Country Lore: Make this Multipurpose Scoop

A handmade scoop, such as this one, is a handy tool in the barn and garden.

February/March 2008
By Raj Chaudhry 
Scoop
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This classic handmade scoop is useful for handling birdseed, chicken feed, fertilizer and more.
RAJ CHAUDHRY
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A sturdy scoop has myriad uses around the homestead, from measuring feed to mixing soil. While you can buy serviceable ones at feed stores, you’ll find it satisfying to craft your own. Here’s a time-tested design for a scoop that’s simple to build and farm-tough.

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The scoop’s body and handle are hardwood and its blade is light-gauge steel. The scoop pictured below is made from red oak and stainless steel. But, by all means, use what you have.

For a big, robust scoop, I like 22-gauge steel (0.03-inch thick). And I’ve found that 20-gauge (0.036-inch) is about the thickest you can reasonably employ. Anything thicker will be difficult to cut and bend by hand.

Use ring-shank roofing nails, sometimes called slating nails, to attach the scoop blade to the body. They are available in stainless and galvanized steel. Their broad heads work like washers, clamping the sheet metal tightly while spreading the load. Plus, their angular rings work like screw threads, capturing wood fibers to prevent the fasteners from working loose.

To protect the wood, I use Tried & True Varnish Oil, a linseed-oil-based finish. It contains no heavy metal driers and no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Grain Scoop Construction Details

Materials required for pictured scoop

  • Artist’s spray mount or rubber cement; 
  • Hardwood board, three-quarter-inch thick, 6 inches long by 4 inches wide or larger; 
  • Hardwood dowel or stave for handle; 
  • Sheet steel, stainless or galvanized, approximately 17 inches by  8 inches, 20 gauge maximum; 
  • Ring-shank roofing nails (9), 1 to 1 1/2 inches long; 
  • Polyurethane glue or 2-part epoxy; 
  • Sandpaper, assorted grits 
  • Oil finish of choice; 
  • Rags for finish application; and, 
  • Cord for hanging (optional);

Tools

  • Saw capable of cutting curves: band saw, jigsaw, scroll saw or coping saw; 
  • Tool for shaping handle: lathe, spokeshave or utility knife; 
  • Drill and bits, including 3/4-inch diameter Forstner or spade drill bit; 
  • Scratch awl; 
  • Metal punch; 
  • Hammer; 
  • Handsaw (a flush-cutting saw is ideal); 
  • Finish sander or sanding block; 
  • Aviation or tin snips; 
  • Round file or rotary tool with grinder; 
  • Appropriate safety gear, including eye, lung and hearing protection as well as gloves for working with sheet metal; and, 
  • Measuring and marking tools: tape measure, carpenter’s square, pencil, protractor, and permanent marker or scribe.

 Construction

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