flimsier/lighter construction. Went back to army shop and payed out the $50 for dearer original army surplus one = awesome and still going strong!

This is the one I've got now:
Army Surplus Folding Spade
(Crap copies tend to be painted black I've noticed)

I see those el-cheapo ones being sold as part of 4wd recovery kit - makes you wonder about the quality of the rest of the recovery gear!
kiwisouth  
Posted : Wednesday, 3 July 2013 11:06:55 PM(UTC)
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Originally Posted by: gavin Go to Quoted Post
I saw one of those army surplus folding spades in shop then bought one off trade me as was a lot cheaper. The one that came through the post was a fair bit smaller than the one I saw in the army surplus shop and only lasted 5 minutes as well :( Was obvious inferior quality when you've seen an original army one, though same in design - just a bit smaller and flimsier/lighter construction. Went back to army shop and payed out the $50 for dearer original army surplus one = awesome and still going strong!

This is the one I've got now:
Army Surplus Folding Spade
(Crap copies tend to be painted black I've noticed)

I see those el-cheapo ones being sold as part of 4wd recovery kit - makes you wonder about the quality of the rest of the recovery gear!


Got one of those ones. Got rusty when I left it in its plastic cover in a damp shed. Total mess now. Sand can get stuck in the collar as well, so good tool when it's left after
Nulli Illigitimi Carborundum