Ice pick as a coin probe?

[SearchingOkie]

Hmmm, could a cheap ice pick from Lowes be used to, "pop coins"? I be broke.

[Rudy]

I use one as a probe and a large heavy duty Sears screwdriver to pop coins.

[foreverRich]

Harbour Freight makes a set of "pry bars" that work great and are cheap. They come in three sizes so you have a choice of which to use. If you get them on sale they are very cheap.

[SearchingOkie]

Super! I'd hate to fall on an ice pick LOL.. ouch..

[Dusty Eagle]

ice pick? maybe.. but screwdriver, even a spoon, or a small hand shovel works better in my book, and if you have to buy something from Lowe's, they do have hand shovel's in the garden dept for less than $10. A spare dish towel.. A small carry on 'fanny pack' works well for collecting finds and supplies. My bag I carry has a belt/shoulder strap, and I bought it at Walmart of less than $10.

http://metaldetectingforum.com/album.php?albumid=26

Dusty Eagle

[Flapjack]

Some good ideas! Thanks :spin:

[Lowjiber]

I just use a heavy duty screwdriver...works great. Haven't scratched one yet.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Dusty Eagle

ice pick? maybe.. but screwdriver, even a spoon, or a small hand shovel works better in my book, and if you have to buy something from Lowe's, they do have hand shovel's in the garden dept for less than $10. A spare dish towel.. A small carry on 'fanny pack' works well for collecting finds and supplies. My bag I carry has a belt/shoulder strap, and I bought it at Walmart of less than $10.

http://metaldetectingforum.com/album.php?albumid=26

Dusty Eagle

The ice pick is used as a probe (make sure it is a cheap ice pick and not a hardened steel awl. The ice pick quickly blunts into a round tip so it won't damage the coin when probing for it). The other tools you mentioned are for popping.

[PuddleJumper]

I went to northern tool and bought a cheap file with a plastic handle, some epoxy, and a couple feet of 1/4" brass rod. Pulled the handle off the file, drilled the handle out a little bigger than 1/4", put some epoxy in the hole, stuck the brass rod in and let dry, then cut the rod down to about 6-7".
Not the cheapest way but theres plenty of brass rod left to make more as backups.

[tony48]

I do not understand why people use probes. Can't you just cut a very neat plug? I think with probes there is a much higher chance of scratching the coins which is something I definetly don't want to do!

[PuddleJumper]

Depending on the time of the year in these parts a plug can end up being just a dead lump of grass in a short period of time. With some practice you can pop a shallow coin pretty easy without stabbing it. And brass is fairly soft so it will do less damage than steel if you do hit the coin.

[SearchingOkie]

Well, I'm still learning.. I end up making a huge hole and have a big pile of dirt to dig thru.. hoping that will help.

[wishooter]

I use one of those smaller pry bars.
But I got some brass Rod from Ace and cut at 6".
Drilled a smaller diameter hole in the end of the handle.
Hammered the rod in and filed a blunt tip.
Now I got a Coin Probe-n-Popper Tool, a two in one.

Take two Broom Handle Wall Clasps, Plastic Coated is best.
Screw them together, stick one end on your detectors tubing.
The other end holds your Coin Probe-n-Popper Tool.
Thats another Badger digging gear trick.

[tony48]

Oh, I guess a probe would be good for clad that is shallow. I was thinking more along the lines of deeper, old, silver coins.

[BrianVickers83]

yeh, its not like scracthing clad matters

[Carol K]

I've heard of people using ice picks and long screwdrivers. But they coated the end with some kind of rubber or plastic or something. I don't know what the stuff is called, but there are even some plastics that will soften enough over a flame, to let you wrap it, or dip it on the end.

I really don't think ice picks are strong enough to pop coins. We tried it and it bent.

[AHSARoger]

This forum is fantastic ... the more I read the more ideas I get for things I need. Just for another idea ... how about using the non-stick variety of a spatula or mixing spoon with the head cut off ... leaves you with a plastic-like material that is less likely to scratch your finds and has a nice handle a hole tying on a belt loop.

[grinsebring]

If you can find a fairly stout one free, cut it to length, (6 to 8 in.) make a suitable handle. (hard wood or golf ball). Drill the right sized hole, and secure it by pressing it in or gorilla glueing it. The metal is soft enough to locate a coin without scratching it. Just remember they can bend if you use it for a lever....Gil

[sllingshot47]

Search the pawn shops. I found a magnificent screwdriver in their dump bin, but the tip was broken and the dealer gave it to me.

[tkcenterline]

I use an old Knife Steel (Tool for sharping Knives). It has a blunt end and works great