Coin probe?

[nitro74d]

I know if I searched more on the forum I would find my answer, but I don't have time. So, what I wanted to ask was this: How does a coin probe work? Do you first have to dig the hole then use it? Or do you just simply poke the ground to feel the coin down there and then what? I heard some people talk about popping the coin out with a probe. How does this happen with the dirt still on top or did I read that wrong? Also, what if it is a ring, will the probe work the same way? Any info would help.

Thanks,

Nitro

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[Blind.In.Texas]

hey nitro,

i use a probe myself. yes it can work for you. you must consider the soil type you are in. some places have lots of rock content in the soil. haven't been to florida since i was 12 so, i cant remember what its like. maybe in S.C. the soil is soft enough to do that. as i remember the last time i was around Ashville the soil where i was was veeery soft. here in the united states of texas that is altogether as different story.

what i do is this. probe my area. when i find my target i probe all around, basically perforating the circumferance of my target, and then begin to rotate my probe around the taget area along the "Dotted line" i just made. this helps me out occasionally when the soil is very hard, such as 2"-3" of clay. that is what our typical soil is like. the softer the soil the easier to remove the target. and there is NO popping out of the target here. it just doesn't happen like that.

you can also perf the circum. of the target and then use your hand spade to help pop out your newly perfed plug. all this depends upon your soil type.

good luck and HH

 

[nitro74d]

Thanks for the info, the area in Florida where I am is very grassy with thick roots that go down about 3 to 4 inches. Then it is pretty soft dirt from there, every once in awhile hitting some chuncky clay or substance. But, I tried using a screw driver today as a probe in my yard to test it out, and well, it kept feeling like I was hitting something but when I dug it out it was a lump of solid substance that the detector couldn't have beeped on since I checked it. I never did find what was in that hole even when I dug it with a trowel. Hmmm. It was ringing on penny/dime, bottle cap, then nickle/ring all in the same hole about about 5 to 6 inches. Ever have that problem. I am using a DFX and really not that good at it either.

 

[BADDOG]

Nitro74d,
Are you new to Brooksville? I live in Weeki Wachee. Mighty Mouse lives in Brooksville also.
I've got a few good sites where I've gotten permission in Brooksville if your interested.

Good Luck and HH

Baddog

 

[Blind.In.Texas]

Yes I have had that problem. Usually it is some sort of corroded item such as a nail or tin or anything cardon-based that can oxidize. At least that is what I have noticed with my BH. If you are using a slotted/flat tip screwdriver, then, don't. It snags on roots and rocks on the way down. Use a phillips at least. Someone else on the forum uses a carpenter's scratch awl. I visited my local dollar store and picked up a 24" screwdriver. Care should be taken with these as often times they are made of very cheap metal, but, this is my soft soil tool. I will cut flat tip off and rond it.

In the case of you not finding the object. Sometimes when you turn an object over its signal may change. Minerals in the ground, as I am told, can also cause the detctor to sound off. In the mulch pits I experience this quite often. I will get a steady signal, dig, and find nothing. In this case I have learned to kick the mulch at the surface and re-tone to save time digging useless holes.

The other thing is that when you get multiple fast switching tones it is probably just mineralization. Turn the sensitivity down a hair. That's what I do and it helps. Also try swiping side to side on you target area and then also from 90 degress on that same area. When I do this and don't get a tone I dont dig it. Soil is too hard here to just dig everything that makes a noise.

 

[mgdigger]

I use two probes. The first one is a 5/16 brass rod epoxied into a golf ball with a tapered point. I use it to find the target, and if not to deep pop it out. The second one is a long thin flat screw driver that had the end heated and bent into a hook. This one is good to pull up deeper targets and on occasion pull up a ring or two.

 

[Blind.In.Texas]

thats very creative digger. i think golf is a silly sport, but, you have found a very useful purpose for it's equipment.