2nd time out. Did a little better

[PAdogman]

I did better today. Especially since getting the replacement pinpointer for the one that arrived DOA. It's nice to be able to doublecheck before I break ground. At least on the stuff within a few inches of the surface. And it really helped find the items in the dirt that I thought I had sifted through well enough with my fingers.

More brass shells, a piece of lead, a piece of steel wire or nail I was surprised I could find, I think part of a bullet, a foil top for some kind of bottle I think... and my big find. An actual buckle. All I know about it is it's not magnetic.

But first I hit a piece of land where a creek meanders around. I was hoping it would hold some goodies from the creek when the creek is high and runs over that ground, but all I found in the muck was a piece of aluminum flashing bent on an angle and part of a T post.

This brass shell was actually sitting like that after I pulled up the plug. I have no idea why I am finding various ammo cases a few inches below the surface.

I am learning that sometimes my machine gives off the occasional high range beep, but if I can't keep it going steady or it seems to move and be hard to locate, I am not digging. I haven't found anything yet in the holes of those random chirps that aren't steady.

 

[markinswpa]

I did better today. Especially since getting the replacement pinpointer for the one that arrived DOA. It's nice to be able to doublecheck before I break ground. At least on the stuff within a few inches of the surface. And it really helped find the items in the dirt that I thought I had sifted through well enough with my fingers.

More brass shells, a piece of lead, a piece of steel wire or nail I was surprised I could find, I think part of a bullet, a foil top for some kind of bottle I think... and my big find. An actual buckle. All I know about it is it's not magnetic.

But first I hit a piece of land where a creek meanders around. I was hoping it would hold some goodies from the creek when the creek is high and runs over that ground, but all I found in the muck was a piece of aluminum flashing bent on an angle and part of a T post.

View attachment 592570

This brass shell was actually sitting like that after I pulled up the plug. I have no idea why I am finding various ammo cases a few inches below the surface.
View attachment 592571

View attachment 592572

View attachment 592573

I am learning that sometimes my machine gives off the occasional high range beep, but if I can't keep it going steady or it seems to move and be hard to locate, I am not digging. I haven't found anything yet in the holes of those random chirps that aren't steady.

PAdogman. First welcome to the hobby and the forum from Pittsburgh. From your post I take it you are new. If you think you have it figured out disregard any advice I may pass on. You first want a repeatable signal. It will be a beep-beep in quick succession, thats a repeatable, not a beep-beeeep. Turn 90 degrees, swing again, try to get that same signal from that direction. If it is a two way repeatable good chance its a good target. A beep-beeeep could be an iffy signal, you can work on when you have more experience. The quicker the beep-beep the better. Means the signal is breaking tight and is most likely a smaller coin sized target. Softer sounding signal is good, means a deeper
target or a small shallow one. Dig those and learn. Your handheld pinpointer can help with those. Next, and this is IMPORTANT, a good target does not move, if you get a repeatable, you turn 90 and all of a sudden you have to move the coil, 3 inches left, 5 inches forward, whatever, to get that signal, its junk. Your coil is hitting on the edge of some junk, most likely iron. You want that same signal at 90 degrees. Remember a good target does not move. One more tip, the loud signals are shallow targets, smaller shallow targets will often give a double tap. The larger targets you can smoke out by raising your coil 8 to 10 inches off the ground while continuing your swing. If its still loud and sounds good it most likely a smashed can or some other large piece of non-ferrous trash. Hopefully some of this will help. Always happy to see a Pa. brother do well. Good luck. Mark

 

[PAdogman]

if you get a repeatable, you turn 90 and all of a sudden you have to move the coil, 3 inches left, 5 inches forward, whatever, to get that signal, its junk.

Thanks. Looks like me deciding not to dig was the right choice. Although I thought there was no target.
And thinking back on it, it was a single beep.

The larger targets you can smoke out by raising your coil 8 to 10 inches off the ground while continuing your swing.

Good tip. I hadn't seen this method before.
I'm two hours north of you.

 

[hoser]

That was excellent advice you gave Mark. Spot on. Another thing that will crop up is a very strong, what seems like a great signal that is repeatable, and you think it is very shallow. Keep swinging over the target and lift your coil. If you still get a signal a foot and a half above the ground, you probably have an old pop can or large aluminum junk. I have dug those just to see what they were and 99% of the time it is a can. Good luck.

 

[BuckHill]

You'll find good coins. I sometimes go 3or 4 hunts without a coin . Do research and hit the old spots

 

[PAdogman]

I have dug those just to see what they were and 99% of the time it is a can. Good luck.

That's where I'm at. I love locating stuff right now. Good practice.

All the videos I've watched on metal detecting and it seems they are either reviewing the detector or must assume you already know how to read signals, so they are either digging stuff or it's already dug and they are showing it to us. I haven't seen one video on interpreting the signals your detector is giving off, or raising it a foot off the ground to further your guess as to what is beneath the ground.

Good info guys.

 

[hoser]

I haven't seen one video on interpreting the signals your detector is giving off, or raising it a foot off the ground to further your guess as to what is beneath the ground.

That's because it is too subjective. Ground conditions in your area, or state for that matter. No two people interpret the same. In this case it's not written in concrete. It all comes from practice and learning your machine and figuring out what it is telling you. You Tube videos can come close at times, I know I watch them a lot. But I also take them with a grain of salt too. Watch them as an alternative for information, something that maybe you could try and see if it works for you. But don't fool yourself into thinking they are the holy grail to detecting success.

 

[PAdogman]

Interesting.
So if I get a different machine I have to learn its signals all over?

 

[SirDigsALOT!]

Watch Treasure Outdoors.

He's in Florida. He does live streams alot and can watch the way he swings, what the targets are, and how he digs them. It's good info.

 

[hoser]

So if I get a different machine I have to learn its signals all over

Unfortunately, yes. When I went from the DFX to the E-Trac I was lost at first. But because I was used to hearing certain signal sounds. there was a little similarity, and it took me less time to get used to the new detector.

 

[PAdogman]

Watch Treasure Outdoors.

He's in Florida. He does live streams alot and can watch the way he swings, what the targets are, and how he digs them. It's good info.

He has a great channel IMO. He is one of two I am subscribed to. Like I said in another thread, I like watching the whole process.
I've only seen about six of his videos, which of course is a lot of hours, LOL. I don't recall him using the lifting up a foot technique or explaining what kind of chirps you should be listening for. I might have missed those videos.
But of course I've seen his swinging and digging technique. Not that his digging technique applies to my rocky soil.

 

[PAdogman]

Unfortunately, yes. When I went from the DFX to the E-Trac I was lost at first. But because I was used to hearing certain signal sounds. there was a little similarity, and it took me less time to get used to the new detector.

Good info. Thanks.

 

[Kansashunter]

getting those signals out of the way to get to the good stuff. Keep hunting!!

 

[PAdogman]

I'm not sure there is any good stuff where I'm hunting, lol.
But it's good practice anyway.

Next stop "out back" is a commercial gas well. Maybe somebody dropped something when they put it in.

 

[JimW]

I did better today. Especially since getting the replacement pinpointer for the one that arrived DOA. It's nice to be able to doublecheck before I break ground. At least on the stuff within a few inches of the surface. And it really helped find the items in the dirt that I thought I had sifted through well enough with my fingers.

More brass shells, a piece of lead, a piece of steel wire or nail I was surprised I could find, I think part of a bullet, a foil top for some kind of bottle I think... and my big find. An actual buckle. All I know about it is it's not magnetic.

But first I hit a piece of land where a creek meanders around. I was hoping it would hold some goodies from the creek when the creek is high and runs over that ground, but all I found in the muck was a piece of aluminum flashing bent on an angle and part of a T post.

View attachment 592570

This brass shell was actually sitting like that after I pulled up the plug. I have no idea why I am finding various ammo cases a few inches below the surface.
View attachment 592571

View attachment 592572

View attachment 592573

I am learning that sometimes my machine gives off the occasional high range beep, but if I can't keep it going steady or it seems to move and be hard to locate, I am not digging. I haven't found anything yet in the holes of those random chirps that aren't steady.

Greetings! I am very impressed with your buckle. How old do you think it is? Is I’d steel or brass? What width of leather would that take? I am trying to restore a WWI Wollensak Optical produced trench periscope. The case that holds it is missing one buckle. I can send you a picture of the one I have, if the sight will let me that is. Mine is for a 7/8” strap. If yours is the same size, would you consider selling it? I can get you the length of mine as well. It’s right at 1 15/16” long. Just shy of 2”. Thank you! Jim

 

[PAdogman]

Pretty similar @JimW
The strap opening is right at 1". And the overall length is 1-1/2".
And I have no idea what metal it is. It might be zinc for all I know. It is silver colored and non-magnetic. It did not tarnish when I put vinegar on it.

 

[JimW]

Hey thanks much! I need to get a metal detector. That would be fun to do.