— by Jack Kertesz
The tools displayed here are HACKS. (Check https://farmhack.org/tools to see what innovative farmers are up to.)
These are attempts to produce effective hand tools that can be made locally or DIY, at a reduced cost. All could use some final adjustments to make them more durable and practical. They are presented here with the hope that you will be inspired to come up with your own ideas and creations. Hack away!
You are welcome to give any of them a try at the Common Ground Fair.
(Most of these are useful for removing small (thread stage) weeds). A stone free, light soil, also makes them practical.
YOUR FEEDBACK IS WELCOME! I can be reached at jkertesz@mofga.org .
SPOONBILL 1
#1 Spoonbill
This spoon like hoe was made by a blacksmith, from a disc harrow blade.
A slit pipe, used to attach the handle, was then welded in place. It functions pretty well for light digging, trenching and making furrows. Make friends with a farmer/fabricator, if you want one of these.
#2 Roller Coaster
ROLLER COASTER 2
This is simply a 3” paint roller, with the roller cage detached.
Despite not being flattened or having a sharp edge, the round rod is still quite deft at removing weeds. The rounded side can be utilized to snuggle right up to plants or plastic mulch. The open side can be used to sweep under the canopy of plants. It’s interesting to use the adjustable length handle and see how it compares to the Swiss (REAL) design, with it’s rather hefty ash handle. Overall, this cheapie may be just as effective in controlling weeds, and when you’re done with it, the handle will still handle painting chores. It should be noted that the original (nickel?) finish wore off after just moderate use.
WIREY WEEDER (DubblEndah) 3
#3 Wirey Weeder
Made from a cross support of a discarded
pop up canopy, and 2 fabric anchoring pins.
Lightweight and cheap, it is pretty effective on small weeds and gets into tight spaces.
The wire conforms to the shape of your making, seems to hold up to frequent use and fits rather securely in the holes of the cross section.
Two shorter versions can be made from one mangled piece, for close encounters.
DIAMOND CUTOFF SAW BLADE CHOPPING HOE 7
#7 Diamond Cutoff Sawblade Chopping Hoe
Blades like these wear down and are often discarded. This will handle light chopping tasks. It is actually less aggressive at removing weeds than it looks. The handle attachment is simple- a section of pipe, welded onto the blade, was slitted for a press fit. A bolt or pin can secure it.
CRUTCH MASTER 5
#5 Crutchmaster
This functions like a double wheel hoe, without wheels. It can be used to go over taller crops like young carrots and can get in pretty close, depending on your finesse and wire configuration. Most importantly, it completes two operations in a single pass! Adding different handle configurations could give you more comfort and control. These are from the ends of a mountain bike handlebar. Sure to raise eyebrows. CAUTION: Not to be employed if you fall down laughing. TRY IT.
RECYCLE STRAP HOE 10
#10 Recycled Strap Hoe
This design uses discarded metal shipping bands, whatever long (and perhaps wild harvested – this one is willow) material you can source for the handle and retired bicycle inner tubes as fasteners. Sounds easy? Watch Dr Eric Brennan’s fun and instructional video online for build details.
CHEAP, simple to make and it works fine.
The two distinct ends and the extra long length handle give you hoeing options and an extended reach. Originally designed as an affordable tool for field workers to use alongside plastic covered beds of strawberries to reduce tearing.
OUT OF THE WOODS HANDLE “INSTRUCTORS”
These represent an effort to “listen” to how odd twists in trees affect the feel and ergonomic qualities of a working handle. Does it make sense to not have my wrists lined up in parallel with each other as a straight handle would dictate? What about weight and flex? Does that allow for the tool to have greater oomph while reducing the load on my arms or is it too jiggly?
In comparison, these may make some factory made handles feel a bit clunky, heavy and lifeless.
These are made from winter harvested native Speckled Alder, a tall, clumping shrub that regenerates quickly when cut.
MUTINEER WIRE HOE HEAD RETROFIT 8
#8 Mutineer Wire Retrofit
Connor Crickmore of Neversink Farm mentions making your own wire weeder in one of his videos. This is a semi-hack, where I took one of his quick attach Mutineer heads and fastened it to a handle from a broken plastic leaf rake. I like that the handle is light and yet strong enough to wipe out younger weeds. Various Mutineer heads can be purchased from Johnny’s Selected Seeds or online. They are an upscale adaptation of a concept that has been around for awhile and have become the favorite tool for a number of growers.
HOSE CLAMP TRIAD ON A STICK 6
#6 Hoseclamp Triad on a Stick
I have used a short handled hose clamp hoe in the past, and it is a pretty effective little tool to carry in your back pocket for up close weeding. This version, once again, “asks” you to consider how the handle plays into the effectiveness of the tool. (In some cases, maybe even this one, it “wreaks” rather than “rocks”). The materials are easy to source, and put together however, and then you can decide if it’s a “go” or “throw”.
That extra branch sticking out isn’t a design flaw or intended to be a hat holder. Leaving things like that can sometimes lead to more possibilities. Does that curved end help?
Remember, none of this was intentionally designed.
ROW MARKER 4
#4 Row Marker
I have used this tool over the years to help mark out parallel rows for direct seeding or transplanting. It really helps to set up beds with a device like this to later aid in the weeding process. I use wheel hoes at times which allow me to work the area between rows quickly and effectively. The layout using this tool also gives ample growing space for the plants. Used again, but at 90 degrees to the first pass in the soil, it will give you a grid for transplanting. The handle is from a retired pool skimmer.Extending it out allows you to walk alongside beds more comfortably. This spacing works for 30” beds. Other markers could be added to the top and the rake could be flipped upside down. Ideally, they would be adjustable for different crops.
TORSION WEEDER 9
#9 Torsion Weeder
This is a first attempt (like most of the tools seen here) to make something comparable to weeders used by commercial farmers on large equipment. The idea is to get up close to a plant and wipe out small weeds on both sides of the row. It uses “wiggle wire”, the stuff used to lock into channels on greenhouses to hold down the plastic. Needs more R&D.
Neversink Tools carries one of these if you want to skip the hassle.
BONEHEAD DESIGNS LLC (Laugh, Learn, Create)
Bonehead Designs is a therapeutic outlet for the creative juices of Jack Kertesz, with part time contributions from his sons, and a few wacky friends.
It’s an effort to foster an appreciation for the “make do” economy, part of Maine’s heritage, and dear to the heart of dump pickers and cheapskates around the globe. If you feel compelled to send me your sympathy in regards to my sanity, I can be reached at jkertesz@mofga.org .
