Screwdrivers

[King Bee]

When I'm on the dirt, which isn't too often, I usually use the flap method on my finds and a V4 pinpointer for the tricky or camo'ed ones. So far this hasn't been much of a problem, but there are some nicer spots I've been wanting to hunt, but I'm afraid of unintentionaly scarring the lawn. So, lately I've been practicing with a long screwdriver and it's been pretty tricky. I'm a pretty decent pinpointer with the Tracker IV and I know I'm over the target. Problem is, I'm having a hard time using the screwdriver to retrieve it. With all the roots and what nots I feel like I'm tearing up the area. Instead of a flap I end up with quarter sized hole in the ground.

I'd like to hear from some folks who have a good amount of experience using screwdrivers to pop coins and rings from the ground. What's the technique? Thanks!

[portraitartist]

Afternoon -

I have used a screwdriver with good results.. there are a couple of different methods you can use to recover coins with just a screwdriver - both of them slightly different.

The first one involves locating the coin by probing with the screwdriver; you would then make a kindof "slot" by moving the screwdriver back and forth in the soil (it sounds worse than it actually is); then you can either use a finger or the screwdriver itself to reach down in and pull out the coin... this one works best with a Phillips head type - the "x"...

The method I use is slightly different, and utilizes a flathead screwdriver... I also first locate the item, but instead of making a slit in the dirt, I will back the head of the screwdriver off the item until it is just behind it; I will then just basically pry the coin up out of the ground... it really isn't messy at all, and any dirt that does come out I just put right back.

Anyway, these work for me, I hope this helps you some...

[drver]

Now there is most likely a simple answer to this but... as a beach hunter I've never been able to understand the screw driver method either. What keeps the screw driver from mucking up the target?

[Yardog]

I always used a screw driver. Usually only in Parks when lookin for clad. In very nice lawns I used a small one to probe, usually a brass one, then just cut a slit and if it isn't too deep, I try to use my fingers. Deeper finds I would cut a flap, then dig around til I found it. When I knew old coins would be there, I still used a Brass screw driver. You can find them around, they won't scratch like a steel driver

[ERnurse]

I use one for shallow clad. You can just pop it right out of the ground.

[Lt1stone]

When I first saw the post I was thinking of the other kind of screwdriver
I made a probe that was pretty darn stout out of 1/4 brass rod like the kind you braze with. about 14" long with a rounded blunt tip and a wood handle epoxied to it. Less chance of scratching your find would be to melt brass on the end of a screw driver and make the end of it round. another option would be to find an old pushrod frome a old engine provided its long enough. they are very stout for being hollow and already have the ends rounded or a ball welded to them.

[King Bee]

Thanks all, exellent ideas.
I've been out practicing in the grass areas of the local tot-lots with a long philips head. I'm doing more dirt hunting than ever since moving out here and I definitely feel it's important to get this technique down.

So, some lessons learned so far:
1. Going to have to get brass or apply some kind of epoxy or something to the tip, because, as noted above, the screwdrivers scratch coins quite a bit.

2. A screwdriver and pinpointer go hand in hand.

3. My best attack has been to probe with the screwdriver, cut a slit with the Spyderco and insert fingers or pinpointer.

4. The dirt here isn't condusive to popping the coins up with the screwdriver. Trying just tears up the grass.

5. Time to upgrade. I'm getting a better dirt machine. The BH I have is not a great pinpointer. For some reason the hot spot is always floating to the right of center. Fine for sand, frustrating for dirt. I know the tones like bird calls, and they are very accurate, but the pinpointing is frustrating, and of course the depth is just what a $160 machine should deliver. After intense deliberation on my needs, I ordered a Tesoro Vaq tonight.

Thanks again!

[EBCIII]

Originally Posted by King Bee

Thanks all, exellent ideas.
I've been out practicing in the grass areas of the local tot-lots with a long philips head. I'm doing more dirt hunting than ever since moving out here and I definitely feel it's important to get this technique down.

So, some lessons learned so far:
1. Going to have to get brass or apply some kind of epoxy or something to the tip, because, as noted above, the screwdrivers scratch coins quite a bit.

2. A screwdriver and pinpointer go hand in hand.

3. My best attack has been to probe with the screwdriver, cut a slit with the Spyderco and insert fingers or pinpointer.

4. The dirt here isn't condusive to popping the coins up with the screwdriver. Trying just tears up the grass.

5. Time to upgrade. I'm getting a better dirt machine. The BH I have is not a great pinpointer. For some reason the hot spot is always floating to the right of center. Fine for sand, frustrating for dirt. I know the tones like bird calls, and they are very accurate, but the pinpointing is frustrating, and of course the depth is just what a $160 machine should deliver. After intense deliberation on my needs, I ordered a Tesoro Vaq tonight.

Thanks again!

Congrats on the Vaquero!! You will like it very much, I know I do, Beale.

[Robalou]

I have had very good success with this technique:
First I use a good quality screw driver. I use one that is very strong. Some will bend and they aren't very good for probing. I also use one with a very comfortable handle. A nicely rounded handle is very important or you will get blisters on your palm. After a lot of probing, you will find that your screw driver no longer looks like a screw driver. The screwdriver end will get rounded and smoothe. This is very desirable as it no longer scratches the items you find.
Here is my technique:
I poke around with my screw driver/probe until I hit the item. You can tell more by the sound than the feel of it. I make sure my screw driver is on the item. Then I carefully make a slot up against my screwdriver with a small narrow garden shovel. When I touch the item with the shovel, the screwdriver will shake. Then I open up a small slot and I remove the little shovel. I put my hand into the slot and I press the item up against the screwdriver with my finger. Using my finger and the screwdriver together, I lift up the item. Using this technique I rarely scratch the item. After lifting the item out of the ground, I step on the slot in the ground, pressing the slot shut, and the grass back in place. Using this technique you can't tell I did anything. The grass is not damaged at all, and there is no evidence I had been there.
Good luck in,
Robalou

[smartfox]

thank you everyone. I wil be doing some metal detecting at my yard and my neighbors. will try the screwdriver tecknique and see if it works that way I do not need to do plugs and keep the grass nice. Will maybe start with a few plugs and if I see that the grass looks a bit messier will start on the screwdriver. also going to work on my grass pinpointing.