Two questions for the veterans

[metalfun]

I'm starting off my third year hunting with Excalibur 800 with an 8 in. coil. I only do shallow lake hunting & had been using a hand scoop. I purchased a long handle stainless steel scoop to start using this year, but I'm having a lot of trouble digging the target. Only a few times was I able to get it on the first or second try. I hate digging 7 or 8 holes for a nickel or a dime. Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Love my Excal!


Second question: I have found a few class rings that I have not been able to find the owners to. Would I be better off selling them on ebay or selling them for scrap? They don't have any markings as far as 10k, 14k, etc. Someone told me that they thought all class rings had gold in them. Is this true? Thanks for your help! HH!! ~Anthony

 

[bcoop]

All class rings Do Not have Gold in them. If they are not marked they most likely are Siladium, which is basically a jewelers stainless steel.

 

[McDyver]

Targeting.

This works good for me, criss-cross the target, leave the coil centered on the target, place the scoop two inches behind the coil, only take a two inch deep layer off the bottom on the first scoop, if it's right on top it should be in the scoop, if you take an overfull scoop it may roll off the top and take some chasing to finally catch it. Good luck.

 

[scubadetector]

Exactly right, All class rings are not gold, HOWEVER some of the very old ones not marked are. I have them from 1901, 1917, 1922 and 1926. I also have a silver one.

All the ones I have that are newer and not marked are Stainless steel junk, 1986, 1987 and 1989. And its possible to find the owners if you keep trying. BUT one of the owners accused me of stealing his tackle box out of his truck where the ring was and I have NOOOO intention of sending it to the jerk.


I don't use a scoop I dive.

 

[JOE in MD]

This is how I scoop targets. I make the cross motion and center the target under the coil. Not being able to see in 4 to 5 foot of water. I take my toe and place it in the center of the coil and slowly slide the coil away. I thank take my scoop slide it down the inside of my leg until I feel the front end of the scoop about in the middle of my in step.(foot). I then scoop forward.

 

[rc2125]

I'm no veteran, (only been out twice in the same day!) but kinda found what Seemed to work fairly well, in waist+deep water that instantly murked up with coil swings. Got precise pinpoint then (this all kinda happens at same time)..... placed right toes up to coil edge (pointing to target), slide scoop tip down over right foot so the tip goes between toes and coil, let detector float in place(didn't have waves to deal with), get good angle on scoop,push scoop with left foot, leave left foot in place to keep track of dig, check for target in scoop after quickly sifting. Used left toes as a guide if needed to scoop again, kinda depended if holes were filling in or not.
After getting home for lunch, I added a eyehook to the end of the handle with some bungee rope for a tether. Oriented the eye hook so it ran parallel with the scoop, painted a black line on the handle to quickly know where the scoop is pointing and painted the top portion of the scoop white (all which helped Alot in the mucked up water!). I was using a borrowed water machine, but might think about painting the top of the coil white also (if minelab can ever get me a machine). Got Alot more first-dig-recoveries after painting the scoop! I have Zero Luck, and somehow managed to dig a few good finds. Do wish I would have got the larger sized scoop now.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k63/rc2125/moto_1201.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k63/rc2125/moto_1208.jpg

(((Rings from first time out with scoop/borrowed CZ21)))

 

[metalfun]

Thanks guys for all your help. I'll try these digging tips and get better at it hopefully.If anyone else has a tip please post it.Thanks again
Anthony