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I made a trip up to Tahoe for a little wading with the Equinox. No special finds to report, just coins and trash. However, I was again reminded about how hot Equinox is on low conductors. Not that it is unique in this respect, just a fact. In saltwater you automatically get rid of the tiniest targets because they get tuned out with the salt. In freshwater though it is as tiny as you want to chase. I am in general agreement with those that think chasing the tiny stuff is a bit of a time waster. It's usually tiny aluminum stuff, especially when you consider that heavy stuff will sink but aluminum likes to stay near surface. The real problem however is not the quantity of this stuff, but the difficulty in recovering it. Usually I think a person is better off continuing to look for larger, heavier rings, one of which weighs more than a handful of tiny stuff. That said, hunting micro jewelry intrigues me if I am in the mood. Right now if in deeper water and wading about all I can do is try and spot the item visually, then try and balance it on the front edge of my scoop where there are no holes. I have done this but it takes real care. Scoop with smaller slots in rear - Xtreme Scoop X2 So I was looking for a scoop with smaller holes up front to act as a tiny object sifter. Some have smaller holes to the rear like the one above, but the tiny item has to get past the larger holes to get to the rear. That would work but based on how I have been doing it so far I was interested in the holes being on the front edge. Turns out this is a hard ask but I did find this on eBay... I am tempted to get one to try, but these $200 scoops for something I do rarely and when I have a few scoops already is a bit much so I will think it over. And ask what you all think also! I think the best bet really is to go mask and snorkel and do the hand wave blast it out routine but the water is a bit chilly for that yet.

I don’t have one but they do have the look it will be around for you a long time . I don’t or see the need I’d have to call on it often but like so many things it’s good for it to be near when the need calls. I’d like to have another’s opinion on this shovel if you have one. I’ve seen it would have come in handy to beat off the number of kids I’ve had around me while detecting . haha Really I’ll help any young person in anyway I can if they show interest in detecting. Even to the point of giving them a detector. This may be another item I may have to come home with from that Treasure Show. Chuck

Aldi is selling a very nice digger shovel for only $8.

It's not a Lesche, but very serviceable for me.

Been using this shovel by Radius Garden called the Root Slayer and it is amazing. sharp V cut tip to cut through roots and the serrated edges it quickly digs perfect large plugs where ever I can use a full size shovel. i also love the round handle it is big and easy to grip and comfortable. Radius Garden just release this matching hand trowel that I just got this week and it has been equally great.

Looks great at a fair price.... https://xtremescoops.com/ Anyone have any surf experience with one of these?

I bought this digging tool of White’s at a Treasure Show in Temple Tx. One year ago. It just so happens that same show is this weekend. The tool had a good feeling in my hand but at first it was a little bulky but I do have big hands so I told myself it will work, The next thing I was looking at was the sheath. I know you’re asking yourself what’s the big deal about a sheath. The thing is most sheaths don’t have brads in the corners where the blade goes in . Here is where it will start to show it’s age if it don’t have the brads. The blade will start cutting away at the material the sheath is made of. You can see a brad on each side of the sheath and that alone tells you it will be around for a long time. I’d say a digging tool is no better than the sheath you carry it in. Chuck

Cat" Power

I just don't like the scoops with a longer sharp point on the digging end as they tend to rotate as you dig down. I prefer the more rounded tip. Now if I could just find a scoop with absolutely NO HOLES?? My lower back doesn't like gold digging in the creek when I am bent over doing it or throwing rocks. Severe lower back pain afterwards. Any suggestions? If I had me a beach scoop with no holes and a kick thing in back, I could dig standing straight up I think and just lift the scoop up to my highbanker or sluice and maybe wear a lower back support thing. as well. The joys of being over 60 and stuck at an office desk job all week. Most of my running around at work stopped after our mainframe computer was junked. Network is nice but no legwork nowadays. -Tom

So i found a guy who makes custom metal detecting pouches, its called jolly roger leather works, his name is ken and he started making pouches just this january. He has really great pouches i have ordered one and have spoke to ken a few times now and talk about great service, unbelievable. I am not affiliated with him i just happened across the website and the day after i found him he happened to be on the beyond sight and sound podcast. I just wanted to put this out there if you are like me and just really want something nice and customizable and something to last a very long time you should really check him out. I am super excited about his pouches.

I thought I'd compile a list of things that are useful in our world, but that often make some of us say "no kidding, where did you find that?" 1. Floating buddy: This device can be easily constructed from common materials. wood, pvc, chicken wire, staples and zip ties. 2. Push in to screw on connector: allows less common push in connectors found on machines like the Land Ranger Pro to receive more common screw on coils. Can be purchased for $19.95 3. Flashlight/pinpointer holder: very handy for hunting at night in the cooler hours or mounting an underwater flashlight for underwater hunting. Easily holds a pinpointer as well. Can be purchased for around $5-$8 4. Waterproof box for Garrett Ace series: simply unmount your Ace 250-400 control box, mount this box in its place, and insert control box into the waterproof housing. Can be purchased for around $90 5. Folding shaft: relatively new device that can convert your metal detector into a fold and go. A little pricey at around $50. 6. Audio jack light/vibrator: great for the deaf or hearing impaired to be able to enjoy or remain in the hobby. Prices range from several dollars for the light and up. Price and availability of the vibrator varies. 7. Golf tees as markers: great for temporarily marking spots and questionable targets for later investigation or digs. As little as $9.95 for 120 8. Earth Magnets: grab a rope, toss it into lakes, rivers, streams etc and you're magnet fishing. Of course it will not work on non-ferrous metals, but then sometimes ferrous metals house non-ferrous items. Prices vary from $20 and up depending on pull.

Nope, I don't have a shovel - Lesche for parks, pick for prospecting. Your question would be great for a new thread. Haha, Steve...I assume the leche means you are not just doing surface work....you got to dig for the deep silver. Do you cut a plug or go for the slit, pry the cut open and then dig? fred

So I've had my AT Gold for about a month now and have not been able to use it due to weather. I took a trip to the California bay area 2 weeks ago and got turned at Donner Pass. Luckily it was only for about an hour. I spent a day in San Francisco at Alcatraz then later at Pier 39. The next day a took a drive down to Santa Cruz in hopes of the weather clearing up but all it did was rain. My days off are during the week so it sucks everyone's working when I'm off lol. Now we are expecting another storm here in the Reno area so no hopes in using it this week either. So far I have the AT Gold detector and a pin pointer and just ordered a coil cover. Does anyone have any other items that they recommend that I will need?

Gday folks and Merry Xmas to all Could anybody please tell me who the manufacturer of the Hook and Spoon red tipped crevice tool is, this would be mostly appreciated thanks

Both my big and little pick where looking a bit worse for wear lately, but they both still have nice sturdy handles on them so I decided to have a go at fixing them. To replace the big pick would probably cost me a couple of hundred bucks. My mate Steve gave me the material , a piece of car leaf spring. I used a 4½" angle grinder with a cut off disc to cut the pieces I needed, (don`t force the grinder, just let the grinder do the work and you wont tear hell out of the disc). I own a 240 volt, 15 amp inverter stick welder that I bought on ebay, ( I have no idea what the equivalent would be in the States), I fitted the new material to the the back of the pick blades, and welded them length ways only, NOT, across the blades, with low hydrogen rods. I wanted to use them for a couple of days before I told the world how clever I was, and I gotta say these new picks are great, so much easier to dig with. Much better than when they were new off the shelf. I`ve only used them 3 days so I still have to see how they stand up, but at the moment I am very happy with them. Dave

From https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product/hexscoop/ "This HexScoop is built for metal detecting beaches and sandy areas. So what makes it different from all of the other sand scoops out there? With hexagonal-shaped holes the HexScoop has an edge over traditional square-mesh construction. Each hole is laser-cut at 7/16″ – so it’s the perfect size for smaller rings and jewelry that other scoops tend to loose, but offers enough surface area to allow wet sand to fall through with a good shake. Even though with the thick-wall stainless steel construction and reinforced handles, our large and medium HexScoops are light enough to drag behind you all day. The handheld model is perfect for getting down in the sand. Each scoop is emblazoned with a laser-cut White’s logo – perfect for showing the competition who runs the beach! The HexScoop is offered in three sizes: Large* – 8″ x 4.5″ opening $129.95 Medium* – 6.75″ x 4.5″ opening $119.95 Small – Handheld $84.95 *Large and medium scoops ship without a handle. We suggest purchasing a shovel handle from a local hardware store – it will float and give you several seasons of use, even in salt. Handle opening is 1 3/8″."

Not that I dont like a good heavy duty pick, I was just tired of carrying a large pick while using the GB2 since I never really have to dig too deep while using the 6.5 inch coil. I came across an ad in a gardening magazine for the HOE•DAG. It caught my eye due to the shape and a lifetime guarantee. The handle could be an inch or two longer but I think I will like it, I can always put a new handle on in the future. I will keep everybody updated when it arrives and get some use out of it. Obviously that will not be until the desert gets a dip in the weather. Also if anybody else has used a HOEDAG let me know what you think. -Mike

What is your favorite pick? Do you like a heavy or light head? Handle length? What makes it special to you?

Talking shovels, any of you Minelab guys ever seen a shovel like this?? 28 inches long, just a baby round pointed shovel. Was given to me by a guy that had several Minelab detectors.

How to do it...

Hello everyone I'm new here to The Forum and to metal detecting. Inspired by all the Rock pics I saw at the gold show in Phoenix I decided to create my own. Take a look and see what you think. It was made from a $10 Hammer I picked up at Harbor Freight. M.

Six months ago my scoop detached unnoticed from my belt on thick bushes whilst detecting . Every time I go passed these particular diggings I drop in for a quick search with no luck . Now your thinking so what !!!! plenty of scoops out there , but no this was a special one that I loved . It was made in USA and I bought it online . I know it was made privately and was issued to stores until stock ran out . Description as follows . It had 3 initials in upper case on handle . (can't remember) The handle was flat to the scoop area which prevented pellets rolling into the usual small gap jamming pellets . Sides slightly angled not round and it had 4 riffles at toe of scoop . Nothing in Australia like this . Pretty sure this chap stopped making , hoping someone else has commenced . Any clues or comments would be appreciated . Very trivial request but just bugging me and my SDC misses it . Cheers goldrat

Love the concept !!!!!!if it works it could be lots of work out but a wild harvest!!!!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beach-rakes-Beach-trawl-thin-gold-chains-/1723648… RR