Geoduck tube dimensions

I plan on getting a Geoduck tube made this week and wondering if these dimensions I'm thinking of are adequate for Geoducking?
My assumption is it should do the job...

Diameter 22"
Height 32"

Would appreciate some feed back from Geoduck masters on the board regarding dimensions on the tube.

I always used a "30 gallon" grease drum that had the ends cut off and handles added. Dimensions sound about right.

Skysteelhead -
Your tube sounds a little large to me. Are you looking for a single or two man operation? One of the challenges in using a tube for digging geoducks is getting the tube in and out of the ground. The other factor you need to decide is whether you want to get your body inside the tube as you attempt to reach the clam our just use your arm?

If you are going to rely on reaching inside the tube with your arm anything over 30 inches long or 18 inches in diameter is wasted and makes the task of inserting and extracting the tube more difficult. If you are going to get inside then the tube needs to be large enough to allow your shoulder to get inside.

35 years ago my father and I made a couple of tubes out of 30 inch pieces of 18 inch corrugated culvert. An inch below one edge we drilled a couple holes that allow for us to insert a piece of re-bar that serves as a temporary handle. With the handled insert can screw the tube in the ground 3 or 4 inches, remove the inside material repeating until able to reach the clam. Once the clam is removed it is a simple matter to "unscrew " the tube. My son and I are still using the same tubes and my back really appreciates not having to pull the tube out of the much with brute force.

Tight lines
Curt

snit, Thanks for your response. I tried to look for an empty drum barrel to make a tube out of one but I wasn't able to find one...
I think that would be one of the most economical choice to make a tube.

Smalma, Thanks for your detailed advise.
My Geoducking trips will definitely require minimum of two people and I'll always be the one to dive in head first to reach and grab those giants.
So that's how I decided on my dimensions.
However, I think 18" diameter & 30" height should also do fine for me and I'll consider your dimensions when I order up a tube.
I looked for either corrugated culverts or commercial grade large PCV pipes but being those items are commercial grade and you have to buy big sticks with high dollar tags...
So I've decided to have one made out of stainless steel at a local welding shop.

SkySteelhead,
I have a 55 gal. drum with your name on it It may be bigger than you need but..........

WOW,Man sized clam guns you all talkin bout.I'll stay on the porch.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Maximum Harvest !!

Cool thanks, Randy!
I'll call ya and swing by this week to check it out.




Oh yeah Man sized clam guns!

Ours is 18 x 30... just wide enough for me to get my head and shoulder in, but I'm skinny. I would recommend not going with the drum. I've seen guys get those stuck in the sand and not able to get them out.

sugy33,
Thanks for sharing your tube dimensions!
I have fairly broad shoulders so I'll probably go a bit larger diameter that would work for me.
Yeah I was thinking of adverse impact buddies and myself may experience trying to man handle a 55 gal drum in the thick mud & sand.

Sounds good Charlie,
I'l be leavin the shop Thursday at 3:30 to go to Kirkland for a meeting with my web guy. Other than that I'm her all the time.
Are you going to the movie this weekend ??
RS

For a light and cheap one. Connect 3 pieces of 6" stove pipe together. Trim to length. Then make three handles that overlap the seams to hold them together.