Digger-Talk

[IndianaSmith]

I went through a couple of "cheap" ($2) garden trowels, then saw a post about the True-Temper tool from Lowes (which I love), but made one I use more than anything else.

I notched & welded a (Grade 8) flatwasher to the end of an 8" flat screwdriver. I can push it into the sod, and if my pinpointing was on-target, I can pop a coin to the surface in 1 shot, many times without "digging a hole". I know others can do this with a regular screwdriver, but I can't. I need that extra surface, plus there's no corners or edge to scratch anything.

If I had to pitch all my diggers & keep one, it'd be this one.

Smitty

[MinelabMan]

Nice tool, I think probing a coin out is an art, never really gave it a try, but I'm sure once it's mastered, alot of digging can be saved.

[Dixieldy]

That's a pretty cool tool!

[EBCIII]

That is a cool tool! My pinpointing is not that good. Sometimes I really hit it others not? I guess I just gotta hunt more, Beale.

[Captain]

I dont see how that tool you made can be better than the True temper bulb digger from lowes, which is alsome! I stick it in pull out a small plug and the coin is with in the small content of the plug, normally.
I wouldnt be able to get that tool you made in the ground, looks like you have to come into contact with the object... isnt that worrisome... or are you taking the notion that clad is clad? IS this for beaches?

How about a long pair of hemostats and just twiser it out?

[EPC Guy]

I like the concept - but how well does this work in really hard ground?

[echostar61]

This tool works for him,you cant even see where he has been. Smitty made me one too and I really need to learn to use it. You can tell where I have dug. Although I always fill in my holes,I dont think I'll be invited to hunt too many private lawns .

Terri

[IndianaSmith]

lol, Terri....you're just stubborn

Captain- Don't get me wrong, the TT digger is a tool I really like, and do use it, depending on the site & ground. Once I pinpoint, I pull-back from where I'd determined the item to be, stick the tool in the dirt & "pry" back on it. You'd be suprised how many times I've brought the coin to the surface once I've "levered" the screwdriver all the way over so the tip is near the surface.

I'd also read (true or not?) that "tearing" the roots of sod is better than cutting them clean, so I don't remove a "plug" persay, I basically "tear" a slit in the sod. Anything that someone recovers stands the chance of being struck by the recovery tool, regardless of its style, unless one were to dig an extremely large hole around the item. If I sink this tool deeper than the item, there should be soil between the item & the washer/tip. I've recovered a few rings with this (tool) and can't see where I'd hurt them, and some of the rings were "thin" material.

My way of thinking is, the less soil removed, the better the spot will look once recovery is complete. Being a "rookie" my way of thinking may be totally off-base, but it seems to work for me. A pair of hemostats I'd think would ruin a possibly nice silver coin which could otherwise be preserved in good condition.

EPC- lol, I hate to answer a question with a question, but how well does anything else work in hard-packed dry soil? Honestly, I find this easier to use than my TT digger in areas that were once gravel but now covered with sod. I hunted an old fairgrounds where this was the case, and I can kind if "twist" the washer/tip into it as I go. It's still slow going, but using the TT digger is nearly impossible. If there's less surface area to something, I'd have to think that reduces any "drag" and therefore increases it's ability to penetrate an object, this case being soil.

lol, I hope this all make sense.......

Thanks
Smitty

[Captain]

Make no difference if you cut, pull, yank southern grasses and your not hurting the grass. Now the recover times are faster if you have a plug, just because the line covers up faster. Some Grass roots go a foot in the ground. Its the above ground grasses that's a lil messy and hard to plug cleanly. Centipede and St. Augustine types where the runners are on top. Zoysia and Bermuda are horribly fast growers in the root system. I think the biggest thing maybe is the dirt spot that might get left behind. Heck if need be, I can just brush that into the grass.
I stick in the scoop into the ground just behind the coin, pending the depth I push the scope down to that depth, then lean down on the handle, I get a snow cone shaped plug. It rolls back in to the hole. One step to pack down and all you see is a lil brown ring. Lets say you hunting on a high grade lawn, cut a whole top, pull the plug, if the plug dies no biggy, but the time is shows, the roots will have replaced what has died before it browns. Take diviot made from a golfer, that diviot doesnt grow but allow the roots to come up and grow thru the diviot. More than anything, it the Eye Candy Effect, what does it look like afterwards. Water in the lose dirt, they will never be the wiser.
Disclaimer ** During the growing season

yes your right, it would scratch up a coin, useing hemostats, but wouldnt that tool you made?? I am all for easier ways...I guess i need to see ya in action...lol
Again my only thinking is what kind of grass are you up against. some Zoysia and Bermuda can be a pain, just because it so0o0o thick.

with so lil mass to the tool, one would think your using it too enter the soil easier. But I belive the goal is to exit with the target with little to no impact..If your hunting lawn that require this much attention, Most likly its been landscaped and topdressed and sodded. which is about 6 in from the old soil.

Respectfully:
I am still wondering how to use it, isnt it going to be metal on the required Target with force to bring it on top? If so, you alot better than I. sheww

[gordiesgirl]

I like it, very cool hope it works for you.