How to Make a Sand Scoop for Digging Coins

Get your digging tools ready.

It is easy to partake in the seaside search for treasure when you are equipped with the right tools. Although more costly, high-tech implements are available for coin digging, you can quickly and inexpensively craft this coin digger at home out of materials you may already have. These scoops are so economical and fast to make that you can outfit the whole family for hours of task-focused outdoor fun. Depending on the specific beach terrain on which you find yourself, you may choose to vary the size or shape of the scoop containers to best suit the current conditions.

Things You'll Need

• Large hard plastic cup or cup-shaped plastic container
• Craft knife

Instructions

1. 

   Explore the scooping potential of plastic.

   Find a large plastic cup, about 4 inches in diameter. If you do not have a cup, a cup-shaped plastic container is fine. The plastic should be relatively hard, not easily bendable.

2. 

   Carve the shape to suit the task.

   Working on a hard, flat surface, hold the craft knife so that you are cutting with the tip, and carefully cut the top of the cup so that it tapers to a beaker-like point and resembles a scoop. This is the part with which you dig into the sand.

3. 

   Let there be holes.

   Working on the same surface, again hold the craft knife so that you are cutting with the tip, and carefully cut out six to 10 ¼-inch round holes from the bottom of the container. The bottom of the container should have more negative spaces than solid plastic.

4. 

   Test the sand.

   Take the scoop outside and test it on the sand. If the sand is not straining through fast enough, cut a couple of additional holes on the scoop side of the container, near the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your craft knife is new and sharp.

• Handle craft knives with care. Cutting with these implements can be difficult and requires patience and a firm, steady hand.

• This task is not appropriate for children, and craft knives should be stored safely out of their reach.

References

• Go Metal Detecting.com: Metal Detector Accessories

Resources

• Metal Detecting World.com: Types of Metal Detecting Activities --- Wet Sand Beach Hunting