I tried to learn something today...........

[oldranger]

SO i went with just a
probe and a screwdriver to retrieve ...
Thee were enough good signals that I should
have come home with a few coins .. .i got 1!!!!

and that was 1/2 way out of the ground ...

Im pretty goood pinpointing with the GTI so
I know it isnt the machine .its my technique ...
I made more of a mess with the screwdriver than i ever did
with a digging tool .. its Me so i need
some tips inf advise etc etc


As usual thanks in advance

Ron

Rangers Lead The Way

 

[BusDigger]

Ron, every time I try & learn something, all I get is a headache

Seriously, my "main" tool for coin retrieval (in sod) is the screwdriver at the bottom of the pic.

I notched (the width of the screwdriver blade) and welded a flat washer to a screwdriver (with a comfortable rubber handle), and can work it into the ground just behind a coin, and flip it out of the ground more times than not. Results will vary (on soil conditions), but this is the least intrusive method for me.

I also have an Ames digger, but seldom use it anymore. Now & then I'll be off to one side, but I've gotten pretty good at pinpointing, which is the name of the game. Now in a crop field....I use a tile spade since it saves bending over, and I can use a foot to mash the dirt to locate the target, so the only stooping I to is to actually pick-up my find, then use my foot or the spade to replace the dirt (even though it's farm field, I still fill the hole).

Smitty

 

[oldcoon]

I admire anyone who can successfully use a probe.
I have seen a few diggers who were really good with theirs.
I am not one of these.
Like the oldranger I am largely unsuccessful whenever I tried going the probe route.
In fact I have often made a perfect bollix of the job.
Sort of like a small gopher with a sore behind.
To successful probe recoveries everywhere, I salute you.

 

[ba5online]

Use your detector to get close. Use a Garrett Pro Pointer to get dead on and save yourself time and needless diggin'.

HTH!

Ace 250, Garrett Pro Pointer - What a smooooth combination!

 

[Uncle Willy]

About the only way I have ever done it. Very rarely use a digger of any kind.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

What's your main problem bud?

Bill

 

[oldranger]

Poping the coin out without making a mess
Im having a prob geting the coin centered
over the screwdriver i guess

Ron

RLTW

 

[BusDigger]

Ron, try burying a coin, then marking it with something like a wood/plastic golf tee and practice pinpointing. If I remember correctly, many who use the 250 claim when they PP it's just inside the coil at the top, but when I PP it's always just in front of the stem. Also, I PP by audio, listening for the strongest signal, as opposed to watching the strength meter (which I never do). Once I PP, I "back-up" my tool (the modified screwdriver) about an inch, push it about 3" into the dirt & slowly push the handle towards me which will either pop-out a plug, or rip the sod open (depending on soil conditions). I'd venture a pretty good guess that better than 60% of the time, I'll see the coin in the hole.

Smitty

 

[metalhead]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SssMWmuWHA

 

[BusDigger]

What you aren't shown is when he wiggles the shovel back & forth, he's compacting the soil which will leave a 1/2"-1" gap on the side of the plug. Looks to me like a good way to get booted from a property. Also, if one is in a public area (like a park or school), walking around with a shovel is another good way to be asked to leave, and ruining it for someone else in the future. I think anything one can do to lessen the expectations from a property owner that one will be excavating their property, the better. There's not a coin out there than needs a 12" diameter hole to be recovered.

That's just my .02 cents worth

Smitty

 

[BusDigger]

I've failed to add, the modified screwdriver I use can also be used as a small trowel/digger.....and if I do miss my PPing, I can dig "sideways" under the sod, leaving a small initial opening. I also use a drop cloth (small piece of heavy black plastic visqueen that easily folds up & stays in my pouch) to catch loose dirt. Many times if you can keep all the crumbs in the hole, it goes far to "hide" any evidence you were ever there.

I recall damaging a coin or two with a trowel, but never with the round washer. Not saying it can't happen though.

Smitty

 

[hershey1]

I can't ever remember digging a plug that big for a coin. Just my 2. HH

 

[oldranger]

Pinpointing with the detector isnt th prob
its getting the screwdriver under the coin
to pop it out thats driving me
Oh well i still have a long time to practice

thanks for all the tips and advise and thats a
good video metalh

Ron

Rangers Lead The Way

 

[BusDigger]

Ron, there's no "rule" that says you have to get the coin on the 1st attempt, so you can always go back into the hole again. If I ever get deemed worthy to have Private Message rights....shoot me a PM with a mailing address. I have an extra one I'll send you (free) and you can see if it makes things any easier.

Smitty

 

[Uncle Willy]

Have you seen my diagram that I've posted several times? I'll dig it up and post it again. Here tis. Probe for the coin with a probe and when you locate it leave the probe there then slide the tip of a big screwdriver down and under the coin. Then pull the probe out and lay the handle up against the screwdriver shaft to act as a fulcrum then press down on the handle of the screwdriver as shown in the pic and pop the coin out of the ground. The ground usually opens up like a clam shell then all you have to do is step on it hard to return it to normal. It takes a bit of practice but easy as pie.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

I was in a park once where some idiot had dug big, flat, plugs two feet in diameter. I've filled a lot of twelve inch holes left behind by some ding bat. Just astounds me as to what these people are thinking when you dig a hole that size to retrieve an object one-inch in diameter.

Bill