New to forum

[thecommguy]

Been reading here for a little while now. I appreciate everyone for sharing there knowledge. It's inspired me.

Bought my Ace250 last month and have been out a couple of times. Naturally, the machine came through right away. Being as it's been so cold here in Ohio, I only stayed out for a little while. Found coins, a pendant and a copper thingie. Not sure what it is but think it might be a copper splice for electric wires.

I do have a question I'd like to ask everyone. What tools do you carry each time you go out? I'm thinking knee pads might be a good addition.

Thanks again!

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Welcome to the forum! What tools you carry depends on many factors... Are you searching wooded wilderness, or lanscaped property?; What is the terrain you are searching like?

Here is what I always bring. The Detector (of course) , a fresh set of batteries, a probe for landscaped properties, a sand sifter (I do a lot of detecting in pine barrens which have beach-like sand), a trowel for digging (I prefer one with a serrated edge to cut through roots), a plug puller(?)like the ones for planting flowers, bottled water, and my cell phone.

MOST IMPORTANT: IF YOU GO DETECTING ALONE, ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE EXACTLY WHERE YOU WILL BE GOING. Many of the places I detect are far from any civilized areas and have no paved roads and no cell service. If you do this I don't recommend going alone.

 

[Dang]

Hi CommonGuy. I have a pair of cheap knee pads in my detector bag. Also 2 different size flathead screwdrivers. A spade, (made for detecting).. Spare battries, Headphones, a electronic probe. band-aids..and a can of Off! Oh. Can't forget about my goody bag. I have more things in my car's trunk. Do you wanaa know whats it that too?

 

[Uncle Willy]

I don't use knee pads but that is a matter of choice. I carry several things. Large and small tablespoons - quality coin digger like the EZ-Digger - hunting knife - a 20-inch screwdriver with the end ground off round, used as a probe - large screwdriver for popping coins - spare batteries - slotted vegetable spoon for retrieving items from sand - couple of Viva paper towels - long pair of plastic tweezers.

You can use less but these are my choices. Also,if you dig on public or private property don't dig or leave any big holes and leave the area looking like it was when you arrived. Don't be a stranger, keep us posted on your finds and post pics if you can. Good luck.

Bill

 

[John-Edmonton]

1) For just quick shallow "coin-popping" I just take along a screwdriver. It serves as both pinpointer/coin popper. Now this is for shallow coins only. I use mostly my ACE 250 sniper coil + GTP 1350/Stock coil for this.....

2) Deeper coins, I take a digger, screwdriver (to pinpoint)an electronic probe and I generally use the 1350 or 1500, as it gives me an accurate depth and size reading.

3) Hunting in the sand, I use my largest coil on either the GTP 1350/ACE 250, a long handled sand scoop with a wire mesh basket that is light, dig every signal and throw all the trash in the garbage where the most people are....a good PR gesture

4)For water hunting I use a water proof detector, a special sand scoop made of stainless steel and a wet suit to keep me warm. In the fall, I wear chest waiters with thermals + jeans underneath to stay warm.

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[thecommguy]

Thanks you all for your replys. I saw a message a little while ago about coin popping, and you mention it here but I don't quite get it. How is this done? Is it easier then digging?

I went out for about a half hour today. I could get about an inch down then found the ground to frozen to dig. I guess I need to be more patient and wait for the ground the thaw out.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

[quote thecommguy]I saw a message a little while ago about coin popping, and you mention it here but I don't quite get it. How is this done? Is it easier then digging?


Coin Popping is a technique used to recover coins when digging unsightly holes is not practical, for example on a landscaped lawn. People do not love seeing the divots on there lawn left by careless dirt fishermen. I prefer NOT to use a screwdriver. I ruined my first valuable coin with a big scratch on the obverse. You can buy a probe at your MD/hobby store for about 12 dollars, or you can make one yourself. The probe looks like a screwdriver, but does not widen at the tip. Instead it has a smooth, round tip. Take a long thin screwdriver to any auto mechanic who can grind it to a smooth tip.

The "popping" technique takes practice.First pinpoint the coin, then carefully push the probe into the soil until you feel the tap of metal on metal. It may take a couple of tries to find the coin at first, but you will get better at it. You can work the soil by moving the probe back and
forth, then "push" the coin to the surface using the probe and a finger.

Hope this helps

 

[thecommguy]

Thank you Camman. I'll try that.

 

[John-Edmonton]

In my world, coin popping means working those shallow areas, just carpeted with coins,(mostly pennies) where you find a shallow coin quickly and pop it out of the ground with a flick of the wrist. There are no old coins here. Now I use the other method also where you probe for the coin, (with a brass probe) make a circular motion with a screwdriver (creating a small hole)then working the coin up to the surface.

 

[Uncle Willy]

"Popping" is basically shoving a srewdriver down under the coin and popping it out of the ground. The condition of the soil will determine how deep you can do this.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Best way to retrieve a coin from a manicured lawn is with a knife such as a hunting knife. Locate the coin with a probe then shove the knife down alongside and just past the coin, then push the knife forwards and backwards in a straight line, then rock it side to side to widen the slit, then reach in with your probe and pop the coin into the slit and retrieve it. Then step hard on the slit and it disappears and no one even knows you were there.

Bill