First outing leads to questions

Hello everyone,

My first hunt yesterday was a bit confusing although I think I did learn a thing or two. My finds consisted of an old air hose coupler, a can lid and a piece of an aluminum can. I did not expect much more in the trashy but easy digging areas I chose, but I do have two questions.

I got a couple signals for silver coins, but when I dug to the indicated depth I found nothing. When I waved the detector over the hole and the dirt I took out of it the signal was gone. Where did it go?

Second, I rode over to what passes for a swim beach near where I live. It had coarse sand but is easy to dig. I dug a couple of holes that signaled well, and again nothing. I dug deeper an realized that the man made beach was underlaid with a cement slab. Could I have been picking up
signals from the rebar used?

I apologize for the long post, but I am impressed by the helpful nature of the members and welcome any suggestions.

HJ

[TonyinCT]

What detector are you using ? Do you have a pinpointer ? The coin certainly could have slipped beyond the deptth you could find it now that the "halo" of the object was disturbed. Once an object has this happen the detector now may not be able to read the target. It would help if we know what detector you were using.

Hi folks,

I went out again today and did a tiny bit better. I am using an Ace 250 with no separate pinpointing device (but I am begining to see where one might come in handy). The pinpoint mode on the detector does reasonably well. After experimenting today and noticing how the detector reacts, I think I was on to some trash yesterday. I found my first coin today and am getting more comfortable with starting to dig in the proper place in respect to the target. At least today I unearthed something in 8 out of ten digs.

But trash or not, there should have been something in that hole...

Thanks for the input!!

HJ

[dougdann]

A hint for sand is check it well.
Sometimes a quarter can be in hand and you won't even realize it.
Use a sifter or something to help out.

Found a lot of change on the beach just by walking and checking spots left by other detctorists.

And also the smallest piece of metal can be in the sand and detected, but being so small almost impossible to locate.

Bst of luck,

Doug

[TwoDogsBob]

Good thought by Dougdann about small bits of metal. I picked up a signal that I just could not find even though it was still there but kept moving as I dug. Finally discovered that it was shotgun shot. Looked just like the dirt.
It gets easier with time and experience under your belt.... Bob

[PAPPY]

Iv'e seen the time that a small piece of rusty fish hook has dove me completly nuts. That may have been your problem...PAPPY

Considering the area that I was hunting in, the fish hook or shotgun pellet scenario would be very believable.

BoobieinPA: Blew all of my fun money on the detector, may have to sweet talk the wife into a pinpointer...

[bill(de)]

Hi HJ,

One thing that may help is to place the dirt taken out of the hole on a piece of cloth. It makes it easy to put it back in the hole and may help find your digs easier. HH Bill

[Hunt4Fun]

Hi History Junkie,

If you are good with your hands, you may be able to make a cheap pinpointer. I have run across several homemade pinpointer plans on the net. The included link is one of them.


http://members.fortunecity.com/nmhra...Pinpointer.htm


Good luck
Hunt4Fun

[PaDigger]

Like many have said, sometimes the object is hard to find, for some us with bifocal glasses it is even harder yet! I sometimes take a handful of dirt at a time and waive it by the coil, when the ground is wet (muddy) it is really fun tryin to find those lovely pennies

I use the 250 also, biggest thing is go slow and learn what signals are good, in my yard I dig most everything but before I dig I make a guesstimate of what I will find, getting better at it but will probably never rid this property of all metal objects.

Unfortunately I don't have a pinpointer either, once I learn more what the MD is telling me I'll get one and take the easy way, till then I am having fun and hope you have as much fun with your 250 also.