Anyone ever use a small dirt sifter?

[roadkingclassic56]

I have been thinking about building a small dirt sifter to sift throught the dirt removed from the hole. I spread the dirt out on the ground usually but it seems time consuming to spread each scoop out on the ground to see if the target is in it. I was thinking it might save some time if I put each scoop in a sifter and if I don't find the article right away I could simply sift the dirt back in to the hole. Anyone else use a sifter?? or is this a rookie idea? I was thinking maybe 1ft by 1ft ?

[EBCIII]

Most beach hunters use a digger with holes in them. It works well on sand. The only issue I see with a sifter and sopil is all the other stuff in it. Rocks, grass, roots, etc. I dunno I am not to sure it would help.

Have you thought about a pinpointer? They work pretty good at locating targets in a dirt pile, Beale.

[RobbieD]

I carry a Frisbee when I detect, and throw the excavated dirt into it. Makes it easier to go through it, and it's also easy to pass the Frisbee with the soil in it under coil to see if the target's out of the hole. Also helps in leaving behind a tidier spot where I dug.

[Buster]

I know that "E" uses a home made sifter that she made...seems to work good for her...Me I just cut the plug and wave it in front of my coil..If it gives off a signal, then I pull it apart over my digging tool and then install the dirt back in the hole..The sifter idea is still a good one....Buster....:smil e:

[92goldwing]

the sifter sounds like a grand idea ............ I actually started to use a smaller towel to put all my dirt on...... it works really well because it gives you a place to put the dirt and plug and go through them......... I have found that if ya take the plug and shake the dirt off sometimes the coin will fall out of it ....... and after you find the coin the towel gives you an easy clean up because your dirt is on the towel. Drag the towel over to the hole and dump the dirt back in pack it down a little and put the plug in and your done and you can hardly tell where you dug in the grass!!

try it you will be amazed how clean the grass actually looks when done !!

['E']

Yeah as Buster said I made a sifter, it's 12" x 12" x 2" high, went to Ace Hardware & got some 1/4" mesh & nailed it on the bottom, works great, saves a ton of time when dirt diggin, I use a sand scoop for the beach tho.

[WOOD GUY]

Yes I Use A Sifter. I Use The Upper Tray Of A Coleman Ice Chest Which Is Around 10"x12"x2" With 3/16" Holes In The Bottem Of The Tray. I Used To Use Pinpointers But, Now Find This Is A Better, Faster Method For Me, Especially Deeper Targets. I Hunt Mostly Coins Jewery. Mitch