Titanium, The ultimate tool material

Just wanted to share with you some tools I fabricated using Titanium. I've been using the diggers and scoop for a few years now and they are the lightest and strongest tools I have ever used. Virtually indestructable! If I can figure out how to produce these a little faster, I may offer some for sale in the future.
Thanks for looking.

wtg those are beautiful , I really like your diggers , to me I think this is one of the greatest asspects of this hobby is that folks build stuff , or take an idea an run with it to make it bigger better stronger .

great builds 

HH Tank 

Please add me to your mailing list. I might be one of the first in line to buy some. Just out of curiosity, how does the material cost compare to say aluminum or steel?

Great looken tools!!!  How did you get the holes in the scoop? 

I bet the Titanium hand scoop would hold up better than the one I bought offline (wont mention the brand) I bent mine up the very first time out an have to straighten everything out every other trip , definitely not worth the money I paid for it .

Great looking tools!  I would guess that you or a friend work in aircraft fabrication and making these from scrap materials?

My only two concerns would be if the handle or where it attaches may bend when digging in my native Georgia clay and their expense?

Jeff

Titanium is very expensive and not likely to bend much. Tends to crack or break before it bends, mostly. But it takes a heckuva lot to crack, break or bend the stuff.

Its a bit out of the ordinary to work with and special processes must be employed when machining, welding or forming.

 It's the ultimate when it comes to strength and durability for its very light weight.

 Mass produced items like these would be too expensive to try and market in my opinion. WAY too expensive for your average MDer to buy off the shelf.

You might want to google it because It's been a long time since I read the article,...

But, there was a rather long story about some guy that went searching for the remains of an aircraft that crashed that was made solely of titanium (out of arizona area 51).   Lost story short, he found the parts of the ejection seat as well as the parts of his uniform.  he actually found the 'explosion' site and found a lot of shrapnel (titanium).

Very good story... google it... i'm sorry I don't have the address.

Thanks to all for the kind compliments. To answer a few of your questions, Yes Titanium is VERY strong. A sand scoop or digger made from this stuff will last several lifetimes.  The downside, and it is a big downside, is cost. The sandscoop alone has about 150.00 in material (if I had to purchase it). I have an idea to put a long handle on it, of a removable design.  But a five foot tube cost about 160.00 for the size I need. So I may have to go with aluminum for that. The other factor is fabrication. Jeffro, you are right. Titanium is hard to fab. You need a mill to machine the stuff and you need to go SLOOO. It can be welded fairly easy using TIG with shielding gas behind the weld to prevent oxidation. I use slivers of Titanium for filler rod.
Hope this helps some of you fabber's out there.

Really nice looking diggrs. If you ever decide to market them, PM me.

Ray S ECenFL

Thanks guys. I will definatly let you all know if I start producing these. I do have some scrap left to fab a few diggers and scoops. The thing is, they have to be individually hand made and take a long time to make. If I do I will probably make a limited amount for Tnet "family".

well  I myself would be intrested in a hand scoop I aint gonna mangle the first trip out 

 I've worked with it quite a bit before myself, making golf club heads and even a titanium longboard  but mostly what I've done with it is laser cutting and forming. Awesome job on the welding, I've been told it had to be welded in a vacuum before, not being a welder I didn't know it was possible with only a good shield- thats pretty cool! Did ya use argon?

I've worked with it quite a bit before myself, making golf club heads and even a titanium longboard  but mostly what I've done with it is laser cutting and forming. Awesome job on the welding, I've been told it had to be welded in a vacuum before, not being a welder I didn't know it was possible with only a good shield- thats pretty cool! Did ya use argon?

Thanks Jeffro, It's actually not to bad to weld. Welding it is the least of my problems. Cutting it IS!!! Yes I use Argon

well  I myself would be intrested in a hand scoop I aint gonna mangle the first trip out 

This scoop would be hard to mangle! Maybe if you run it over with a truck or something...The scoop in the picture is about 5 yrs. old.. Still new!!
I will let you know when I make another and let you all know cost. Hopfully I can keep it down to make it somewhat affordable..??

I have used a number of titanium tools for field work. I have purchased at least one of everything that Mission Knife and Tool makes, and a lot of some of the items. For metal detecting I have found that their take apart mine probe and the military demining knife are great. My team has used them all over the world, we are geologists and geophysicists and use them to aid in soil sampling. The soil samples are measured in my lab to assist in predicting instrumentation response in other countries.

I don't work for Mission, but I have been very pleased with their customer service, pricing and quality. The MPT12-Ti Titanium Knife is an awesome knife, it's just really big.

http://missionknive.com/

Titanium, like all metals, has certain working characteristics. Know the "how" makes it as easy as stainless or any grade alloy steel to fabricate.
Titanium has many different grades and each has something a little different.
Being able to adapt the grade to the job can be a trick and having 41 years experience in metal fabrication helps... some.
A few tools made from Grade 5 and Grade 9 titanium...














Best to ya!
-Wayne

Very nice tools. I really like the hand pick! I use grade 2 titanium.
I see you REALLY know your Titanium

mxtman2,

I see you really know your titanium too!

The pick was made from grade 5(6-4). I made it several years ago when the fab shop I was working at had a 220 ton press break. You'll notice the handle was made using two curved pieces... I broke one of them trying to bend it to the right angle! So I had to make another one and hope for the best!

How did you put the holes in your scoop?
All I have is a cheap Craftsman drill press. It took a long time to put the holes in my scoops!

I find most of the titanium I use on eBay. Titanium Joe(.com) sells different size pieces but his prices are higher than what you can find on eBay.

Do you work/own a machine or fab shop?

Your digging tools look great!

-Wayne

Hey Wane:
 
Yep the holes are a B---h to drill. I used a bridgeport mill to do mine, but I did start small and work  up to the size I wanted with the material clamped down. Then used a sheet metal roller to bend it round.

I work as a maintenance mechanic/welder/fabricator, so I actually get paid to play with all the equipment! I was having so much fun at work that I had to build a shop at home so I could work on motorcycles and weld jobs for friends and whatever. Here are a few pics. for ya.
 
H>H>
Dennis

Something happened to the other pics. here the are.

Hey Dennis...
How do you keep your shop looking so neat!!? My basement looks like a junkyard!
That Miller welding machine you have is a good one! All I have at home is a Miller Thunderbolt and dry-rig tig torch. Other than my welder, all I have is a $75 Craftsman drill press. Working titanium by hand can be real fun!

Mxtman, I like the sand scoop a lot !

Pls PM me whenever you are able to sell them !

Nice workmanship !!!

Best
rmptr

I have $40,000 worth of titanium clamps, bolts and screws holding my back together.  I'll trade you even up for one of those diggers if I can ever figure out how to get it out!  And yes, it sets off a metal detector!  Monty

I definitely like the hand diggers, but I would like one with a ball top handle.  The Lesche tube end digs into your hand, and I like to press down on the sheath stop tang (plate between the knife and handle) and the end of the handle... this distributes the pressure between my hands and allows me to dig a FAST plug.

Please let me know when you have a price to sell them, even in limited quantities.

i want a digger like the one in the pic from Number9 i like the handle how much does it weigh aussie pick too heavy lookin for a lighter one how much $ to buy one thanks ..  PAUL

Great looking tools and good job!

Went to that knife web site and saw the prices. ouch.

Does Ti hold an edge ok? What kind of Rockwell hardness ?

Years ago I worked in R&D and did some Ti work, turned and milled some.

Cut some threads. I don't recall it being too difficult.

Not as easy as aluminum or as difficult as 304 SS .

I don't know what grade it was.

Good thinking on using "slivers" for filler rod.

Grey

Very cool , How much would you sell them for.

Very sorry folks for the late reply. Seems my computer came down with the electronic equivelent of the H1N1 flu. I had to reinstall window's. And being the computer buff that I am,  I of course failed to back up or save anything!

Anyway, I may have some time to fab a few diggers and scoops in the near future. So I will send all who requested a pm. 
Looks like the diggers will be around 100.00 and the scoops around 150.00.

Thank you all for your compliments and interest.

Hi all. I have finally gotten around to fabricating some more diggers.  I have sent pm's or will soon send pm's to those who requested them. I have finished a couple and am pleased with the results.  Ok maybe a little more than pleased! If your the fabricator type you might like these pictures. I took pictures of the entire process. But here are a few.

Oh if your interested in purchasing one of these. See my post in the classified section. Or pm me I was able to get the price down somewhat from my last guesstimate. I am only offering these on this website.  once their gone, thats it. I'm out of material and they are just too expensive and time consuming to make.
Thanks for looking.



Dennis

some more

and a few more.

Dennis,

Very impressive pictures. Thanks for sharing. PM sent.

Ray S ECenFL

Dennis,

Very impressive pictures. Thanks for sharing. PM sent.

Ray S ECenFL

Thanks Ray, Their even more impressive in real life.  I got on ready for you!!

Dennis,

Very impressive pictures. Thanks for sharing. PM sent.

Ray S ECenFL

Thanks Ray, Their even more impressive in real life.  I got on ready for you!!

Can't wait to see it.  You should be receiving payment in mail shortly.

Ray S ECenFL

Interesting subject. Just wondering if drilling and shaping might be done easier using either a plasma cutter, or EDM (Electrical Discharge Machine), instead of wearing out drill bit's and cutting wheel's? I've seen some fairly low cost DIY (Do It Yourself), CNC plasma cutters online and the basic plasma cutter unit with Tig and MMA Arc welder (combo unit), sells for around $500 on feebay. I even saw a EDM unit down in Florida sell for only $750 about a month back, (cheap by some peoples standards).

Just a thought.

F.

Interesting subject. Just wondering if drilling and shaping might be done easier using either a plasma cutter, or EDM (Electrical Discharge Machine), instead of wearing out drill bit's and cutting wheel's? I've seen some fairly low cost DIY (Do It Yourself), CNC plasma cutters online and the basic plasma cutter unit with Tig and MMA Arc welder (combo unit), sells for around $500 on feebay. I even saw a EDM unit down in Florida sell for only $750 about a month back, (cheap by some peoples standards).

Just a thought.

F.

Yes, You are right, cutting and drilling would be no problem if a person were set up with cnc plasma. I did actually cut my prototype blanks using a plasma cutter. But found that cutting them with a sheet metal shear (press shear) worked well. As far as wearing out tool bits goes, It's really not a problem (at least not for grade 2 Ti.) dont know about other grades. But if you cut slow about 130 rpm and slow feed it cuts about like 316 SS.
Like I said before, the biggest downside to using titanium is the coast of the material. Unless the builder has a supply of scrap material, There is just no way to make these things affordable to the average detectorist. Just to give you an idea, look at the price of ti. on the internet. A 6"x6" x .125" sells for between $100.00 and $160.00. for grade 2.

A new model EDM would work real nice...
or even a water jet cutting machine would be fun...
oh yes, a laser cutting machine, now ya talk'n!
But, I don't fabricate titanium that flys anymore.
Using plasma will do the job, but will require more cleanup
than the other three above. Even if you're using "High definition plasma".
But, it all comes down to money! Which would take a long look before
you spend the money for equipment just to make a few titanium tools in a home shop!

A titanium digging tool like the ones Dennis is making, for the price...
is not a "money maker" for him... it's a gift to you!!

A new model EDM would work real nice...
or even a water jet cutting machine would be fun...
oh yes, a laser cutting machine, now ya talk'n!
But, I don't fabricate titanium that flys anymore.
Using plasma will do the job, but will require more cleanup
than the other three above. Even if you're using "High definition plasma".
But, it all comes down to money! Which would take a long look before
you spend the money for equipment just to make a few titanium tools in a home shop!

A titanium digging tool like the ones Dennis is making, for the price...
is not a "money maker" for him... it's a gift to you!!

Thank You      Very well said!

You know what the main problem is with making custom tools?

Unless a person knows metal working and the amount of time and material to finish a tool...
all they have to compare the "custom tool" to, is a tool that is offered for sale on the open market.
This comparison is like comparing apples to oranges, but this is the only comparison a person can make when looking at "custom made"!
They "think" they want a custom tool until you tell them the price! Then they compare your custom to the standard on the market and think one of two things... "I can't justify the cost over standard for my use"... or... "This guy is trying to rook-me, trying to take me to the cleaners, who does he think he's fooling charging such a high price!?"

I've made many custom tools in the last 40 years and sold none. why? Because most people don't understand what it takes to make one, and friends just want a "gift". And when you tell them the price you always get that "look"! Ha! If you buy a quality made custom tool the price can be as much as 10-times the standard tool that's on the shelf! So, why do it at all? I do it for two basic reasons... the tool becomes part of me and gives me an inter pride knowing that I have the skills needed to make a "one-of-a-kind". The other reasons is to have a tool for my needs that's unmatched for the job I need it for. The tool must say "Lets go!", when I ask... "Are you ready!?".

Dennis, can you relate to any of this!?

Best at ya!
-Wayne

I purchased one of the Diggers. It arrived yesterday. Looks just like the pictures. Has a nice feel to it.

 Could I have purchased a store bought digger cheaper? Yes, I could have but I wanted one that was custom made and by a T Net member.  Just a personal preference.

Dennis did a very nice job. I am satisfied with my purchase.

Ray S ECenFL

You know what the main problem is with making custom tools?

Unless a person knows metal working and the amount of time and material to finish a tool...
all they have to compare the "custom tool" to, is a tool that is offered for sale on the open market.
This comparison is like comparing apples to oranges, but this is the only comparison a person can make when looking at "custom made"!
They "think" they want a custom tool until you tell them the price! Then they compare your custom to the standard on the market and think one of two things... "I can't justify the cost over standard for my use"... or... "This guy is trying to rook-me, trying to take me to the cleaners, who does he think he's fooling charging such a high price!?"

I've made many custom tools in the last 40 years and sold none. why? Because most people don't understand what it takes to make one, and friends just want a "gift". And when you tell them the price you always get that "look"! Ha! If you buy a quality made custom tool the price can be as much as 10-times the standard tool that's on the shelf! So, why do it at all? I do it for two basic reasons... the tool becomes part of me and gives me an inter pride knowing that I have the skills needed to make a "one-of-a-kind". The other reasons is to have a tool for my needs that's unmatched for the job I need it for. The tool must say "Lets go!", when I ask... "Are you ready!?".

Dennis, can you relate to any of this!?



Best at ya!
-Wayne

Yes Wayne! I can relate to what your saying 110%! But in addition to what you wrote,  I also do it because it gives me pride knowing that my handiwork is appreciated and being used by other people with like interests.
You and I Wayne have the same views on this "why we do it " topic. But you my friend are a master at putting those thoughts into words! Again...

Best wishes to you in this new year

Dennis

I purchased one of the Diggers. It arrived yesterday. Looks just like the pictures. Has a nice feel to it.

 Could I have purchased a store bought digger cheaper? Yes, I could have but I wanted one that was custom made and by a T Net member.  Just a personal preference.

Dennis did a very nice job. I am satisfied with my purchase.

Ray S ECenFL

Thank you very much Ray. It was a pleasure doing business with you.  I don't remember if I talked to you about this or not, but a few of my customers have asked about some sort of handle padding, grip tape, shrink wrap etc.. If you think you would like a little more comfort on the grip, I would suggest maybe getting some tool grip dip. There is a company called Plasti Grip.. I think its called. Anyway you dip the handle in this stuff and it forms a rubberized grip.  I'm thinking of trying this out on mine. Anyway, just a thought if you want to do a little further customizing.
Hope you have a happy and prosperous new year.

Dennis

Sent you a pm Dennis totally agree with you and Wayne. Custom hand built made to do the job. 

Now if I could get Wayne to make me a hand pick 

Sent you a pm Dennis totally agree with you and Wayne. Custom hand built made to do the job.  

Now if I could get Wayne to make me a hand pick  

Yep it's the only way to go... I sent you a pm, Thanks
That pick IS Awsome aint it!

Dennis

Hey dazoff... please shut the door up there!! You're letting to much cold air move into Tennessee!!

I made the handle for the pick using a 220 ton CNC press brake where I worked, which was about 10 years ago.
Not having a large press would be real fun trying to bend the Grade 5, 3/16" titanium plate!

Hey dazoff... please shut the door up there!! You're letting to much cold air move into Tennessee!!

I made the handle for the pick using a 220 ton CNC press brake where I worked, which was about 10 years ago.
Not having a large press would be real fun trying to bend the Grade 5, 3/16" titanium plate!

  I was water hunting Monday night 44 degrees here on the coast low tide. Dan

Titanium is light, strong and it doesn't rust. "Expensive aluminum".

But a good steel is ultimately stronger and heavier and IMO for something like a mini pick you need that extra weight. And my little pick cost me ~$15 with a fiberglass handle.

Don't get me wrong, your tools are really gorgeous but I'll be sticking with my steel tools which it wouldn't break my heart or my bank to lose and they get the job done.

BTW, my favorite digger is a Hori-Hori knife made in Japan (stainless steel).

Bob

LOL!!
"Expensive aluminum"?
Yeah, I like that! But, grade 5, 6-4 titanium is only 6% aluminum!
"But a good steel is ultimately stronger..."
It depends... what's a "good steel"?
I've used many $15 picks, I can tell you first hand... they don't have "good steel"!

I too am a fabricator/welder & I LOVE what you are doing here, looks like a very strong, high quality digger! Ive never worked with titanium before. I can really appreciate the time, effort & expertise that goes into making one of these. I just wish you could lock me in your shop for a week or two, very nice set up & very nice equipment! Just slide a PB&J samich under the door once a day & I'll be fine! lol

Titanium is light, strong and it doesn't rust. "Expensive aluminum".

But a good steel is ultimately stronger and heavier and IMO for something like a mini pick you need that extra weight. And my little pick cost me ~$15 with a fiberglass handle.

Don't get me wrong, your tools are really gorgeous but I'll be sticking with my steel tools which it wouldn't break my heart or my bank to lose and they get the job done.

BTW, my favorite digger is a Hori-Hori knife made in Japan (stainless steel).

Bob

"Expensive Aluminum" . I respectfully dissagree!! The strength to weight ratio simply cannot be beat. I can't say anything about Number9's pick except to say that it is awsom looking and I would love to have one simply because it is made of titanium! And looks to be of top drawer quality.
As far as diggers go, I've been using mine for years now and can say that titanium will stand up to all the abuse I can give it! And the comfort and ease of carry make it the ultimate tool material in my book!
Now, about sand scoops, All I can say is, It's the BEST. BAR NONE! Take a look at Number9's long handle scoops. They don't get better than that!!! My hand scoops are great as well simply because they are made with the lightest and strongest material you can get!  Unless you can get your hands on some of the stuff the alein spaceship in area 59 is made of, you CANNOT find a better material than Titanium to build a scoop!


Dennis

I too am a fabricator/welder & I LOVE what you are doing here, looks like a very strong, high quality digger! Ive never worked with titanium before. I can really appreciate the time, effort & expertise that goes into making one of these. I just wish you could lock me in your shop for a week or two, very nice set up & very nice equipment! Just slide a PB&J samich under the door once a day & I'll be fine! lol

Thanks AP. But, my wife locks me up in here all the time. It aint all it's cracked up to be!

LOL!!! Well I hope she slides a samich under the door for ya! But seriously, you have some nice equipment & you do top-notch work! I realy hope that you can make a lil' business outa this! Best of luck to you & keep it up! 

I built the pick, shovel/walking stick, and a few other tools from titanium because I use them to rock hunt in the mountains of North Carolina and in Georgia. Sometimes I'll do a lot of walking and the lighter weight of titanium over steel makes a difference after a few hours! Yes a pick can be made from a "good steel", 4130 chromoly would be a good choice. After all... top-fuel dragster frames use this type. It takes about 300 feet of tubing and finished it will weigh approximately 600 pounds... and holds an engine that puts out over 5,000 horsepower! The ultimate tensile strength of 4130(Normalized) is 97,200psi.
304 stainless is 73,200psi. 6061-T6 aluminum is 45,000psi.
I made my pick from Grade 5 titanium... the ultimate tensile strength is 138,000psi.
The tensile strength of Grade 5 titanium is more than 304 stainless and 6061-T6 aluminum... COMBINED!

I guess it's an ""Expensive aluminum" for a reason!

This thread is what started my interest in Titanium as a possible material to be used in Long Handle Beach Scoops

Titanium Diablo......... .071/.050 First production ti scoop coming summer 2012
Picture two titanium skins, middle 304 SS, also testing 2025 Aluminum/not pictured
After a year of design work and testing of Diablo. And now testing and input from four hunters in the field,
several times a week around the country the final design is near.