Probe Poll (not Pinpointer)

[IndianaSmith]

Just curious how many use a probe. Please atleast vote, answer questions below if you feel like it .

1-If you use one, do you feel brass is better than steel? Meaning do you feel there's less chance of damaging (scratching) a find?

2-Is the additional cost of brass worth it over steel?

3-Anyone ever use a fiberglass probe?

4-If you use a probe, do you use it for coins (and smaller items) or for larger items (or both), including to rule-out junk, cans or to locate something that could contain a possible cache?

5- What's the shortest and what's the longest probe you (do or would) use?

Thanks
Smitty

 

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[Farmercal]

Smitty,
I use a brass probe (with pearl handle) in conjunction with the pinpointer. If the coin is shallow and I can probe it and get it out without digging, that is what I do. Here are my answers to your questions.

1 - Yes brass better than steel

2 - To me it was. It's not like I will ever have to buy another one

3 - No

4 - For whatever I detect (mostly coins)

5- 8 inches, anything deeper I will have dig a hole for anyway

Cal

 

[999slvrfx]

I use a 10 inch brass probe made out of 1/4 inch rod.
One end is ground flat like a screwdriver tip and the other
is threaded with a golf ball screwed on it for a handle.
Cost me nothing to make, but my time since it all was scrap pieces.
I have made several for friends who use them all the time.
They work great since they don't leave marks if you hit your target.

999slvrfx

 

[IndianaSmith]

Thanks for taking the time reply. I was considering making some, didn't know if it'd be worthwhile.

Smitty

 

[Sandman]

I too use a brass probe about 9 inches long and I have a walnut handle. I never thought of using a golf ball, be nice to bounce it off the drive way but I'd probable poke myself in the eye.

I also used solid fiberglass shafts from fishing rod blanks and while they won't mar the coin you can't retrieve with them like Farmercal does.

Depending on the site I also use a bayonet due to the two sided blade. You can't cut anything with it, but it jams inside the hole of a pull tab or ring instead of poking all around it trying to hit the edge.

I have used stainless steel automobile antennas and these would scratch a coin if you were careless. Now days you can't find a antenna.

 

[doctorbb]

I've used an ice pick for years. In fact it's so old that it used to be 6" long and now it's like 4". Time to replace it. I also stuck a rubber cap made for walking canes over the end of the wood handle to protect my palm. I just round off the tip with a file when needed to keep it dull. I probe every find and once located, if it's shallow I just pop it out. If it's too deep to pop out I stick my Lesche tool into the ground under the find and make a slit to get my finger in. I then find the end of the probe and there's the coin, ring, cap, pull-tab, etc. The probe will go through thin aluminum or foil so sometimes I have to dig a plug to clean that crap out. Saves a lot of digging.

 

[johnnycat]

I use an old ice pick with the tip rounded smooth. Hey 999slvrfx do you mean just a simple brass rod that can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot