My first metal detecting experience since I was a kid.
cmerlo1
Posts: 7,910 ✭✭✭✭✭
My brother and I had cheapie Radio Shack metal detectors when we were kids. We actually found stuff- I found a silver quarter and a silver dime in our yard in San Antonio. I'm not sure why I stopped detecting, but did and never got back into it.
A few weeks ago, a buddy of mine called and asked if I wanted to go to a local 'antiques and collectibles' auction, because there were coins there. I went, and ended up not buying anything. He walked away with a couple of coins, and an 'as-is' White's Coinmaster 6000D metal detector for $20. When we got it back to his house, we found that someone had left batteries in it and they had completely corroded everything. Since I used to do some electronics repair in a previous job, I told him I'd fix it if I ever had time, and left it with him.
2 weeks ago, I was cleaning my pool Polaris and filter cartridge, and realized I had lost my wedding ring. I figured it had to be in the back yard somewhere, but after hours of looking I couldn't find it. Complicating things was the lawn being mowed, even though we asked the lawn guy not to mess with the back yard.
It became time to have a go at fixing the detector. After replacing the AA battery holder and cleaning the contacts on the 9V battery connector, it fired up. After futzing with it for a while, I got it to where the tone would stop if the coil was over metal. After about 20 minutes of detecting, I found the ring! Although it was in the area of the yards I thought it would be in, it wasn't where I thought it should be. I'm grateful this old detector was able to help me find it! Here is the moment, for posterity's sake:
A few weeks ago, a buddy of mine called and asked if I wanted to go to a local 'antiques and collectibles' auction, because there were coins there. I went, and ended up not buying anything. He walked away with a couple of coins, and an 'as-is' White's Coinmaster 6000D metal detector for $20. When we got it back to his house, we found that someone had left batteries in it and they had completely corroded everything. Since I used to do some electronics repair in a previous job, I told him I'd fix it if I ever had time, and left it with him.
2 weeks ago, I was cleaning my pool Polaris and filter cartridge, and realized I had lost my wedding ring. I figured it had to be in the back yard somewhere, but after hours of looking I couldn't find it. Complicating things was the lawn being mowed, even though we asked the lawn guy not to mess with the back yard.
It became time to have a go at fixing the detector. After replacing the AA battery holder and cleaning the contacts on the 9V battery connector, it fired up. After futzing with it for a while, I got it to where the tone would stop if the coil was over metal. After about 20 minutes of detecting, I found the ring! Although it was in the area of the yards I thought it would be in, it wasn't where I thought it should be. I'm grateful this old detector was able to help me find it! Here is the moment, for posterity's sake:
You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
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Comments
Now it's time to borrow the friend's detector and start hunting
<< <i>Awesome, glad you found the ring! I lost mine once while on a lake, tubing, so I know what that initial dread must have felt like.
Now it's time to borrow the friend's detector and start hunting
I still have it, and had several hits in the yard that I didn't dig because I knew they weren't the ring and I was running out of light. I'll be giving the yard a good once over this weekend and digging those- if they end up being exciting, I'll post them
<< <i>Now that's a relief! Those vintage detectors still do the job! >>
yes they most certainly do
For twenty bucks, a steal, I'd say.
a fireball bought in 1966 ...lots of batteries..Thanks for the memories.
Al