Silver uMax hitting on old square nails

[ukeman]

I recently sold my Toltec II, mainly because of weight and not liking hip mounting and all those cords, and bought a Silver uMax. I love this lightweight little machine. I live in a 100+ year old home with lots of older homes around that I've hunted with bevy of detectors over the years starting with an old Garrett Groundhog, a Compass (a great machine that was stolen from my car ) , a couple of Garretts, a Toltec II and maybe one I've forgotten about. But, I'm finding new "old stuff" in these hunted locations with my new Silver! There is a LOT of trash in my yard. A previous house on the same location burned in 1899 and who know what was there from 1850 when the town became the county seat and 1899, so again, LOTS of trash including old square nails.

All this is leading up to this, what can I do, or what am i doing wrong, that my Silver wants to (as did my Toltec) hit on old square nails? Even with DISC up in tab range. But after you dig it up, it no longer gives that positive hit, but a broken chirp.

I've read a lot in the forum about learning the different sounds of these detectors. Maybe I just need more time in the field with it?

Advice appreciated!!

Steve in NC

 

[grouser]

try "the shake " over it and it that dos'nt tell ya then see if ya can tell a difference in the tone by turning 90 degrees,,,, a nail will give one sound across it's lenght and another thru the narrow side. square nails are hard for ANY MD because of the square shape gives signals like the edge of coins.... pluss they have been in the ground so long they have a GREAT halo effect

 

[ukeman]

Thanks - seems like some days are better than others for rejection of those pesky things. Appreciate your answer!

 

[RJH02]

Try turning down the sensitivety some if you know the nails are there , that helps for me.

 

[BarberBill]

If you were hunting a new, unknown site, I'd say great. Square nails help to date a location, but once that's done I understand your problem. You may have to be patient and clean out a small area at a time, then go for the good targets.
BB

 

[JHM]

Square nails can be a good thing. It's a sign your in a good spot. They can also be a pain. The 5.75 coil is a must in this situation and well worth the investment. There's no way to get around digging some of them but they will almost always give a 1 way signal. Good signal when swept long ways and crappy signal when swept cross ways. Bad thing about it is a coin laying next to a nail can do the same thing.

 

[Hombre]

Steve,
Your old Toltec ll has a true threshold based all-metal mode, with two speeds, normal and autotune. The normal (no motion) all-metal mode will let you hover the coil over a target in the ground and it will hold the tone indefinately or you can move the coil off to the the side of the target, toggle the retune switch, then move coil towards the detected target and this will shrink the tone of the target. This feature is not at all like the all-metal mode of.the Silver

 

[ukeman]

Thanks! I never really learned all I should about the Toltec II. I've got a bum shoulder, bad elbow and arthritis in my hand, so anything with weight had to go. I did look into the Bandido II before I bought the Silver uMax. i've had more complicated machines in the past (still have a fisher 1236X) and just wanted something light (with emphasis on light), simple, and about the price of what I got for the Toltec II.

I APPRECIATE your trying to help, believe me. I wish I could justify a Vaquero, or something even better, but just can't at this time. Any suggestions on a good LIGHT step-up, or older model I might enjoy appreciated.

 

[Hombre]

n/t