reccomendation to clear trash - detector

[maverick06]

All,
I am looking for a detector recommendation primarily to clear the trash from my yard. The house has had a few roofs installed, and an addition. As best as I can tell the builders used the yard as the trash pit.... With kids, I want to clear the junk from it.

I bought a cheapie harbor freight detector (i know i know.... junk... i thought i was looking for nails how hard is that, https://www.harborfreight.com/6-function-metal-detector-43150.html ) BUT the cheap detector isnt doing what i want. I am not a total idiot, mechanical engineer, and I have tuned it right. It actually works decently to find coins. However, it just cruises right over ferrous stuff. Even with the discriminator all the way to MIN it does not see the ferrous stuff. I was able to partially use it by tuning it high, then scanning the area listening for when the sound stopped and the needle blipped to the ferrous side. However it was very hard to pick out that.

I also have an ancient Micronta 4003 which appears to not be working right. Cable needs replacement. When held just right, I can get it to respond to non-ferrous, but again, its not buzzing for ferrous. I am sure i have used it to find nails in the past, but I think its showing its age and not working great....

Point being, I am not hunting for pirate treasure. Just trying to find a detector to find the nails (steel, iron, and aluminum) all over my yard (subsurface). Preferably <$200.

Suggestions are welcome! Thanks
Rick

 

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[Professor of Engineering]

A Garrett Ace 250 should do you well. You could also purchase a good Tesoro detector (it beeps you dig).

Another way to get small nails...etc. would be to mount powerful rare earth magnets attached 3" apart on a 6 foot piece of plastic 1" PVC pipe (10' foot pipe cost about $3.00 dollars). Add some rope (on each end) to drag the PVC along the ground; should get most if not all of any recently dropped nails...etc.

Then buy a good machine to detect your yard and have fun with the new hobby.

Good Luck on your yard cleaning project.

Doc

 

[bravobob]

Bounty Hunter Tracker IV ! Or all most any other Bounty Hunter. Extremely underrated , very inexpensive.

 

[Herbie1955]

I would check your local Craigs list there are usually entry level detectors for sale there.

 

[Grizz12]

Go to the local big box store and ask about a magnet to pick up construction debris. One of these https://www.homedepot.com/s/magnetic%20sweeper?NCNI-5

 

[maverick06]

Thanks for the advice. magnets wont work, most is subsurface a bit, inch or two... (still shallow enough i worry about the kids getting a nail through the foot) I have PMed someone about the sale of a garrett ace 250. nothing meaningful on craigslist now. But I am not in a hurry, its a springtime project. Amazing how the previous owners of the place just didnt care about making a mess. The current harbor freight one has found a bucket of nails, a few drill bits, lots of aluminum flashing, bits and pieces of pipes for a bathtub, and one wheat penny.... It has more than provided justification to buy a real detector to clear the area....

 

[cudamark]

If your yard is that infested, I'd be tempted to scrape off the top foot and bring in some new soil.

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes, the Garrett ACE 250, a Tesoro like the Cibola or the Bounty Hunter will fit the bill nicely.