Metal Detecting

The following 7 metal detecting lessons assume that you have little or no experience with a metal detector and are designed to help you get up to speed with the lingo and techniques required to be a successful metal detectorist rather than rely on simple dumb luck. If you are looking for more specialized metal detecting concepts, then you may be interested in the other more advanced metal detector training articles posted farther down this page.

 

Metal Detecting Fundamentals:

 

Metal Detection Depth

Metal Detecting Id and Discrimination

Metal Detecting and Ground Balance

Metal Detecting Coils

Metal Detecting Coil Sweeps

Metal Detecting Search Patterns

Metal Detecting Recovery Techniques

 

More Metal Detecting Topics:

 

In the articles that follow, you can learn some of the strategies that I use for different types of metal detecting situations as well as some metal detecting experiences. Check back as I will continue to add new articles.

 

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Metal Detecting Near Playground Poles

Most playground equipment is supported by large metal poles. This poses a problem for detectorists as many metal detectors cannot get within eight inches of the poles without their detector sounding off. What this means that the sand, gravel or wood chips close to the tot lot poles are not searched as often or effectively [...]

Coil Size when Metal Detecting for Gold Nuggets

While it is fun watching dvds of the pros metal detect for gold nuggets with their high end setups and large assortment of coils, the reality is that most hobbyist nugget shooters are not able to spend enough time in the gold fields to justify buying several ridiculously expensive coils to fit every possible scenario [...]

Observing a New Metal Detectorist at the Beach

When it comes to metal detecting, technique and timing can greatly affect the success of an outing. To demonstrate this, I will share an experience that I had metal detecting in Southern California. A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to attend a business meeting in San Diego within walking distance of La [...]

Metal Detecting an Old High School

Learning to read an old metal detecting site can lead to success, while not taking the time to get to know a site can often lead to hours of less productive metal detecting. Though an old location may appear to be original, it often is not. Over the years, landscape alterations and fill dirt can [...]

Metal Detecting Gold

ring in sand

If metal detecting turf and searching tot lots isn’t producing enough gold to quench your gold fever, it may be time to get a little more serious and branch out into some types of metal detecting that will increase your odds of finding gold.  To get started, you will likely need to add a specialty [...]

How to Find Metal Detecting Sites

Old Books with Coins

One of my favorite sources for finding new places to find gold or to metal detect are old books, especially regional history books and first hand accounts.  Often, these long forgotten books can provide insights into the layout of camps, old diggings and historical events not to mention that they are usually an interesting read [...]

Metal Detecting Sweeps That Miss Gold Nuggets

Metal Detector Coil Sweep

First, swinging too fast will often lead to missed gold nuggets.  One reason for this is that in many of the gold bearing regions, the old timers left large amounts of junk iron.  When your metal detector coil passes over the junk metal, the detector will analyze the signal and decide whether to reject or [...]

Metal Detecting a Hotpot

metal detecting hotpot

One day, while thinking about new places to metal detect, I remembered a local hotpot that I had heard about back in high school. It was a place to hang out, party and do what teenagers often do in that kind of setting–play rough. I thought that this would be a great place to try [...]

Metal Detecting for 57 Million Dollars

old money

A short search with the Explorer netted me more than 5 dollars, 14 being quarters.  But that was nothing compared to what waits out there. Looking back on the past, it makes sense. Our yard had the swing set and the trampoline and attracted the neighbor kids. In fact, my little boy reminded me of [...]

Successful Metal Detecting Tip 1: Expectations

Metal Detecting Keys

Metal detecting is definitely an exciting and rewarding hobby. Unlike many other hobbies, metal detecting actually helps to pay for itself by producing coins, jewelry and gold. From a marketing perspective, metal detector manufacturers and dealers often use this aspect of the hobby to sell their products. Unfortunately, this can lead to some false expectations [...]