Prototype sand scoop for micro jewelry

[scoopjohnb]

Biggest problem with scoops and jewelry hunting is interference between scoop and detector.
I needed something non metallic on a long handle to be efficient in target collection.
Don't intend to sift at the beach, just collect a small amount of sand containing the target and dump it in a pouch.
Then sift at home.

Prototype micro jewelry scoop for dry sand hunting.
Foamed up carbon reinforced landing net handle.
Thickest walled fishing rod transportation tube cut into a scoop.
Large collar end cap.
Handle secured through scoop with precisely cut and slightly offset elliptical holes, making the tubing actually grab the handle.
Everything glued up with liberal amounts of LocTite.

Well at least it is completely non-metallic, so I can scoop up and scan hole and scoop containing target.
Needs a test run.

 

[tomcatpl]

bring more sand home that will go well with the wife

 

[dewcon4414]

You have to be using a pretty good machine to pick up micro gold. True you wont get much depth on those targets..... but lets say you are using a Gold bug out there. You are going to fill your pouch FAST and HEAVY just with gum wrappers and sand. You might want to rethink not filtering on the beach..... or bring some 5 gal. buckets for the task. You are going to save little time NOT sifting while there. You did a great job on the scoop.

Dew

 

[scoopjohnb]

Took the scoop and pouch to the beach for a test run.
Scoop is about 5" diameter, same as the width of my 10x5" coil on the low frequency prospecting unit. Around 20 kHz.
Small target sens is maxed out at 5", at about this depth our sand is damp. You can easily build sandcastles.
So any fast sifting and small target recovery isn't an option.

Dig target, dump, smear with coil and scoop a hand full of sand. Dump in pouch.
Large targets and large foil you can easily ID during the smear.
Small targets get dumped in the pouch.

At home I dumped the pouch in a large flowerpot tray and started detecting with a pinpointer.
Foil, foil, more foil and Mini Bling.

Gilded silver tag off a bracelet. Pic taken on the back of my hand.

Result for an hours detecting a few coins, my first Mini Bling and a great detecting adventure!

HH All

 

[dewcon4414]

If it works for you....... thats what makes the world go around. Necessity.... the mother of invention.

Dew

 

[tvr]

...a great detecting adventure!

That's what it is all about!
tvr

 

[Cajuncoinhunter]

Great job of ingenuity on your part. There is a guy on youtube who makes some pretty nice beach sand scoops out of PVC pipe. If you searched for it on YT you'd probably see how he does it. Regardless, good luck with it. cch

 

[scoopjohnb]

I'll sniff about on YT.
Thx for the tip.

I've drilled a 3 mm hole pattern in the bottom half of the yellow end cap.
Should give me some sifting ability, and lessen the amount of sand needing transportation in the pouch.
When I hit a coin should sift enough for rapid recovery.

Anyway needs another test run!
Who knows maybe some more Mini Bling.

 

[goodmore]

More power to you. I live by my own two scoop rule. If the target falls out of my scoop two times I move on. Granted I'm using a GT and Excal, so I don't get the real micro stuff.

 

[scoopjohnb]

When working the Excal I use a scoop with an 8 mm pattern. One of those Stavr scoops. And like you said if it goes AWOL I can't be bothered as well.
No use chasing nibblets when in full gear.
My beaches have been sanded in lately, so I had a go at that small stuff in the dry sand.

A real eye opener these "cheap" prospecting units can even detect such a small trinket.
Also great fun for the kids, they get to detect in the living room with the pinpointer.

Why the wife looked awkward with me lumbering around with a flower tray of sand in the living room,..... I'll never know??
She still isn't talking!?

 

[tvr]

Why the wife looked awkward with me lumbering around with a flower tray of sand in the living room,..... I'll never know??
She still isn't talking!?

I think you know the answer to that!
Cheers,
tvr