The Learning Curve

[Coop0901]

Hi Everyone,

I’d love some recommendations from some of you more experienced metal detector users. I’m just passing the one year mark of the hobby. A few days ago I located a local home on a 1875 residential map thats in a great area because it’s bordering a public field in its backyard. So this gives it a sweet combination of public and private space. I bumped into the owners while I was hunting on the public land and they gave me permission to detect onto their property as well. They said the home is 1860’s.

I was pretty happy, but for two trips and a few hours time on their property I’ve only pulled one good wheat cent. Now I’m being pretty picky choosy about what I dig because I don’t want to dig up the whole place like crazy and the signals are popping all over so I know there’s lots of metal around. But how would you guys proceed? And when I start getting into the trash but yet there’s still that good target sound as well when I pass over it one direction, but not several directions, would you start digging through everything?

Thanks for your input!

Blake

 

[MasonDixonMding]

As long as the weather is good (Rain and not hot) go for it. Your not going to find anything if you don’t dig anything.
Good luck

 

[Coop0901]

As long as the weather is good (Rain and not hot) go for it. Your not going to find anything if you don’t dig anything.
Good luck

Sounds good, time to start digging!

 

[markinmichigan]

I dig if the signal is strong and steady, you never know what is hiding under the roots....

Mark in Michigan

 

[IDXMonster]

IF you are NEWER and ONLY looking for coins, there are 3 rules to live and die by…
1) Dig only if the target responds from any 2 axis that are at least 45 degrees apart
2) Look at your depth meter. For example, if it says 5”, then lift your coil as you continue sweeping. If the signal goes away a couple inches off the ground and number 1 has been met, dig. This is the “coil lift test”. Your coil can only see a coin sized target a certain distance from the coil, normally 8-10” MAXIMUM. If you still get a signal a foot off the ground….NOT a coin. EVER.
3) USE DISCRIMINATION OR NOTCH. If you are only looking for highly conductive coins there is NO reason to have it “open” any more than that range.
For more advanced users there are other ways to hunt, but it sounds like you need some methods to advance your odds right now.

 

[Diga]

What IDX said!

 

[Coop0901]

IF you are NEWER and ONLY looking for coins, there are 3 rules to live and die by…
1) Dig only if the target responds from any 2 axis that are at least 45 degrees apart
2) Look at your depth meter. For example, if it says 5”, then lift your coil as you continue sweeping. If the signal goes away a couple inches off the ground and number 1 has been met, dig. This is the “coil lift test”. Your coil can only see a coin sized target a certain distance from the coil, normally 8-10” MAXIMUM. If you still get a signal a foot off the ground….NOT a coin. EVER.
3) USE DISCRIMINATION OR NOTCH. If you are only looking for highly conductive coins there is NO reason to have it “open” any more than that range.
For more advanced users there are other ways to hunt, but it sounds like you need some methods to advance your odds right now.

Thank you! This is exactly what I’m trying to figure out. I was doing a three axis test and I couldn’t figure out if it was helping or hindering my hunt. I feel like it probably saved me some time and trouble after reading your comment.

-Blake

 

[TexHunter]

The only difference from the above is that I check my targets 90° apart instead of 45...

 

[Coop0901]

The only difference from the above is that I check my targets 90° apart instead of 45...

So to help me make sure I’m understanding correctly, if you have a terrific signal and then you shift 90*, and the it drops off a bit then that’s probably not a good target(?) Because that’s a great many of my targets, they sound great from one angle and then they drop off a few numbers on another angle - those I’m not digging. And because of that I haven’t dug very much trash lately. But I’m also not finding coins lately … probably coincidence right?

-Blake

 

[atomicbrh]

Hi Everyone,

I’d love some recommendations from some of you more experienced metal detector users. I’m just passing the one year mark of the hobby. A few days ago I located a local home on a 1875 residential map thats in a great area because it’s bordering a public field in its backyard. So this gives it a sweet combination of public and private space. I bumped into the owners while I was hunting on the public land and they gave me permission to detect onto their property as well. They said the home is 1860’s.

I was pretty happy, but for two trips and a few hours time on their property I’ve only pulled one good wheat cent. Now I’m being pretty picky choosy about what I dig because I don’t want to dig up the whole place like crazy and the signals are popping all over so I know there’s lots of metal around. But how would you guys proceed? And when I start getting into the trash but yet there’s still that good target sound as well when I pass over it one direction, but not several directions, would you start digging through everything?

Thanks for your input!

Blake

1860's with unlimited time frame to detect. I am covering the area looking for the high conductors taking the silver coins out first. The theory is to get the important targets out first in case you lose permission for some reason. Then, completely going over the area again set on all metal looking for artifacts. I take a shop rag to place the dirt and plug on.

 

[Coop0901]

1860's with unlimited time frame to detect. I am covering the area looking for the high conductors taking the silver coins out first. The theory is to get the important targets out first in case you lose permission for some reason. Then, completely going over the area again set on all metal looking for artifacts. I take a shop rag to place the dirt and plug on.

I really like that rag idea nice! That should help keep things looking neat and tidy. Thanks!