Reddit mentions: The best metal detector parts & accessories

OK I am home from work. So....I see someone linked you to minedat. All the locations I was going to mention to you are in there. If you go to Big Brook, this is what you want to look for as far as fossils goes (we collected these ourselves): https://imgur.com/VgWjTnR..

The tube shaped things are fossilized phragmocones from belemnites.....a squidlike animal. You can see a fossil shark tooth on the left. The curved horn shaped things are oyster fossils and the round-is objects are fossilized brachiopods. These are also pictured on the Big Brook website: http://www.njfossils.net/invertebrate.html..

I suggest you take along many towels (muddy sometimes), a change of clothes, a bathingsuit (the water starts to look reeeeeally inviting on a hot day. We just sit in the water and sift). And one of these (This is the one we got. I think there are size restrictions so dont get a bigger one): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B0T5Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1..

There is also a place called Poricy Park in Red Bank. We have never been but a friend of mine had great success there. Same situation as Big Brook, bring lots of towels because its muddy as heck. I feel like I am forgetting to tell you something but if I think of it I will comment again on this post. Feel free to ask any questions, we probably live less than 20 miles from you, so we know the area well. My husband is also a Geologist so feel free to pick our brains. Dont be shy!

I recently bought this 5pc sifting set to sift thru my vermicompost and I enjoy using it so far. It's perfect for my current size (1 bin). They fit perfectly over a standard 5 gallon bucket. I'm able to sift 3 "types" of compost. Very fine, fine and compost with cocoons.

I definitely recommend them if you're small scale - It's a bit time consuming however.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7YCQIQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00

I have little blips of footage of my castings here:
https://youtu.be/gZdj6YVor0Y

A good pinpointer is extremely helpful if he doesn't have one already, I'd suggest the Propointer 1/2 if you're on a budget, if not the Garrett Pro pointer AT (Which is also waterproof and so is easily cleaned). Also a strong hand digger (like this) makes life alot easier when locating targets in ground with alot of rocks or roots.

EDIT: Beware of fake Pinpointers if you do end up getting one, always get them from trusted Garrett dealers like Regtons.

I believe this is a fine detector for your purposes. I've seen better models for rent at the same price, especially if you are planning to use it for only the weekend. You may find a better one to rent for a comparable price. Although there tends to be a bit of a learning curve with higher quality detectors (in my experience) so make sure you get a good class from the dealer before you take it out.

Either way, that model will detect metal, no doubt about it., And with the kids, I would say an equally important part of this adventure is having the right tools. Specifically, a few of these to go around.

I've organized hunts for the little ones before, and I may or may not have seeded the beach with some coins in order to make sure everyone found something when it was their turn! Spend a few dollars and get a few rolls of coin to plant on the beach before the kids get out there. Or even a few Hot Wheels cars for the boys, or cheap accessory jewelry for the little ladies. I know it may not be a genuine experience, but I get the feeling this is more about creating memories. And there's nothing wrong with that. Don't forget the scoops!

Happy Hunting

My suggestions might be different if you hadn't indicated both low budget and immediate(?) need.

[Sand scoop] (https://www.amazon.com/SE-GP3-SS20-Plastic-Treasure-Hunting/dp/B00KEV2RRY/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468600120&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=snad+scoop)...the heavier/heavier duty ones become less attractive for a number of reasons. This one can be scooped through dry sand and shaken with relative ease. If wet sand...slow way down and place a shovelful into it and shake(not nearly ideal, but gets the job done and stays in budget)

Shovel...lots of options in the $10-$20 range. Check the local hardware store. IMHO, I would avoid wooden handles and def stay away from survival type tool/shovels with threads. Sand/grit + threads, don't mix well

A trash "bag". It's the nature of the beast, as you've seen in your 1st foray, you are likely to dig more trash than treasure. This is a great time to re-enforce good stewardship. Bring an onion bag or 2 to place all the junk finds in and dispose of them in a proper receptacle when you leave the beach. Small length of cord attached allows it to be slung over shoulder or slightly longer cord can be tied around waist and dragged behind.

Small goodie bag so treasure doesn't get "re-lost"

Have Fun!!!!

:D reminds me of when I got started almost exactly.
I have that exact sluice and still use it for test panning when I do test pan. I also bought a 48" Keene hand sluice, which I use all summer long for classifying the material from my dredge.
Each person has their preference in gloves. I do not like to spend a lot of money on gloves. But need something that still has grip when my hands are wet. I like these types of gloves personally. They will last around 2 weeks 8-10 hours a day in the water with the dredge.
I would say bring some Jet Dry or Dish Soap if you get super fine gold it will float right out of your pan. Extra tweezers and maybe snuff bottles.. You will eventually decide which kind of pan you prefer, I personally have come to the conclusion 1 LARGE Green pan, and one smaller black pan. Throw some lead shot into that paydirt and practice bending over in awkward positions because when you are panning at a creek or a river its never ideal unless you just get in. For shoes I buy whatever pair of shoes are $10 at walmart because they're going to get destroyed.

Good luck!

For separating I used to use the RCBS Media Separator, it worked ok, but was just a lot of work.
I am now using a set of gold sifting pans, 1/4 and 1/100, and it works great.

And as for the HF tumbler, I recommend Modding the Drum.

I have one of these. It works great because they're designed to sit on a 5 gallon bucket so all the fines fall directly into the bucket for easy clean up. Granted, not as awesome as "The Machine"

Sandbed question

I have a mix of sand in my 75gallon tank. It’s a mix of fine grain and aggregate sand. I’m not a fan of the aggregate look, and would like to have a smoother looking bed.

Should I replace all the sand? Or buy something like this to separate the two grades? https://www.amazon.com/SE-GP2-14-Patented-Stackable-Sifting/dp/B00B3KPT7U/ref=pd_aw_lpo_21_bs_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WS6A5ZETDWZVNEV623GT&th=1

I have a deeper sandbed and could also add another bag IF sifting is a reasonable solution.

Right on! I too have just entered the world of fresh milled flour(I'm jealous I have a nutrimill). If your interested in having different grades of flour I recommend checking out at least a 50 micron screen. I got a 50 and a 100 micron screens on Amazon to sift out bran and flour that was closer to a fine sand kind of like semolina. I found the largest and cheapest stainless screens were weirdly enough in the gold mining section. Most of the screens people had reviewed the cooking models as not stainless as advertised or the frame would rust or they were as much as $150 for a brass framed model. Very nice, but also ridiculous.

The flour I sifted out of the 100 micron screen is super light and almost white. The bread I've made with it looks looks closer to a 20%WW and has a very wheaty flavor.



SE GP2-1100 Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/100" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BP2I77U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_-V4HybDNMSWME




I tried to document the process
https://imgur.com/gallery/nqAfF

>https://www.amazon.com/SE-GP2-5-SET-Patented-Stackable/dp/B00C7YCQIQ/ref=sr\_1\_3?keywords=classifier&qid=1558736680&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Would the 1/4th be the best for sifting?

First thing I did was locate some local clubs that would give me access to some workable claims. Second thing I did was order a pan, classifier, snuffer bottle and 1-dram glass vials from Amazon. To save you some trouble, this is the only snuffer that I have found that doesn't leak my gold into the threads.... nothing worse then opening your snuffer to fill with water and notice gold on the threads, your fingers, and the outside of the tube! Gear in hand, I put dirt from my driveway in the pan and took some lead bee bee's (bird shot) out of a shotgun shell and mixed them in the dirt; know how many bee bee's you put in, and find them. Do it a lot. Then I purchased some 'pay dirt' off Amazon and practiced with that; if you can pan lead bee bee's, you can pan gold. After that, I joined a couple clubs and went onto some claims.

Pro Tip; Buy a cement mixing tub to use as a basin to pan in (for home panning). This is just an example, but go get one from Lowes for about $5 I sink a spare pan under the water I put into the tub, and try to let my tailings drop into that 'catch pan.' When I think I found all my gold, I pull my catch pan and pan that. When you stop finding gold in the catch pan then you're as ready as you'll ever be.

Have fun!

Some people just don't enjoy gridding, and you can tell someone where you have detected, but it will never be as clear in their mind as it is in yours, because they did not see it being done.

If you detect slow and thoroughly, you may want to get an etrac someday, or try that 4 inch BH nuggetcoil. If you go back over the same area with a smaller coil you will find more, unless it is trash free.

>I can't find straight up gardening soil that isn't questionable in quality (like miracle gro).

If you're talking about the compactness of the soil or sticks in it, then something like this can be used to screen out any objects from the garden soil. Or are you talking nutrient-wise? In which case add in worm castings.

I got a set of Stackable Sifting Pans that gold miners use. I like them because they fit over a 5 gallon bucket that can turn into storage until I need the material.

Edit to add: If I was going to get them again I would only get the 1/4", 1/8".

I use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/SE-GP2-5-SET-Patented-Stackable/dp/B00C7YCQIQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=classifier&qid=1558736680&s=gateway&sr=8-3


Fits right over a 5 gallon bucket. Best used with a tool to push the castings through, as opposed to sifting by shaking.

I broke two small hand shovels before I upgraded to these two items:

https://www.amazon.com/Garrett-Edge-Digger-Sheath-Mount/dp/B009OY65NE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481305125&sr=8-1&keywords=garrett+shovel

https://www.amazon.com/Lesche-1V-WWMFG-32-SER-Handle-Detecting-Serrated/dp/B006AEBI6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481305140&sr=8-1&keywords=metal+detector+shovel

They make digging targets in any ground conditions much easier. Just be careful with the large shovel when you're digging around buried pipes or cables. Its so sharp it will cut through most things without you even knowing.

Here's the one I bought:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AEBI6K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's small and lightweight but cuts through the dirt like a hot knife through butter! ☺

Its called dredging.

Something like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Dredge-Gold-Mining-Equipment/dp/B00JGJ6XI4

SE GP2-130 Patented Stackable 13-1/4" Sifting Pan, Mesh Size 1/30" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BP3NRZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GKN4yb4SCFS1F

Has anyone tried something like these to sort brass and SS media in one step?

Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008B0TJAI

I empty both HF tumblers into this pan, spray it down with a faucet sprayer, and then sift out the brass and move it to a towel. Once all brass is towel'd, I tie it up and give it a good shake, and move the brass to a food dehydrator for 2 hours or so. It's ready to resize and load then.

I don't do anything with the pins except pick them up with a magnet tool (magnet + solo cup), and plop them into the drums. I don't bother drying the pins.

The metal screen from below, or a beach comber scoop from metal detecting in the water.

https://www.amazon.com/Garrett-gar1600970-Metal-Sand-Scoop/dp/B000H85WSA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B0T5Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fits on top of a five gallon bucket. I just have a small tumbler so I don't have to use it for a whole lot. It's probably not ideal if you have a bigger pile but I've seen a few bigger DIY versions on YouTube that do basically the same thing.

If you’re still dealing with the knee injury you can get a sand scoop on a stick.

Something like this maybe. (I don’t have one, just what popped up on amazon)

I bought this and when I sift, most everything goes through, including these rather large egg shells from my first attempt at composting.

Should I have gotten a smaller size? Or does anyone have any advice to make it more usable?

The ones I bought

Right here for $13.

I have this, it’s a beast.

Lesche 1V_WWMFG-32-SER T- Handle Heavy Duty Metal Detecting Shovel with Serrated Blade https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006AEBI6K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NxZMAbE21CDPZ

I guess I answered my own question. Check out the deteknix xpointer diver. Neon green and submersible to 100'.

Deteknix Diver Green Waterproof Pinpointer Detector w/ Li-ion Battery

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DWIRP3Q/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_QucoxbJ3TWWR0

I got THIS ONE a while back and put a $10 Home Depot wooden handle in it and it’s served me will.

Maybe this?
www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9UPTDM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1EY7YF4QAUSC2&coliid=IKZGSRCLI86S1

Buy it off Amazon and have it shipped directly to the hotel- it looks cheap enough to just leave it there when you are done.

Do you mean to say you shouldn't remove rocks from landscaping, or that it's just a pain in the ass? I usually use a rack, but I should probably just go and buy a sifter.