new scoop shovels?

HermitJohn · #1 01/04/12, 02:07 PM

I inherited dads old aluminum scoop shovel from farm days, it was quality one. He used it for ear corn and grain. I mostly used it for snow. Somewhere along the line it grew legs and disappeared. I then dug out an old steel scoop shovel I got at an auction someplace. No more than I use one here in Ozarks, it was fine. Couple weeks ago somebody borrowed it and promised to return it next day. It hasnt returned, guess it liked life at his house better than here.

Well this isnt a farming area and small farm auctions are few and far between so scoop shovels dont show often. Or if they do they are worn out scrap.

I looked at Lowes week ago when I was in town. They only had cheap quality aluminum ones, not worth anywhere close to what they had them priced.

Looked online and prices for aluminum scoops all over the place. I am guessing the ~$70 aluminum ones with wood handle and steel D part at top of handle are the high quality ones?

You can buy steel ones, but they are ~$50+. No idea if that is tempered old school ones that will last lifetime or some cheapo untempered knockoff.

Shoot, dont use a scoop shovel enough to pay that kind of money. The cheapies are junk and waste of money. Maybe the high dollar ones are junk too anymore.

Anybody have suggestions on a good scoop shovel that doesnt cost a fortune?

Windy in Kansas · #2 01/04/12, 02:16 PM

Since you will primarily be using it for snow how about one of the heavy duty plastic ones shaped like a regular shovel instead of snow shovel design. I think I've seen them in the big box stores. My thinking is that snow would be as apt to stick to them.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/39...vel_Scoop.html

#3 01/04/12, 02:22 PM

Go get yours back from the twit that borrowed it since you seem to know who it was.
If that doesn't work then keep looking for a good used one. When I was a kid we had a steel one that dad called a coal shovel. I suspect it was for shoveling coal into the furnace. It had to be better built than the ones that came out after most people quit burning coal.

HermitJohn · #4 01/04/12, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

Since you will primarily be using it for snow how about one of the heavy duty plastic ones shaped like a regular shovel instead of snow shovel design. I think I've seen them in the big box stores. My thinking is that snow would be as apt to stick to them.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/39...vel_Scoop.html

I used to use the aluminum one lot for snow when I lived in Michigan. I have no idea where it went.

Here I use the steel one maybe couple times a year for snow, we just tend not to get enough snow that lasts long enough that it needs scooping. Only when get deep snow. I also use it to rake stuff into, like a big dust pan.

I simply dont buy plastic tools.

HermitJohn · #5 01/04/12, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimrod

Go get yours back from the twit that borrowed it since you seem to know who it was.
If that doesn't work then keep looking for a good used one. When I was a kid we had a steel one that dad called a coal shovel. I suspect it was for shoveling coal into the furnace. It had to be better built than the ones that came out after most people quit burning coal.

At this point I have maybe 20 minutes of productive energy per day max, thanks to a still undiagnosed medical condition. Chasing down some idiot that hasnt been taught manners is not how I want to spend a day's energy or more likely multiple days energy. I suspect I will just do without a scoop shovel unless I stumble on a cheap used one. Cheap new tools tend to be total waste of everybody's time and effort and money.

plowjockey · #6 01/04/12, 08:12 PM

I have one of the aluminum shovels, I think I got It from tractor supply 6 years ago, or so.

It's not as heavy, as the AL shovels of my youth (what is), but I can shovel wet chicken manure, or wet snow, as heavy as I can pick up and it does the job.

Seems to work.

They are on sale for $20, at TSC. 50-75 buck for any shovel seems a bit much. Even the old shovels wore out, if you used them enough.

Use a steel scoop shovel? I don't don't think so.

springvalley · #7 01/04/12, 08:37 PM

Use to get them on farm auctions around here also, but not many of those around either. So the farm stores are about the only place to get them, and they dont make them like they use to. And they sure are far from cheap, they are made of lesser quality material, and they want more money. > Thanks Marc

sammyd · #8 01/05/12, 05:04 AM

good aluminum scoops have always been pricey ever since I've known them

uncle Will in In. · #9 01/05/12, 06:03 AM

Back when a new Chevy could be bought for $2000 an aluminum scoup shovel cost around $15 ... The Chevy has went up over 10 times the 1950 price. If you bring the shovel price up 10 times they would be around $150 now.

God and the rain will take the snow away. Just be patient, and be happy you aren't out there working up a heart attack.

HermitJohn · #10 01/05/12, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle Will in In.

Back when a new Chevy could be bought for $2000 an aluminum scoup shovel cost around $15 ... The Chevy has went up over 10 times the 1950 price. If you bring the shovel price up 10 times they would be around $150 now.

God and the rain will take the snow away. Just be patient, and be happy you aren't out there working up a heart attack.

Unfortunately my income didnt multiply 10 times either, sure hope yours did, so you can afford a $150 shovel.

You did notice that GM (who makes Chevy) went bankrupt didnt you? Those at the top easily forget that those at the bottom are those who buy their product. And thus they tend to get into fantasy mode of there somewhere being lot rich stupid customers with money burning a hole in their pocket. Somehow doubt there are that many of those kind people out there. If the wages of those at bottom dont rise to pay the new higher prices, far less product gets sold. But hey maybe they can sell expensive cars and shovels to the workers in China.....

EDIT:Oops missed the 1950 reference. Think average cars are more like 20+ times 1950 price and I dont even know you could buy an aluminum scoop shovel in 1950, think they were all steel back then. You could buy a $15 high quality aluminum scoop shovel in late 60s, maybe into the 70s, though mega inflation in early 70s. I can buy a Chinese aluminum pooper scooper today for $15, but its pretty flimsy and I think pure waste of money just like the plastic shovels. Plastic shovels are what little kids play with in sand box, not real tools.

**Cabin Fever** · #11 01/05/12, 08:46 AM

I've always found Union shovels to be well-made and long lasting. Union bought out True Temper, Ames, and Razorback which also made good shovels and such. I have no idea if Union products are still made in the USA or not. If you visit their website, they show about a dozen or so different scoop shovels and where you can buy them.

http://www.uniontools.com/products/s...8&Famil---=399

HermitJohn · #12 01/05/12, 11:44 AM

Thanks, I'll look, but think I already ran across Union/Ames scoop shovel and they werent affordable for occasional use.