Ultimate Weed Removal Tool

I was tired of crawling through the lawn on my hands and knees using a hand-held weeding tool because I DO NOT like using chemicals on the lawn with pets, kids, and wildlife also being on it.  I saw a similar tool at the BigBox store with a telescoping handle that would get me off the ground, but they wanted $11 for it.  I knew there was a better (and cheaper) way.  I was inspired by Clint's Dandy Digger!  I had part of an old crib frame that would provide the angle iron, but I wasn't sure I could weld the foot peg on just like they did for the dandy digger.  After starting to cut the extra parts off of the frame I saw the answer...

Follow along as I create an awesome weeder that can be used standing up.

***This instructable involves power tools (welder, reciprocating saw, drill, & grinder).  Please make sure you wear safety gear and know how to use a power tool before you attempt this instructable.***

I had an old crib frame in the garage and thought it would be perfect to supply the angle iron for this project.

I cut the end off of the frame that had a 90* bracket welded to it with a reciprocating saw and 3-in-1 oil to cool things down and preserve the blade.  This bracket ends up being reused.

In order for this tool to dig easily into the ground you need to cut an angle on one end of the angle iron.  I attempted to cut a 45* angle but really I just eye-balled it.  You just need it to be "pointy" enough to penetrate the ground but not so steep to make grabbing the roots difficult.  I used the reciprocating saw again for this cut but then finished it with a grinder equipped with a cut off wheel (the grinder is MESSY but much easier and faster to make cuts with).

I used the grinder to remove paint on the angle iron and bracket.  I ground the paint off from about 4" from the point to 7" from the point, and all surfaces to be welded on the bracket.

I used vice grips to hold the to parts together with the bottom of the bracket about 4" up from the pointed end.  Using a MIG welder I welded around on each side (sorry for the lack of pictures of this process).

I just happened to have an old hockey stick in the garage but I am sure with some ingenuity a round handle could also be used.  I clamped the handle to the weeder with a C-Clamp and quick-grip clamp then pre-drilled the holes in the metal (again with 3-in-1 oil) and using self tapping screws attached the handle to the weeder.

Before getting too far I tried it out on the weeds next to the garage.  Place the tool in the ground with hand power (or use the foot peg if the ground is hard/rocky), pry back and wait for the *pop* of the root.

The only paint I had around was white (i would have preferred black or something florescent) but anything to prevent rust is necessary after all the cutting, grinding, and welding.