On Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:57:08 -0800, Winston
wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 22:26:25 -0800,
wrote:

(...)

What I want is something resembling a miniature
'post hole digger':
http://www.wiserental.com/images/QPI...igger92380.gif
..With strong, 2" wide blades that would allow me
to grab these pieces from a moderate stoop.

Why not continue to use a regular post hole digger?

The blades are too large. Most often the blades
hang up on the interior of the hole, blocking
access to the chunk. Even if I can surround the
chunk with the blades, the chunk falls out the
bottom at earliest opportunity. I'm looking for
a better 'size match' to the load.

$5 garage sale PHDs, Cut and grind safe to size, knock down the
handles for lighter weight, Roberta's yer auntie.

Fold one lip up half an inch @ 60 degrees? and cut a bit off the other
side. That'll give you a leverage point for the adobegoo wrestling.

Or just roll your own with 5/8" square tubing and some 1/8" CRS. I may
do that myself, during the winter downtime.


That would be the rare and wondrous Concrete Magnet, of course.

Difficult to adjust damping factor.

Sometimes small boulders shoot out of the hole
damaging cottages in the neighborhood.

What? You don't have a Null Shield on it yet? Silly person.


They also eat "D" cells like you wouldn't believe.

That they do. I'd get a Zephyr replacement battery if I were you.

(Vague "Knight and Day" reference. Wunnerful movie; must see!)


NOTE: From now on, I'm going to ask PHD braggarts if they dig many
holes with 'em. When they give me the weird look, I'll innocently say
"Oh, when you mentioned PHD, you weren't referring to a Post Hole
Digger?"

LJ--not a Piled Higher and Deeper owner.

--
Make the best use of what is in your power,
and take the rest as it happens.
-- Epictetus