Metal Detectors & Money

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I never had any inteention of my metal detector paying for itself. My son often points that fact out when I bring home a couple dollars in change by asking me "How much did you find and hao much do you have in that thing?" 8) I always tell him that I do not do it to make money, but to get out and enjoy myself. There is always the hope that one day I will make some awsome find that would be worth what I have in my detector or more, but if it ever happens, it will go into the same place with all the clad and other things I have found. I have the first penny I found found with this detector (and every other piece of clad) - it is worth more to me than the one cent that is written on it ;D
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

Well, If I expect to pay for my TH Gear, at the rate I am going it would take me upteen years, and I still have a long list of "I wants but can't afford" right now. Besides I am having problems parting with the rusty crap I drag home right now, can't imagine parting with anything good I might find.

I do believe without a doubt I will eventually find something that would pay for my gear several times over. But I don't look at it that way. Right now the enjoyment, excitment, fresh air, new friends, yada yada I get from it is worth 2x what I have in it.
So yeah we all want to find the golden eggs, that make us wealthy or at least breaking even but its the thrill of the chase that makes it worth it.
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

Okay, this post is just too good not to reply :)
For me, metal detecting is all about having fun and the excitement of not knowing what is under the next trowel full of dirt.
Be it coins or old artifacts that give you a glimpse into the past, its all part of the fun. And yea, you may find that one coin or meteorite or cache that will let you make a pot load of money, which just means more time can be spent metal detecting than working :)
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I don't think anyone who gets into the hobby hasn't thought about that big score. As a newbie, I constantly wonder if that next "ping" from my BH, is going to put me on easy street. Last weekend I came back with a zinc penny, a bent spoon, and a fairly recent beat up matchbox car. I found the whole experience thrilling.
Several years ago, my better half and I went to Alaska. They had a wonderful dinner theatre show there, and the lyrics of one of the songs really hit home to me.
"I wanted that gold and I got it, came back with a fortune last fall
But somehow life's not what I thought it, and somehow the gold isn't all"
Several other lines and then
"It isn't the gold that I'm wanting..... as much as just finding the gold (the italics are mine).
Of course we all want to find the wealth. But I think most of us know that wealth isn't why we do it
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

RUMME , I still think you are missing the point . Would I love to find a whole stack of gold coins ? Hell Yes Would I like to shoot a 30 point buck with my deer rifle ? Hell Yes Would I like to catch a 40 # bass with my fishing pole ? Hell Yes These things hardly ever if ever happen . No we wouldn't be happy if we never dug anything but a pulltab or piece of foil . I can get pretty excited about an indian head penny or a mercury dime though . HH
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

well im a newbie..and somewhat of a dummy to this hobby..but I learn quickly ;D ;D.......I think within 2 weeks I should know most of the functions of my new Time Ranger bounty hunter that arrived today. and if I stick with it for a year and havent at least found enough clad to pay for half of the detector, I will be a bit dissapointed. Keeping in mind that just 1 gold coin, ring, chain or 1 heavy silver chain, necklace, pendant will go a long way towards meeting my yearly goal . Im not expecting to find a cache of gold, but I am hoping that this hobby will help pay for the detector I just purchased. I know I wont be a collector of most of the items I find..like metal toys, or bullets..etc. because I am a stickler for keeping my home uncluttered and I dont like alot of junk/trinkets laying around the house or the garage. My wife knows this better then anyone. About once every year I go into a mode where I collect the majoirty of all her goofy little trinkets, refrigerator magnets, etc and put them in a big garbage bag and take them to goodwill. And we usually have a big argument that night. But one argument a year aint to bad ;D
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

i'll spend 10 bucks in gas to go .... in hopes of getting a silver dime....
value of the dime,, maybe 2 bucks....that's a 8 dollar loss everytime i go to that spot....and i don't even sell my finds.. what i honestly get is a hell of a time looking for said dime.... cladding has more than paid for one machine,, i have 3..... if they pay for themselves,, cool,, if not cool..
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I like many people here didn't get into this hobby to make money. I got into this solely for my kids and well my father. As far back as I can remember My father had always wanted a detector but would never buy one because he didn't have them means to do so. Later when I could support myself, he continually mentioned about getting one and going hunting at certain sites in his home town (I think he had insider info). At that time I wasn't interested in MD'ing. When I became interested his health was failing and couldn't participate in the search, I again left the MD thing go by the wayside...

Later my sons and I were watching TV and a show came on about MD'ing and showed a lot of interest in it. So I thought well I'll rent one and see what happens and how they would take to it. We had a complete blast. Everything we dug was a treasure, no matter what it was. It turned out to be a great family outing. It was at that point I started looking into buying one. At first I was concerned about price and pay back of the machine then I got to thinking about it. The time I could have spent with my pops (before he passed) doing this would have been great.

So I purchased one and in my eyes the time I spend with my sons diggin holes and Searchin. The machine has paid for itself Ten fold already and I've only had it a year.

HH
3s
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

When I was a MD dealer, I had a guy come in and buy an XLT with all the fixins at the cheapest price he could get anywhere, bar none. He had some sort of disabilty and was able to hunt everyday (I need one of those kind of disabilities).

I saw him again three years later and he told me that he had found $1000-$1500 each year since getting the detector. I said he should buy him a new one it was probably worn out. But he wouldn't...said it was still as good as new. He said he gives the money to his grandkids a couple of times a year.

Must be nice.

Burt
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

So I purchased one and in my eyes the time I spend with my sons diggin holes and Searchin. The machine has paid for itself Ten fold already and I've only had it a year.
Click to expand...
This is the main idea behind treasure hunting with a metal detector. FUN

Metal detecting is about all I do anymore for entertainment. I think it's the most exciting thing you can do with your clothes on. Sure I've found enough to pay for my detectors, but not with digging all the coins out of the dirt. To make your time pay for itself you need a job. Then Your just wasting time when you could be detecting. Wait till you bring home a couple gold rings in one day. Hobbies are just that, hobbies. Nobody thinks they need to have hobbies pay for their equipement.
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

WV Hillbilly said:
By the way after rereading my post it didn't come across exactly like I intended . Out of the things I listed as toys for my enjoyment only two of my guns , the fishing poles & the metal detector were purchased new . I'm also looking for a used camper . If I hadn't been afraid of getting a metal detector that didn't work properly I would have bought that used also . The point I was really trying to make was for me life is about enjoying myself & being happy . I have never believed money could buy happiness so I don't worry about justifiying the price of my toys . HH
Click to expand...


WV H,

like your attitude. ;D
Your what the hobby should be about.

have a good un.........................
SHERMANVILLE
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I got into metal detecting by the allure of gold and silver rings and coins just like most people. One person mentions above that he'd rather find 3 indian head pennies then find $3.00 in clad. I have to agree with that. The IH penny's are something I can show off and get a little puffy chested over. But how many of you go to all your friends and say "hey look at all this crudy clad I found today" I know I will eventually make enough to pay for my detector but I'll never recoup the amount I paid for gas to get to these spots and the cost of batteries. I also know that finding that gold and silver ring makes me smile so big that I almost have a flip top head. It's always good to see that shiny metal in the sunlight. Originally I was going to sell all of my gold and silver to help pay for the machine. But I'm really having a hard time parting with them. The one ring I got is similair to my wedding band which I paid close to $200 for and I'll be lucky if I can see it for $25. I know how much time and effort went into retrieving those pieces and I hate to see a mere $25 for a weeks worth of hardcore detecting. I guess I feel if I sell them then I will be pissin' away a memory. I think I'll just horde them for now. Maybe I'll be able to fill a coffee can full of gold and silver rings and sock them away for a really rainy day. I think my original goal to get rich quick has all but faded away but then again, getting away from life for a while well the waves beat gently on your legs and watching another sunset on a lonely beach. PRICELESS. Swizzle
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

True, this is one of the few hobbies that can pay back, but thats not the point for me. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, not knowing what the next thing will be. The excitement of just being out and having the power to find the unknown!!! Its great!!! Just get out and enjoy and if you need to pay off your machine Good luck!!!

Greg
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

About once every year I go into a mode where I collect the majoirty of all her goofy little trinkets, refrigerator magnets, etc and put them in a big garbage bag and take them to goodwill. And we usually have a big argument that night.
Click to expand...

Oh Lordy Rummee,
Let us know the next time you plan to do this again..........'cause I think we all would love to see that argument.......ha/ha

I almost fell out of my computer chair laughing at this part!
--Mel ;D :o ::) :-*
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

Folks enter fishing tournaments for X amount of money and come away with no prize because they didn't catch the big one. Do they enter again even though they didn't win? Yes they do. Why do they do this time a time again? The excitement of the hunt for that big one. The same holds true for metal detecting. There is always that chance that I will pull up a 1916d dime or that diamond cluster ring. I do it for the thrill of the hunt. Heck as someone else already pointed out, we are not even going to be able to find enough money most of the time to pay for fuel for the vehicle we are using to get to the hunts. Then again, if you count the friends I've met through this great hobby and the organized hunts I have has a blast attending, then yes I have paid for my detectors many time over. If my goal was to pay for the detector it would be easier to get a part time job until the money was earned back and then start detecting for pure enjoyment.
 

My detector paid for itself before I

even opened it. Just love digging and the thrill a detector gives me is money enough. I'm sure every detector I buy will eventually pay for itself, but the pleasure is worth more. Don't get me wrong, love digging a coin with a huge dollar amount or a $5000 dollar ring, but those don't happen every day, so I just head out dig coins, junk, and anything else and have fun doing it!!
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I wanted to have something to do when i retire in 25 years from now. I thought about gardening and furniture making but that sounded too much like work. Making money is not a factor. Sure i may find something valuable but all of those and the clad goes back into buying nice collectable coins that will be real valuable to my grandkids some day. My grandfathers and grandmothers left me nothing, not even a picture. i want to have fun giving something to the family of my future provided the terrorist haven't blown it by then.
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I love all the fresh air and health benefits as much as the next guy, but I have to be honest with myself, with the respect that there is always the possibility that I might find something of value. My interests in history, antiques, collectibles, coins, gems & minerals, lithics, etc., all come with the fact that I could find a valuable item. I can't help that fact, and it is always on my wish list to get that really great find. I can't help it if the things I love have a monetary value.

And, if all those items just happened to have no value at all, I would be just as enthusiastic about my hobbies as I have always been.

The one fact that remains is this; METAL DETECTORS FIND MONEY!

Good question to put out there though! Gets people thinking!
 

Re: Metal Detectors & Money

I kinda see this hobby a bit like fishing....I spent oooodles of money on fishing equipment over the years and for what? A trophy bass to hang on the wall...only worth something to me. When I am out md'ing, it is a bit like fishing.....never really really know what you are going to find until you dig it up....sometimes a bottle cap...sometimes a ring..sometimes...a piece of metal that I can't even begin to tell what it came from. I do know one thing...I am much easier to get along with after I get out and do it...one heck of a good stress reliever and I am not one that is into this running or walking around a track kick. I have enough of that bull in the job that I do. When I bought my detector, I had no illusions of becoming rich by finding the pot of gold...hmmmm...well I do still try and find where that darn rainbow ends..lol HH everyone and enjoy life and the outdoors...
 

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