Shovel Comparison

 
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joeq
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Post by joeq » Thu. Jan. 05, 2017 8:05 pm

My "modern day" coal shovel isn't easily functional when trying to scoop up stove sized coal out of the hod. I know people have said try digging from the sides, which I have, but it doesn't always work. Of course it depends on the shape and sizes of each bit being involved. I usually have the most success by scooping from the spout, or pouring end and trying to drive the shovel underneath. But sometimes the tip is pushed on an upward angle into a bit, and is stopped dead. So now the game of rebiting, and adding different approach angles to fill the shovel. Which sometimes ends up falling off anyway, because of the large size. (The nut and pea size is a piece of cake).
I know it's not the end of the world, and I don't lose much sleep over it, but if there are possible improvements that can be made to my life, I'll give anything W/In reason a try. So I looked in my local True Value for options, and found this smaller pointed spade shovel as an alternative. (6 whopping bucks)
Image
The handle that came with it was about 3' long, which I didn't care for, so I had a leftover old broom handle I turned down to fit, and it is a good length. The shovel does seem to penetrate easier, (most times), but because the size isn't much bigger, it doesn't hold the chunks that well. If I could find one the next size up, it might be better. Can't be so big, it won't go through the load door. Still looking.


 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Thu. Jan. 05, 2017 9:24 pm

American ingenuity & perseverance J. You'll find the right critter!! :)

 
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Sunny Boy
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Coal Size/Type: Nuts !
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Post by Sunny Boy » Thu. Jan. 05, 2017 10:36 pm

Joe,
I have the same modern bucket shovel as you - bought in my local hardware store. They are usually sold as "ash shovels" for wood stoves.

However, you could try "going old school" because the old timers had it figured out. When yours and my stoves were new, that modern one is not the type coal shovel they used.

In the pictures below is my modern one on the right. The larger one on the left was hanging up next to the Anthracite Industries bucket-a-day coal hot water heater in the basement when I bought this place.

As you can see, the old one is made to hold much more coal - especially good for stove size. It's not just longer, it's also a bit wider and the sides are a bit higher. Yet it easily fits and slides down the nose ramp of a coal bucket from the same time period.

When I was burning Blaschak stove, like you, I found out that those modern bucket shovels don't work well. Even if you slide the shovel down the bucket nose ramp, they don't hold much stove size. But that old larger bucket shovel did very well with both nut, or stove. And it fits the bucket's nose ramp better so it doesn't bump into and get stopped by coal chunks and then have to force them out of the way to get down into the coal.

I see these old style coal bucket shovels turn up on eBay and they are often not more cost than their smaller cousins are new.

Paul

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joeq
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Post by joeq » Thu. Jan. 05, 2017 10:47 pm

That looks like the ticket to me Paul. Thanks for posting. I'll try to find one.

 
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Sunny Boy
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Post by Sunny Boy » Thu. Jan. 05, 2017 10:57 pm

There's quite a few like mine on eBay now.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=Coal+shovel&_sacat=0

Good hunting !

Paul

 
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davidmcbeth3
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Coal Size/Type: nut/pea/anthra

Post by davidmcbeth3 » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 4:12 am

I bought one of those large candy scoops ... works great ! (I use nut)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-38-Oz-Ounce-Bar-Ice-Scoop-Dry- ... SwImRYXxzo

 
scalabro
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Post by scalabro » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 6:46 am

I pour straight from the bucket into the stove.


 
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tcalo
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Post by tcalo » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 8:01 am

scalabro wrote:I pour straight from the bucket into the stove.
I would love to do that Scott, but the loading door on my G109 is tiny. I'm stuck shoveling coal in. The good news is that the pot is so small it only takes a few shovel fulls to fill it. I'm not sure if the G111 loading door is big enough to allow this?

 
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Sunny Boy
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Coal Size/Type: Nuts !
Other Heating: Oil &electric plenum furnace

Post by Sunny Boy » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 8:09 am

I tried pouring from the bucket into the range. Obviously, there's plenty of room to do that. The coal goes down and whatever fine dust there is in with the coal goes up. :shock:

Turns out that's an excellent way to see just how strong the convection currents are above the fire box end of the stove. :oops:

Paul

 
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davidmcbeth3
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Post by davidmcbeth3 » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 8:17 am

tcalo wrote:
scalabro wrote:I pour straight from the bucket into the stove.
I would love to do that Scott, but the loading door on my G109 is tiny. I'm stuck shoveling coal in. The good news is that the pot is so small it only takes a few shovel fulls to fill it. I'm not sure if the G111 loading door is big enough to allow this?
Glue them into balls ... and play pitcher !

 
corey
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Post by corey » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 9:14 am

Oh I remember trying to my hod and throw coal in made huge mess. It was a sight.

 
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joeq
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Post by joeq » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 5:05 pm

scalabro wrote:I pour straight from the bucket into the stove.
When I'm doing a total shakedown, and it's been burning 10 or so hours, I shovel some preliminary new coals to it, (and let them catch), do a good shake, "then", (when the level is low), I'll pour right from the hod. But when I'm topping off, I'm too lazy to lift an almost full bucket. I'll get my exercise elsewhere. (like lifting my "remote controls"). :lol:

 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 5:16 pm

I use a flat piece of steel and bend it to fit into my door, and its wider on the outside, and pour it in from a pail that way.

For a shovel on my Chubby I use what David showed, only mine is bigger, an 85 ounce scoop. I figure the less scoops, the less dust. Ive shoveled nut and stove size with it and think it works fairly well.

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 5:26 pm

Being the Weekend is here,I've ditched the shovel and started using this :

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSEZVPRjRa2mm8gcDlI5T2I43a3yNMaPAZmJAw46VV0-2Q8cVzt

 
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joeq
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Post by joeq » Fri. Jan. 06, 2017 5:57 pm

OK Bob, I'll bite. Is it gin? Rum? Honey?
So I checked out the 1st couple pages on Ebay, that you guys posted the link to, looking for a shovel like Pauls. But the more I looked at the shovels, it appears the small one on Pauls photo is extra small, and the one I have (pictured), is a tad bigger, and the left one on Pauls photo, even a touch bigger. Most the ones on Ebay look to be the same as the one I already own. So I was gunna give the ice-cream scooper that Dave and Warmin show, a chance, seeing there was one listed for $10 free shipping. 'cept once again, my password user name won't work. I don't buy there much, have some old info written down, and it's not likin it. :mad: So for now, I'm letting it ride. (Till I get more ambition to tackle it.)


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