probe that won't nick coins?

[littleoldman2]

I am reading all the pages that I can prior to purchasing a 250. Saw one about nicking a coin. What if I were to use a 1 eight brass welding rod with the piont rounded off and polished smooth. I also had another thought what about using the broken tip from a graphite fishing rod or a band conductors baton? Any thoughts? "LittleOldMan"

 

[gordygroover]

the brass rod will probably do ya fine. I use one and even though it bends easily it does work. Be carefull however because the brass has a tendancey to sharpen itself with use.
If you want to go the fishing rod method that will work too. Epoxy the rod end into a drilled out golf ball and you will be good to go.

 

[rglyons]

I went to Tractor Supply and got a three foot brass rod that would fit into a file handle. Cut it into three pieces, and with three file handles I had one to use and two for backups or to give away. I also rounded off the ends. I like a longer than normal probe, so the foot length wasn't bad. (You could cut it into four pieces and have four nine inch probes) I've had one for about fifteen years and it's still going strong. Good Luck! You'll like the 250. I sure do like mine. Just wish I could hunt more with all the heart problems I have.

 

[indyflyer]

The brass rod will work, keep an eye on the tip, touch it up frequently to keep it smooth & round. I've been trying a bamboo chopstick, so far works as well as the brass rod I was using. It won't snap in two like a wood dowel, won't nick a coin, and you can get a dozen of them for $3. I glued a golf ball on the end so it fits in my palm when in use.

 

[Uncle Willy]

All would work including nylon probes. They sell brass probes but you can make your own as you mentioned. I use a 26-inch Phillips with the tip ground round and dipped in epoxy resin.

Bill

 

[handsome3096]

n/t

 

[NM5K]

I use a screwdriver with the tip ground and polished down. Before that I used
the push rod that is sitting next to it. I keep the screwdriver along with two
extra push rods in my pouch. I suppose it's still possible to scratch coins if
you really shoved it against them, but overall I don't get much damage with the
blunt smooth tips. The push rod works well, but I wanted a fancy handle..
You can buy push rods at the auto parts fairly cheap. That one is from a ford
300 six banger.

 

[Blink]

You can try using a fiberglass rod from a driveway reflector post, drill a hole into a golf ball for the handle and round off the other end. Works great and it won't scratch your coins. Easy to make and it won't break or bend.

 

[KRT (Ont)]

I have a probe I believe came from Garrett years ago and I had my buddy braze on a small ball bearing, which works great, no scratching of coins, I also have a fiberglass probe which once was an alignment tool for adjusting coils on TVs. My recovery method is probing a target then using a pair of duckbill pliers which I use to make a hole the size of my finger, then using my finger and probe I remove the coin from the hole and squeeze the ground together which leaves no sign of recovery. I have just recently came up with another gadget which will allow me to get the deeper coins from the finger sized hole, but will have to wait till spring to perfect it. HH Ken