View Full Version : My toilet trowel design
Rain man
10-02-2010, 21:20
Hi people, Just made this and thought I'd post some pics to show you.
It started life as a length of 32mm MuPVC pipe, I bought a coupler and threaded cap and stuck them with solvent weld cement. All regular plumbing store stuff.
I cut the scoop out with a hacksaw and filed and sanded it smooth. Then used an old branch I had lying around and cut it to fit inside the pipe at the scoop end, and that provided the cap for that end, as you can see I cut it at an angle.
I glued the wood in place with Araldite type glue, but as the branch wasn't quite circular I needed to seal the small gaps around it with a waterproof sealant. I sealed the inside aswell.
Then I bought some Krylon camo spray paint because I heard good things about its adhesion to plastics and gave it a couple of coats.
Then I wrapped part of the handle with tape to make it even (sorry no halfway pics) because the couple created a ledge, then wrapped it in paracord.
In all It is quite light 182g (OK not uber light- I actually decided to make this as I thought my steel fold away shovel was too heavy @ 175g Doh!)
But this is a completely waterproof container for TP and I suppose anything else small enough to fit in.
This is my first make so I'm quite pleased with the outcome. I have to wait 7 days for the paint to become completely chip resistant but will update you with the results of its first dig!
Please feel free to comment. If u think it looks "poo" please say. :)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7812/looshovel1.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/4144/looshovel2.jpg
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8675/looshovel3.jpg
Nice one !
You must be bursting... to try it out.
I think it's great Rm , a hollow handled poop scoop :D, really good design goodjob.
My only concern might be the cord wrapped handle being difficult to keep clean, holding onto germs maybe.
That PVC pipe looks like it could have loads of DIY possibilities for other things too, like match containers etc.
Pete.
Tactical Shovel Recce. The tube opening is a good idea , I wonder if the tubes of wet wipes you can get would fit inside it?
Agree the Paracord may habour germs but then again you WILL be washing your hands afterwards won't you.
PS Just thought, If you ever get stopped by a copper with that , you may get a few weird looks after explaining it function.
Looking good !!
phill_ue
10-02-2010, 22:01
It looks like great bit of kit, don't stir your brew with the handle to keep those concerned abut the germs happy! :D
Ogri the trog
10-02-2010, 22:16
That really is rather good,
and inspiring to store your TP in the handle, though I wonder if Izal would compress tighter :rolleyes:
ATB
Ogri the trog
jdlenton
10-02-2010, 22:25
what a great piece of work thank you for sharing I've been looking for a lightweight way of doing this or some time. Your product looks like a very well considered design great stuff
having said that i wouldn't mind seeing the metal one you have that way slightly less
what would the weight be if the cord and tape was removed ?
ow and
I wonder if Izal would compress tighter
masochist :pokenest:
Rain man
10-02-2010, 22:45
I weighed it before sparying and without the TP inside and no tape or wrap came to 126g I think. Of course I could have made it a couple of inches shorter to save some more weight, but would have had to fold the toilet paper, (its a little longer than the width of a piece inside) It's a lovely size for my - quite large - hands, so I don't think I'll make my next one much smaller. I was going to make it out of aluminum tubing but didn't source a cheap enough solution to threading the cap on it, so went the plastic route.
Thanks for the feedback. I have seen one on the net minutes after completing this, called the 'ipood' It's a folding shovel with a hollow handle for TP (not sure if it's watertight tho) but weights 99g. Feel a little sick, but then I did have fun making it.
jdlenton
10-02-2010, 22:50
I did have fun making it.
isnt that all you need?
great info thanks I'm wondering in my head about one of these made out of an old vacuum cleaner pipe with wooden fittings in each end of the tube the top end could be fitted with a couple of O rings to make it water tight a cork bung might also work.
they only question is would it be lighter?
Ben Trout
10-02-2010, 23:08
Good design and good timing!
There is a new requirement on Ten Tors this year; that all teams carry a toilet trowel. This looks like an ideal design and we are in the midst of changing the bathroom. I'll have to gather up the waste pipe offcuts before next tip run.
goodjob and thanks.
Rain man
10-02-2010, 23:36
Glad I could be some inspiration. Here was mine;
http://bazbackpack.blogspot.com/2009/06/tent-peg-toilet-trowel.html
I stumbles upon this This Blizzard tent stake mod. It weighs nothing but thought that a sponge handle wasn't good enough and that if i made it hollow I could fit the TP inside... genius haha. But didn't like the idea of "selotaping" a tube onto a tent stake, plus the holes didn't appeal, getting filled with mud, so thought about a single tube carved into my ideal toilet trowel, bit more elegant, hence my design!
Pity about the weight, might try a lighter weight tube next time, but there's always that weight/strength ratio to balance out.
Oh and the ipood thing, even lighter than I thought ....
http://www.roughgear.co.uk/Product.aspx?product=433&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=productfeed
FreddyFish
11-02-2010, 00:44
I don't know if you have seen this, but it might be a perfect partner for your spade.
http://www.gotiny.co.uk/andrex-on-the-go-coreless-travel-tissue-55-sheets-1923-p.asp
http://www.gotiny.co.uk/ekmps/shops/swspary/images/andrex-on-the-go-coreless-travel-tissue-55-sheets-1923-p.jpg
Cool design. If Rambo had a toilet trowel, it would be like this! :D
Alexlebrit
11-02-2010, 08:32
Very cool design, like it a lot. That PVC tubing is very versatile stuff, especially once you start playing with heating it a bit to soften it. You can cut a bit lengthways and soften it to roll it out flat even, which might be quite good for sealing the spade end, just cut an oval and glue it in.
_scorpio_
11-02-2010, 12:44
that ipood thing is £18 though! how much did this cost you to make.
scrogger
11-02-2010, 12:56
Thats a fantastic bit of ingenuity. I might just have to have a go at that. I have seen them made from v shaped tent pegs before. How strong is it?
Nice find with the toilet tissue but does it only come in white? My preferance would be for soft ivory!!!:rolleyes::lmao:
Thanks for posting this , I reckon even I could do one of these.
Could we see it in action please.
Could we see it in action please.
that depends is it for diggin a hole :D
or manual evacuation like a cheese tester :eek:
on a more serious note has any body looked at a japanises trowel (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=364265)
http://www.axminster.co.uk//images/products/200506_xl.jpg
Nice one! :D
Reminds me of this blogpost:
http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/Colin-Ibbotson/Peg-trowel.pdf
Love it! - cracking idea and well executed!
- but darn you! :red: that's yet another thing on the 'I have to make one - even though I'll probably never use it' list........ hey ho I love it! :D
Bardster
11-02-2010, 16:44
......
Oh and the ipood thing, even lighter than I thought ....
http://www.roughgear.co.uk/Product.aspx?product=433&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=productfeed
Still not light enough for some...
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/members/images/14094/Gallery/ipood_lite.jpg
Good job m8, u mite be there a wile digging a hole .. haa haa
Cap'n Badger
11-02-2010, 19:26
Bloody marvelous!.....I like the poopaper in the handle idea.....but ye must not stuff in TOO much paper......would make fer some frustratin' moments while 'air dryin'....pickin' at a tuft o' tissue..lol:eek:
Good job sah!
:You_Rock_
jonajuna
11-02-2010, 19:34
i prefer a biodegradable design myself :)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1269994030_649c4b87b0.jpg
lol
nicely made though :)
Globetrotter.uk
11-02-2010, 20:03
I love it, got the wife to guess what it was and it reminds her of the spud peeler. I think I will make one but try recycling an inner tube for the handle.
FreddyFish
11-02-2010, 20:28
i prefer a biodegradable design myself :)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1005/1269994030_649c4b87b0.jpg
lol
nicely made though :)
LMAO... I quite agree.
(could be a business opportunity here, I know a place I could get my hands on a few of these, what do you think..)
______________________________ ______________________________ ___
'New Improved ECO IPOOD'
- exclusive designer 'God'
- fully biodegradable
- comes in natural camo finish
Only £14.99 + p&p,VAT,handling,petrol money,picking up of the floor charge.
ABSOLUTELY NO RETURNS (for public health reasons)
______________________________ ______________________________ ____
I think I hear the phone... must be the buyer from Blacks.. (maybe)
I am totally impressed!! Nice work!goodjob
Chinkapin
12-02-2010, 02:26
"Real Men" don't use toilet paper. We just use some poison ivy leaves. It was good enough for our grandpas, and its good enough for us!
Now that is a genius bit of design! It's so simple and functional that I am going to show it to my students (I teach Design).
Cracking job! (should that be "jobby"?:))
Matthew.Passmore
12-02-2010, 21:27
Thats really very good, may have to make one.
How about wrapping the handle in a single peice of rubber or something with is liquidproof and wipeable, mape a length of inner tube pulled over it and glued.
Edit: Just saw Globetrotter suggested the innertube already :P must read the whole thread before posting haha
RAPPLEBY2000
12-02-2010, 21:37
I can't see myself ever using a trowel, i just kick a hole with my boot, and scrape out the loose dirt.
1 less thing to carry.
top marks for the DIY though! could you get a Bic lighter in the tube too to burn the paper?
Rain man
13-02-2010, 00:06
I like the sound of the inner tube. I tend not to poo on my tools, as a rule, so thought it was a nice excuse to carry more 550 cord.
Yes theres room fo a lighter, or a teeny bottle of hand sanitiser.
And Kerne you flatter me so. :o
I think I might even make some of my other ideas so you can stick them on the fridge!! :)
Thanks for all your comments.
helixpteron
13-02-2010, 13:51
So its an impoovised trowel! http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/helixpteron/happy0054.gif
jdlenton
13-02-2010, 20:38
Now that is a genius bit of design! It's so simple and functional that I am going to show it to my students (I teach Design).
Cracking job! (should that be "jobby"?:))
I did the same to my students on friday, i then went and cut one out as we were working with the same kind of tube they loved it some of the discussion was brilliant, the faces where a picture:D:cool::lmao: