trpnd35
Senior Member
Garrett ProPointer, hands down, theres nothing better
How does a Coin Probe work?
- Thread starter tnguyen8806
- Start date
tnguyen8806
Full Member
The Garrett Propointer is real good, I recently bought one.
Anyways, I had cut a brass rod to make a coin probe, but I didn't add a handle yet and last night I ordered 2 off of ebay. I can't wait to learn how to use it.
Anyways, I had cut a brass rod to make a coin probe, but I didn't add a handle yet and last night I ordered 2 off of ebay. I can't wait to learn how to use it.
Michaeltime
Elite Member
Probe for coins
If your good at pinpointing with your detector you can probe with a thin screwdriver to see if your right on target. Or if your close to the target like a inch or so a electronic probe will show you about where the coin or ring is. I figure if I don't hit it a lot of the time it is either a pull tab or some other open thing like a ring or nut.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunting
I slide a good solid screwdriver in slitting the grass for easy retrieval of coins only surface to 2 inches down. Sidewalk searching to curb I don't want to upset a property owner and have them pushing for laws against metal detectors in the neighborhood.
If your good at pinpointing with your detector you can probe with a thin screwdriver to see if your right on target. Or if your close to the target like a inch or so a electronic probe will show you about where the coin or ring is. I figure if I don't hit it a lot of the time it is either a pull tab or some other open thing like a ring or nut.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunting
I slide a good solid screwdriver in slitting the grass for easy retrieval of coins only surface to 2 inches down. Sidewalk searching to curb I don't want to upset a property owner and have them pushing for laws against metal detectors in the neighborhood.
Michaeltime
Elite Member
I hear it a lot that the Garrett Pinpointer is the best. I watched a video of a guy using a nickle on the side of it to tune it to find things deeper yet.
I haven't bought a pinpointer yet.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunter
I haven't bought a pinpointer yet.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunter
Michaeltime
Elite Member
Probing your target
How many have probed for a target thought to be a coin and didn't hit it , then think junk and leave it? I learned could be a ring. Usually a pull tab but some times a ring or nut or washer.
I think with all I read the discrimination is nice but if your going to find the good stuff you might just as well ignore what it is other than iron and dig it.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunter digging it all some of the time. I found a ring that way just last week in a park. It was a 50 usually a twist top but was a plated ring.
How many have probed for a target thought to be a coin and didn't hit it , then think junk and leave it? I learned could be a ring. Usually a pull tab but some times a ring or nut or washer.
I think with all I read the discrimination is nice but if your going to find the good stuff you might just as well ignore what it is other than iron and dig it.
M6 by White's Greenville Michigan Mike SWC hunter digging it all some of the time. I found a ring that way just last week in a park. It was a 50 usually a twist top but was a plated ring.
In the past few weeks I have been using a probe for shallow targets. I stole the idea of putting a brass rod on a golf ball from this site. Then I modified that by cutting a screwdriver and putting it on the opposite side of the probe. One tool, two uses. I pinpoint the target, probe for it, dig it with screwdriver. These targets are three inches or less, deeper than that I use my lesche.
SE-5
Full Member
Looks like a watering probe found at any garden shop, lowe's, home depot etc., real cheap item too. Guess I'll take one of mine apart and use it for this!
GoldenEagle
Senior Member
stewart73
Forum Supporter
Stick it in the ground then you blow on the top. If it hums there is a coin within 5 feet. 10 if it's raining.
I done tried this where I knowed some koins were and it dint work.
Bill_Ace_350
Elite Member
Thanks for the video link. Will have to try it myself.
tnguyen8806
Full Member
Thank for the video! I wished I would have seen this video earlier. I bought to probes from the auction and one was small for the poking and pin pointing and the larger one was to pry it up. I didn't know and bent my little one haha oops!
Nitelord
Forum Supporter
Looks like a watering probe found at any garden shop, lowe's, home depot etc., real cheap item too. Guess I'll take one of mine apart and use it for this!
Good luck. Most probes I've seen are made from a brass rod.
Perquimans
Forum Supporter
The ORIGINAL White's Garrett "Megaphone" Coin Probe.... It’s brass so it may bend - depending on what type of environment you are detecting. Once you get use to it--you can actually tell if you are hitting a coin. I use this (ebay around $12) and a digging tool. Hope to have a propointer soon..
hillbillydigger
Elite Member
I would love a video on the chopstick popping technique. I have a big package of disposable wooden chopsticks so seems like I should use those versus buying a brass probe.
Silversmith45
Elite Member
Do a search for 'Easy Coin Probe'. I show how to make one.
Gauntlet
Forum Supporter
I generally only use a probe to identify trash, like cans. I use a screwdriver with a 1" flat washer notched and welded to the tip of the screwdriver to pop coins up. It's also nice for digging deeper/narrower holes for slightly deeper ones. With the round edge (of the washer) I've never damaged a coin during recovery.
After locating a target, 1st thing I do is use my PP to determine a more accurate depth (if it won't register on the PP, it's a deeper target), and if it's closer to the surface, I know right where I need to be to get under the coin to bring it to the surface.
After locating a target, 1st thing I do is use my PP to determine a more accurate depth (if it won't register on the PP, it's a deeper target), and if it's closer to the surface, I know right where I need to be to get under the coin to bring it to the surface.
ToddB64
Elite Member
Silversmith45,
Neat idea !
What length should the 5/32" dia. brass rod extend after being screwed into the ball-shaped drawer pull ?
In other words, what length have you found to work best ?
Thanks !
Todd
Gauntlet
Forum Supporter
Get a fiberglass stemmed driveway reflector, you should be able to cut 2-3 pieces long enough for a probe, drill a slightly undersized hole in an old gold ball (usually find these when MDing anyways), and epoxy it in place. Grind/file a radius on the end of the probe, same process for brass. Either way, drill 1/2 way into the golf ball, which will put the end of the rod into the rubber center. Dip the golf ball in paint if you like.
ToddB64
Elite Member
Gauntlet,
Great ideas !
#1...Have you noticed any difference in sensitivity between fiberglass and brass rods ?
#2...How long is your probe shaft after insertion into the golf ball ?
#3...Nice job welding the steel washer ! Did you use Stick or MIG ?
Thanks
ToddB64
Great ideas !
#1...Have you noticed any difference in sensitivity between fiberglass and brass rods ?
#2...How long is your probe shaft after insertion into the golf ball ?
#3...Nice job welding the steel washer ! Did you use Stick or MIG ?
Thanks
ToddB64
Gauntlet
Forum Supporter
Gauntlet,
Great ideas !
#1...Have you noticed any difference in sensitivity between fiberglass and brass rods ?
#2...How long is your probe shaft after insertion into the golf ball ?
#3...Nice job welding the steel washer ! Did you use Stick or MIG ?
Thanks
ToddB64
Actually, since making them, I seldom use them. I find they're basically useless on a coin. About the only time I do is one is just to verify I've located a mashed can (which you can generally tell by lifting the coil, to tell you're over a much larger than coin-sized object). That said, depending on if I'm detecting a trash-laden site, I'll pass if I am. If on an older site, I'll dig it just to be sure I'm not passing on a larger relic (or something worthwhile).
I'd say the length is about 12", and I'd say the 'glass one os more sensitive.
MIG, you could use whatever you had, and grind the weld to make the profile more slim (which I'd done to this one after the pic). I use this as much if not more than my trowel.
