Question about scoops

[Pete in MI]

I believe most scoops have 5/8 inch holes for draining and this is ok from the standpoint dimes and larger objects don't fall through. Problem I encountered yesterday (first time out with my Fisher 1280x and my homemade PVC scoop) was an object kept falling through the holes.

The object (luckily I was in the shallows were I could just see it and reach down and pick it up) was a 10K gold ring - just a hair smaller than the holes.

I had a few other hits in deeper water and they too must have gone thru the holes and couldn't see or reach them (had waders on). I figured probably bobby pins or possibly a 'post type' ear ring. My wife said "What if it was a post ear ring with a diamond and you missed it?" Someone else I talked to said well "What about necklaces and chains going through the holes?"

So has anyone given any thought about what might be falling through the holes of your scoop and what to do.

I figured maybe using some of the flexible magnetic sign material (like the stuff they use to make business signs that stick to car and truck doors) and putting some inside the scoop to get the 'iron' and steel items such as nails, bobby pins and the post type ear rings. Still there seems to be a problem with silver and gold since no magnet will pick either up.

I live in Michigan and have inland lakes so not out on an ocean or even one of the Great Lakes but seems no matter where we are we would be affected by items lost when they fall through the holes.

I did score a bracelet but it was so crusty it couldn't fall through the holes of the scoop. Had it been 'limber' that might have been another story all together.

Your thoughts? Thanks from a newbie.

 

[Pete in MI]

Here's the ring that kept falling through the holes in the scoop

<p align=left><img src="http://coinshooter.owly.net/1280x%20Finds/10Kgold8.jpg"></p></left>

Sure was pretty coming out of the water but took a loupe to see the fine print that made me even happier.

<p align=left><img src="http://coinshooter.owly.net/1280x%20Finds/10Kgold5.jpg"></p></left>

As you can see this is smaller than a dime

<p align=left><img src="http://coinshooter.owly.net/1280x%20Finds/10Kgold7.jpg"></p></left>

 

[VaBeachRon]

n/t

 

[Dan MI]

Line the bottom and front half of the scoop with 1/4" mesh screen. Leave the back as is to allow easier filtering of the sand and mud. When you pick your scoop full of bottom you usually have it tipped down so all the small stuff will be in the screened area. I did this recently and so far I have found a 22 cal bullet, a tiny (about 6,32) screw nut, a 22 shell casing, and some other junk. Nothing good yet but at least I don't spend 20 minutes trying to recover something and finally giving up and wondering what great item I just passed up for the next hour.

 

[Dan MI]

n/t

 

[Pete in MI]

Will give that a try Dan - maybe add a magnet of some sort too :

Have someone who has a metal scoop I'll be getting as soon as I have the cash in hand. should make life much better. For now the homemade scoop is kinda neat - it floats

 

[Waterman]

<img src=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d901b3127cce9359bf8bd72100000016108AZs2TFy0bNF>

<img src=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d901b3127cce9359bf84561e00000016108AZs2TFy0bNF>

H.H.

 

[KENNE-BILL]

Waterman you have some nice looking scoops there, I would like to ask where you purchased them from please? Thanks.

 

[Waterman]

I seem to find more Scoops for sale by doing a general search on #-Bay using the words "metal Detector" and the scoop ads pop up as well. These are the 2 best scoops I have ever used!

<img src=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d901b3127cce9359bfafd70500000025108AZs2TFy0bNF>

<img src=http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d901b3127cce9359bfabd70100000016108AZs2TFy0bNF>

Both scoops were about $100.00 ea., and well worth the cost. The larger one is a 6" opening the other a 5". I use the shorter one for shallow and the long handled one which I added about 1 1/2' of length to with a shovel handle for the deep water hunts. H.H.