How many of you use a floating sifter

[landman]

When do you use one and when to you use the scoop. I find that when I'm using a PI and have to increase the production in order to find the gold I need the sifter. However with a sifter the size of the holes need to 1/4" because I will get small items life earring backs that will drive my detector crazy and me until I locate it and remove it from the area I'm digging.

 

[Craig-PI]

I use a sifter only when digging on beaches where the bottom is made up of silt and clay, I also use a PI but I hunt deep water troughs and most bottom make up is small pea sized gravel and shells so I don't need a sifter for that.. some times a sifter is a PITA because if I turn the PI will pick up the metal in it. Its great for mud/clay but thats it.. And its something else I have to lug around

 

[Black Davy]

I just made myself a sifter using a plastic Garrett 1/2 classifier, I sliced one of those foam floating noodles down the center and zip tied it on I am going to cover half of it with 1/4" mesh and leave the other half alone. I will try it in the lakes this year. I was spending to much time going through my scoop My lake scoop uses 3/8" holes so I dont loose the really small items.

 

[Ocaliman]

I will occasionally use a float sifter if I think I am going to be in an area that may have smaller targets. I use a Beach Brute scoop w/ quarter inch holes, and the trick is to quickly transfer the material from the scoop to the sifter. That way, the target isn't as likely to fall thru the larger holes before I can get it transferred. I made my sifter out of 3" PVC with 4 90 degree elbows. To that I just screwed some screen material to the bottom w/ stainless steel self tapping screws w/ rubber washers (the kind that is used to put sheet metal roofing onto a metal framed building). I then attached an old dog leash with a clip at one end onto the mesh and the other, I slip thru my belt. It floats great, and I can also sink it to the bottom next to the hole with my hand if I am having trouble doing the transfer. I sink it and kneel down on top of it. Then, using my hands, I can move the material into the scoop. This works really well if the sand is filling the hole faster than I can move it with the scoop.