| Special
Tools
For the enthusiast who is not content with just a
tablespoon, there are a number of items of kit that may be
of use to the dedicated sand collector. Many are on the
expensive side but might be useful if you want to get really
serious about sand collecting.
Sand Auger
This is essentially a long hollow metal tube with a sampling bit on
one end and a T-shaped handle on the other. It's pushed into the ground and then withdrawn and
the samples collected from the open slot along one side of
the main tube. They can be used to collect samples
from a variety of depths, even in excess of ten metres but
some considerable effort is required!
Soil Sampler
The soil sampler is like a mini sand auger but is limited to
shallow depths, up to about one metre, as it does not have
the ability to be extended. Looks like a elongated t-shaped
metal rod. A shorter version, about 300 mm long is also
widely available.
Sand Ruler
If you want to be able to assess the size of grains in a
sample of sand, then you need a sand ruler or sand gauge. It
looks like a round plastic dish with various small
compartments within which are housed different known sizes
of sand particles. Your own sand is placed in the centre of
the ruler and compared to estimate the size. The only
drawback I'm come across is that they are difficult to
source. The only place I've found then is The Netherlands.
I'll post more when I find a way of obtaining one.
Sand Shaker Kit
If you want to separate the different sizes of sand grains
in any given sample you would use a sand shaker kit. This is
a series of different sized sieves that stack vertically
together, with a container at the bottom. The sample is
poured in the top and the stack shaken by hand. The
different sized grains are retained in the range of sieves
that make up the shaker. You could use this to make your own
sand ruler or sand chart.
Sand Chart
The sand chart is a plastic laminated card that allows you
to visually determine sand grain sizes. The chart includes
size classification from silt to very coarse, roundness
chart with actual sand grains, bed thickness classification,
field checklist, geologic time scale, and two carbonate
classification charts.
Hand Mill
The hand mill is essentially a small hand-powered grinding
mill that attached to a bench with a sturdy clamp and is
used to crush small rock fragments down to very fine sand,
roughly between 75 and 100 microns. They are not cheap,
costing around £150.00 or so, but are more efficient than
simply using a hammer to break up sandstone, hard clay or whatever. Microscope
If you really want to get up close and personal with your sand then
a microscope is the best way of doing so. Again, not a cheap
item of kit, with decent models costing from around £500
upwards. For viewing sand grains you need a stereo
microscope with magnifications between 10 and 50 times and
if you want to take photographs, start adding another £500
or more.
Hand Lens
A less costly way to inspect your samples is a hand lens.
This is essentially a small magnifying glass housed inside a
protective housing. They cost between £10.00 and £25.00
with a range of magnifications available between 7 times and 20
times. |
