This original invention is designed to easily and effectively pick up small pieces of trash, specifically at the beach. It allows the sand to fall through the slits on the side while trapping pieces of trash littering beaches as small as cigarette butts. The curve of the main shaft also allow it to be easily carried and utilized.

Step 1: Gather Materials and Tools

You will need:

Materials

-electrical metal tubing (1/2" conduit)

-#8-32 1/2" long screws (2)

-6" round ground atrium drain grate

-#8-32 nut and lockwasher (2)

-washers (2)

-bicycle handle grip

-electrical tape

Tools

-bench vice

-conduit bender

-drill

-screw driver and wrench

Step 2: Prepare Metal Tubing

First, measure about 2" away from one end of the tubing and mark it. At the mark, place the tubing in the vice and flatten it as much as possible.

Step 3: Drill Holes in the Tubing

Secure the metal tubing in the vice and using a center punch and ball peen hammer, mark where you'd like the holes to go. Then use the drill to drill the initial holes before finding the correct drill bit that matches the screws.

Step 4: Bending the Metal Tubing

First make a line about a foot away from each end of the tubing. At the end with the flattened tip and drill holes, use the conduit bender to make a bend that is at about a 22 degree angle (depending on the tool, it might have a mark at this point). Then at the opposite end, which will be the handle end, use the conduit bender to make it almost like a half-circle.

Step 5: Prepare the Drain Grate

Secure the drain grate on the vice, and use the same drill bit as used for the metal tubing to make identical holes in the drain grate. It is recommended to mark these holes before drilling. Make sure the holes match up to those on the metal tubing.

Step 6: Attaching the Handle

In this case, I only had an old bicycle handle grip to work with which proved to be too large to fit securely on the end of the metal tubing. To fix that, I just layered on electrical tape until the handle fit properly (plus some hot glue just in case).

Step 7: Final Assembly

Line up the holes on both the metal tubing and the drain grate, with the metal tubing positioned on the inside of the drain grate, and insert the screws. Though not necessary, putting washers on the outside helps prevent any cracking of the drain grate. Then secure the screws with the lock washer and nut.