On your 11" DD coils-----have you guys inspected the inside of the ears lately (where the shaft affixes to the coil).-----Is the inside of the ears starting to get a cutting (grooving) from the swivelling of the coil shaft on the coil during use?----That is happening to one of our 11" coils and I'm a little concerned about it--those ears are MIGHTY thin.------Doesn't FT recommend using no coil washers on the 11" DD coil, therefore the shaft can/does cut grooves in the ears.-----So what's the solution then?----If you put coil washers on (even thin ones), the pressure on the ears from the shaft & washers could well crack the coil housing where the ears are molded to the housing.------Anybody got any suggestions/remedy for this problem?-----These coils are expensive!------------Del
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Coil "ear" issue??
- Thread starter D&P-OR
- Start date
Del I don't have that problem but I think they recommend 1 washer. That being said 2 thin nylon fender washers 1 on each side may keep you from having a more serious problem. You are right about the thickness of those ears. They need to be like the ears on the 5 inch coil. You and Patsy have a good day. HH 
CarolinaClyde
New member
You can get by without using any washers, but you will weaken the "ears" on the coil to the breaking point if you try and use two washers.
Clyde------That's what I have been doing on that one coil, not using any washers because the shaft is so tight on the coil ears that I'm afraid it might well break the ears even if I used one washer.------Even if one washer was used, it would still cut grooves in at least the washer-less side (on the inside of the ears).-----I'll bet if some of the guys examine their 11" DD coils they will see the same thing with theirs.------I know one thing for sure---anytime you are forcing that shaft between the coil ears with a lot of pressure---you are risking cracking the ear/housing molding.------I'm just trying to figure out what to do to stop that groove cutting on the inside of the ears.-----Maybe file down the shaft (where the washers go) and then using REAL THIN washers?------I'm open to suggestions!--------DelCarolinaClyde said:
Big Boys Hobbies
Well-known member
Do you rotate coil allot? I've never seen this problem. Only broken ears by using more than I washer.
NOPE!----Just normal hunting as I have done for going on 36 years and haven't had this problem with other coils.----I'm beginning to think I have a coil that has narrower (spaced) ears than "normal".----Also, it could possibly be a wee bit wider lower shaft (where it connects to the coil)--if so, I'm putting another shaft on that coil.-----I'm going to check all that for exact measurements--that's my next "plan of attack".-----I want to thank everyone that has responded to this, much appreciated.-----Check your coils guys!Big Boys Hobbies said:
------------DelBig Boys Hobbies
Well-known member
Maybe try a very thin coat of silicon grease. Might attract to much dirt and make it worse though. 
I have never been fond of using a direct coil ear-to-solid roop-tip connection. It is just too easy top not get the coil positioned properly, at times, and if the search coil is not too snug and is allowed to flop and wiggle then there will be wear on the both the rod tip mounting as well as the inside dog ears on the coil.
Some of the worst cases of that wear-and-tear that I have seen were with the early Tesoro models that didn't have rubber washers. Then they did provide washers, but ended up using two different thicknesses in order to get the coil snug without too much pressure to flex the mounting ears outward. The results were either too much flexing and I saw cracked coil housings or ears just broken off completely, or the rubber washers were too thin and there wasn't enough washer to make a major difference and, again, I often saw the grooved wear on the inside of the dog-ear on the coil and/or wear on the rod piece because the washer didn't really protrude beyond the edge.
Now, there are two things to do in order to eliminate the wear we might see on the Teknetics coils and rod-mount tips (or similar designs):
1.. Make sure the rod/coil connector is snugged up, firmly, so that the search coil is held in place in the operating position. You shouldn't have a 'floppy' coil.
2.. As instructed in most Operator's Manuals, keep the search coil 1"-2" off the ground when searching. This will eliminate bumps and such that can move it from a set position.
3.. Use rubber washers. See below;
My 5" DD coil 'ears' were slightly wider than the other coils and it was supplied with a single (1) rubber washer. I used a couple of slightly thinner washers for my 5" DD that I keep on a spare lower rod.
The other coils are, as noted, a very tight fit and can cause gouging when the search coil is flexed up and down. I don't use a detector bag or mess with my coil angle, if I can help it, but some folks do bend the coil back to fit it in a bag or their vehicle. This can cause wear.
On my other rods I simply used some caution and ground the outer 'ring' portion of the lower rod and the center piece that you put the bolt through so that they were narrower. Then I used two rubber washers that provide a proper fit that snugs up well with the connecting bolt. That way my search coil stays firmly in place with pressure from rubber washers, this keeps the plastic rod from contacting the 'dog ears' of the search coil. Results? No wear or damage.
Monte
Some of the worst cases of that wear-and-tear that I have seen were with the early Tesoro models that didn't have rubber washers. Then they did provide washers, but ended up using two different thicknesses in order to get the coil snug without too much pressure to flex the mounting ears outward. The results were either too much flexing and I saw cracked coil housings or ears just broken off completely, or the rubber washers were too thin and there wasn't enough washer to make a major difference and, again, I often saw the grooved wear on the inside of the dog-ear on the coil and/or wear on the rod piece because the washer didn't really protrude beyond the edge.
Now, there are two things to do in order to eliminate the wear we might see on the Teknetics coils and rod-mount tips (or similar designs):
1.. Make sure the rod/coil connector is snugged up, firmly, so that the search coil is held in place in the operating position. You shouldn't have a 'floppy' coil.
2.. As instructed in most Operator's Manuals, keep the search coil 1"-2" off the ground when searching. This will eliminate bumps and such that can move it from a set position.
3.. Use rubber washers. See below;
My 5" DD coil 'ears' were slightly wider than the other coils and it was supplied with a single (1) rubber washer. I used a couple of slightly thinner washers for my 5" DD that I keep on a spare lower rod.
The other coils are, as noted, a very tight fit and can cause gouging when the search coil is flexed up and down. I don't use a detector bag or mess with my coil angle, if I can help it, but some folks do bend the coil back to fit it in a bag or their vehicle. This can cause wear.
On my other rods I simply used some caution and ground the outer 'ring' portion of the lower rod and the center piece that you put the bolt through so that they were narrower. Then I used two rubber washers that provide a proper fit that snugs up well with the connecting bolt. That way my search coil stays firmly in place with pressure from rubber washers, this keeps the plastic rod from contacting the 'dog ears' of the search coil. Results? No wear or damage.
Monte
Thanks Monte (and everyone) for your suggestions.-----Monte, that last paragraph you made is what I think I am going to do----carefully grind down the shaft (connector) that connects to the coil & put thin washers on that shaft.----That one 11" coil is the only one I am having any real trouble with and this should remedy the situation. 
--------Thanks again to everyone.------------Del
--------Thanks again to everyone.------------DelI appreciate your "respectful submission" and while acknowledge that in some circumstances, and with the proper detector and coil in hand, and with proper ground balance being adjusted, you CAN get good or slightly better results if you keep the coil on, or very close to, the ground.NealNoIN said:
I am not a fan of 'scrubbing' the search coil for several reasons. For one, the wear-and-tear of the abrasion on the equipment, as well as adding to fatigue, but mainly due to the interruption of a nice-and-proper sweep speed and coil presentation. I personally work my coils very close to the ground, about
I have the same problems with the ears on my 11"DD coil. The distance between the ears on my coil was so tight when I bought it new that you could not have possibly put in a rubber washer without snapping the ears off. I was quite surprised that my detector did not come with the rubber washer when bought new. I know my F75's came with one washer. Well the ears on my 11" DD for my Goldbug SE version 29 finally wore down enough that one snapped completely off and the other half way through. I called Felix and he gave me the excuse that I had tightened my coil to tightly and it would not be covered under warranty. COME ON I have never broke the ears off of a coil on a FT Product. I have used my Goldbug for a year and had no problems. I am not dumb and I take care of my equipment. This is a manufacturing issue that is obvious to anyone with common sense. I know that any two parts that connect and pivot against one another needs a washer or that connecting point will wear from friction after some use. The grooves that are cut into the ears of this coil are pretty deep, it is obvious that this weakened the coil ears and caused them to fail.
I use a washer on both sides, it doesn't make sense to me to use a washer on one side. I wonder if F.T. screwed up when they made the mold and recommend using one washer to cover up their goof and not have to make a new mold with ears wide enough apart to accommodate 2 washers .