Vaquaro coil cover removal

[tootsie11]

Any trick to removing coil cover on my Vaquaro? Don't wanna crack it!

 

[POLEWAGGER]

This is my method. Some say I'm too rough, others say a knife will damage the coil. Go ahead and use popsicle sticks then. I haven't damaged my coil or cover yet.
If it's wet, it will be more difficult, so let it dry first.
I'm using a VERY dull knife, and only tapping lightly to help remove loose sand that will only make it stick more.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmSf6EYzswA

 

[tootsie11]

Thank you! I've had this detector for about 6 months and really only started to use it about the last 3. Live in MA. and doing pretty well with it!
Again, Thanks for the response and good hunting!
Don

 

[pkrska]

What if you used sand paper to make it a looser fit onto the coil and then used Velcro to keep it on?

That way it will stay on and will be easier to take off.

 

[tootsie11]

I was thinking about that! At any rate got it off, cleaned and ready to go. Thank you for reply!

 

[tootsie11]

Thanks...got it done! Very helpful Take Care

 

[Monte]

Coil covers can be quite difficult to remove. Sometimes, depending up the cool size, coil cover thickness, or the odd shape of the coil cover and coil, the 'fit' can be a struggle and require time and effort to remove w/o causing damage to the coil or the coil cover. Now that you have it removed, think about WHY you had it on in the first place and consider the following cut-and-paste statements from the Tesoro's Vaquero Owners Manual:

"The pole length should be adjusted so that the detector does not become uncomfortable or tiring after long periods of use. The detector grip should rest in your hand with your arm relaxed, your elbow straight but not locked, with the pole extending out in front of you at the approximate angle shown in the photo.

You should be able to swing the detector back and forth in front of you

 

[pkrska]

"Okay, this is more clear telling the user to keep the coil parallel (not touching) with the ground, and to NOT touch the ground but have the search coil about 1" above (off of) the ground. If so, then why use a coil cover?"

This is OK for this particular detector since it does do 14" easily. But let's say your using a Compadre, it gets 6" or less depending on the type of metal. Holding it 1" above the ground will make this number ever less. Less finds due to that 1" less of the ground your searching.

What about getting a single sheet of material that can be stuck onto the bottom of the coil? Like a sticker. When it starts to wear out, you un-peel it and replace it with another sheet.

A lot simpler to remove a sticker.

 

[hardrockminer]

Coil covers can be quite difficult to remove. Sometimes, depending up the cool size, coil cover thickness, or the odd shape of the coil cover and coil, the 'fit' can be a struggle and require time and effort to remove w/o causing damage to the coil or the coil cover. Now that you have it removed, think about WHY you had it on in the first place and consider the following cut-and-paste statements from the Tesoro's Vaquero Owners Manual:

"The pole length should be adjusted so that the detector does not become uncomfortable or tiring after long periods of use. The detector grip should rest in your hand with your arm relaxed, your elbow straight but not locked, with the pole extending out in front of you at the approximate angle shown in the photo.

You should be able to swing the detector back and forth in front of you

 

[Monte]

"Okay, this is more clear telling the user to keep the coil parallel (not touching) with the ground, and to NOT touch the ground but have the search coil about 1" above (off of) the ground. If so, then why use a coil cover?"

This is just a quote out of the Tesoro manual for the Vaquero, but is basically a cut-and-paste they use for most of their models. The competitors also usually suggest searching with a coil height above or off the ground at 1", and some have suggested more than that, even to 2". There are several reason why you keep the search coil off of the ground surface, such as:

* With our modern-day models that operate at much lower frequencies than the early-day TR's, and with the increased power and incorporating ground compensating technology, there can actually be a LOSS OF DEPTH, if the search coil is positioned too close to the ground mineral. The larger the search coil, thus larger the electromagnetic field, the more problems we can have. This is especially noted with a model that relies on a Threshold-based All Metal mode and you can hear the condition ... technically known as "fold-over" ... when attempting to make a Ground Balance adjustment.

Most of today's metal detectors will not allow any adjustment control for this occurrence because it requires a Sensitivity or Gain control over the All Metal transmit level. With most of today's detectors, the Sensitivity control is mainly tied in with the Discriminate mode's receive signal, not the induced or transmitted signal. To help eliminate some of the negative effects on the EMF it is best to keep the search coil held off of the ground, and a 'safe' rule of thumb is to consider 1"-1

 

[Monte]

I find your answer interesting.

I am sure it is 'interesting' to many readers, but in reality it is plain and simple facts. Even most manufacturers indicate a need to be close, but within reason and not to scrub the coil.

When prospecting you were dragging your coil on the ground to get the most depth, abrading the bottom of the coil, even clipping rocks. Gold nuggets can be small & offer little signal unless scrapping the coil.

I have nugget hunted a fair amount in my detecting career, and with some success. Still, I preferred to work the coil close to the ground,

 

[TC-NM]

Hey tootsie11,

When I come back from detecting, I clean and wipe everything down so nothing looks trashed. The coil cover typ. fits snug and in some cases to tight to get off. Some detectorists complain of using their finger nails to get it off or use butter knives to pry. Others snap on the cover and apply silicone to keep everything sealed. Dirt particles get in between the coil and cover. Dirt and dust contain particles of black sand especially where I leave in the SW. I personally think that if you didn't wash off the coil the particles of dirt or sand will affect your next hunt in enabling GB.

Here is a trick that I do for troublesome covers that fit too tight:
1) Use 400 grit emery paper (black sht.) and carefully sand the inside lip of the coil cover removing a little at a time.
2) Only take off enough so that the cover fits snug but won't fall off.
3) Don't sand any of your coils, they're expensive!

When I'm done detecting, I proceed to clean off my equipment by:
a) Disconnecting coil wire at the control box.
b) Remove the lower shaft from the upper shaft.
c) Place the coil on the floor with the lower shaft attached and vertical.
d) Grip the coil edge with the inside part of your feet - shoes on.
e) Grasp the lower shaft and pull up while griping and Voila! it comes off.

This works for me and I'm please with the results. Hope that you come to some conclusion and if all, the results please even you.

Good Luck,

TC-NM

 

[tabman]

Yep, you should keep the coil as close to the ground as possible and not drag it on abrasive materials or bump it into rocks. People who have common sense know that's not possible to do 100% of the time and that a coil cover is cheap insurance.

tabman

 

[allcav]

I should put my $.02 on this.
The prospector is right. I too drag my coil on the ground when nugget hunting. I have a scuff. I know our policy and neglect and abuse is not covored by our warranty. Therefore, USE A SCUFF! If you don't, that could be considered neglect or abuse. Protect your machine!

 

[POLEWAGGER]

I should put my $.02 on this.
The prospector is right. I too drag my coil on the ground when nugget hunting. I have a scuff. I know our policy and neglect and abuse is not covored by our warranty. Therefore, USE A SCUFF! If you don't, that could be considered neglect or abuse. Protect your machine!

I value Monte's input highly, but it looks like he got shot down big time on this one.
I'm with you allcav. I look at the bottom of my cover and am glad it's only the cover getting the scrapes and dings.
What unit are you using for nugget hunting?

 

[allcav]

The Lobo ST.

 

[WV62]

My hunting style more fits into what Monte says, I just removed all my coil covers. I never liked coil covers but back in the TR days we did scrub the coil on the ground and I think the covers were a little more needed. So for me Monte was right on.

My cover removal process, first this works better if the coil is mounted on the detector. I just used a small piece of round wooden rod, I put the end of the round on the edge of the cover and then took a small hammer and tapped all around the edge. The covers (8 of them) came off pretty easy with no damage.

Lot of good information, thanks Monte.

Ron in WV

 

[tvr]

For those conditions when you are dragging a coil, if you are always using the same coil in those conditions, may want to consider what some of the water hunters do; a thin coating of marine epoxy on the bottom of the coil. May not be the prettiest, but does not affect function and does protect.

In the water, the coil gets scrubbed when the bottom can't be seen and when the water is rough and it is a fight to stay on your feet.

I've been hunting without a coil cover for a couple years now, over dirt and in the water, and scuffing has not been an issue. Even on the water units, I don't think I'll scuff through a coil's potting to the windings any time soon.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[:Left4Dead]

I cracked my Cibola cover trying to get it off. But found a great method to get it off, I just work it off with a plastic knife. Very quick.

Mike