How to make your own clam gun! (prequel to the lost coast trip)

I have been focussing most of my efforts in backpacking terms these past few months on the sole goal of the Lost Coast of California.  I have been planning a trip most of the year, with my dad, friend Marco, and possibly Mike, and have been thinking into my gear and also many other possibilities that a backpacking trip along the coast presents.

I grew up on the Oregon coast, clamming and crabbing until I didn't think I could take any more of it! (just kidding, I love it!)  My father used to take us at least once a year at low tide, down to the ocean to go clamming.  We did it the old fashioned way.  Shovel, bag/bucket, and your bare hands.  It was a chore and a half to dig up even one clam, due to their speed at digging and their ability to move, albeit slowly.

Enter the Clam Gun!  A simple but effective way to get those pesky clams before they can get too far away!  Here is how I made mine, and I hope to make good use of it on my backpacking trip to the Lost Coast in a few weeks, wrangling up some good clams for some chowder:

Materials:

2' length of 1" PVC pipe
2' length of 4" PCV pipe
Cap for 4" PVC pipe
1 1/2" long 5/16 bolt x 2
5/16 nut x 2
5/16 washer x 2

Tools:

Hack Saw
Battery Drill gun
1/8 drill bit
5/16 drill bit
PVC quick dry glue
Socket Wrench and 5/16 socket
Hammer or Mallet

Instructions:

1. Cut your 2' length of 1" PVC pipe to 14" or whatever length you choose for a good handle length.

2. Center your handle on the cap by itself and duct tape the center of the handle into position.

3. Drill a 1/8 pilot hole with your 1/8 drill bit on either side of the duct tape.

4. Drill a 5/16 hole where you drilled your pilot hole using your 5/16 drill bit.

5. Insert the bolts into the 5/16 holes.

6. Use your mallet/hammer to tap down the inserted bolts.

7. Flip the cap and handle over and place your washer and nut onto both bolts.

8. Tighten both nuts with your socket wrench and 5/16 socket. (you may need an extention to get down into the cap with the wrench.)

9. Apply PVC glue to the inside edge of the cap.

10. Apply PVC glue to the outside edge of the 4" PVC pipe.

11. Push cap down onto the 4" PVC pipe.

12. Gently tap around the rim with your mallet/hammer.  Make sure the cap is level and pushed all the way down.

13.  Allow time for glue to dry!

14. Enjoy your clam gun on any beach (provided you check out the take restrictions and permit requirements first ;-)

I had a blast making mine and it only took about 15 minutes.  Hope you all get a chance to try it someday! (pictures below show more detail of each part of the process)

Andy