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Anyone have any suggestions on what pick is to use for detecting? I've used a few but apparently I'm too hard on them. The Fisher I have now is bent and held together with Gorilla tape. Hoping for a decent point that can be pried on at least a little bit, a good sized hoe on the other end that can move material efficiently, and a magnet (that can be added if not included). Any suggestions?

I bought a little Hobart 140 MIG welder a couple years ago and have been slowly learning to use it modifying picks I’ve bought to suite me better, one an Apex I put on a diet and added a shovel blade to plus an extra long handle I can use as a walking stick to make it easier getting around on uneven terrain. I’m getting a little better walking and just made a smaller version out of another Apex for when I’m healed up a bit more, I’m having fun learning anyway and enjoy making stuff. im sure many here enjoy watching off road videos, there a lot you can learn some of these can be really informative, one I particularly like is Matt’s off road recovery if I’ve ever thought about rock crawling I’m pretty sure I don’t want too I hate being on off camber on trails and can’t afford rolling my Jeep but lots of good information for staying out of trouble. I was watching a couple of his videos where he was road building using a claw hammer to help keep his rig from sliding off a narrow bench road and unless it’s part of the drama wondered why he doesn’t have a small prospecting pick on his rig so I thought with out asking it would be a fun project to make something custom and send it to him just to see it it made it into his YouTube channel. Honestly if he wanted one I’m sure he wold have bought or made his own but I was looking for something to do that was fun and that I’d need to really work at sending it to someone that really knows how to fabricate and weld. Digging through my old tools I found an old roofers hammer with an axe blade for splitting shingles, my starting point. Cutting that apart using the blade and half the handle socket I fashioned a pick end into the other half with a rabbit joint and welded that into the top half of my pick. Next I used a 1” pipe nipple notching it out to fit the top half cold forging the two pieces together, it’s a complex assortment of joints with enough surface area it should be pretty strong. Lastly I used part of an old pick handle short enough so as not to take up much storage space, the whole thing heavy enough to dig well but not much bigger than the claw hammer… well a little bigger. The blade is 4” across and from blade end to tip of the pick it’s 7 1/2” and from the top to the end of the handle a little over 16”. The handle is painted yellow but I cut groves into the soft paint a gave it a coat of gold metallic that I lightly sanded giving it a golden wood grain look covering everything with a crystal clear acrylic lacquer finish. I know the paint won’t last long but looks nice now. So, will it wind up on the show, probably not… like I said I don’t even know if he’d even want one but guess I did this for my own fun so thought I’d share my story.

This is a predator tools hand digger. Basically the same as a lesche. All of the supplied sheaths tear in the same spot. I know that it’s from reinserting the digger back into the sheath. The root cutting teeth are on that side of the blade. The sheath is on my belt that also holds my pouch. I keep it positioned on the right side of my back. So, I guess, when I reach behind me with my right hand to put the knife back into the sheath the teeth are cutting into the corner and tearing it. Anyone have a solution to this or better yet a source for a more durable sheath? I was thinking maybe kydex would hold up better?

The handle on my trusty old stainless steel scoop finally broke. The scoop is fine, but the handle is a custom curved 7/8" aluminum tube. I made a trip to Home Depot - nothing like that in stock. Looked at a piece on Amazon - shipping is killer on stuff 40" long. It was going to be like $50 delivered. I figured I could find something locally for less, but did not want to bother with it at the moment. I decided that I had $50 I might want to spend on a new scoop instead. Has to be stainless steel, and my new criteria is that I want to be able to bolt any straight handle on it that I want - wood, metal, fiberglass, whatever. I've looked at highly recommended scoops like the Stealth 720, but I have to admit $250 seems a bit much for a scoop to me. A bit of Googling and I saw one that looked fine, and the price was more to my liking. The $85 Scoopal Sand Scoop, U-bolts included. I like that! It is well built, looks plenty stout enough to me. I happened to have an old wood handle already in my pile of pick parts, and so I bolted it on. The scoop has been on two outings so far, and I am quite happy with it. The holes are a little smaller than my old scoop, so it gathers more gravel, but is also way easier to recover tiny stuff like .22 shell casings that slipped through the old scoop. Anyway, if you are looking for a scoop without spending the big bucks this scoop is worth a look. I have zero regrets on this purchase (edit - and still no regrets 5 years later).

I'll start with my awesome Stealth scoops and finds pouch (3 spares). I regularly oil the hardwood handles. You might have something that none of us have thought have so post away.

Couldn't think where to put this but thought it'd be cool to share and maybe a light-hearted cheer up. Picking some medicine up for my best mate with the Flu (Aussie flu medicine = bottle of OP Bundy and some coke?😆) Anyway, lady next to me had this in a bag. Was saved and weighed 300grams, now 6kg. It was as happy as Larry and thriving. So funny to see and stop for a chat about. Wombat in a bag 😆👍

Anyone ever seen one of these before? A YouTube hunter in Australia was using one at the beach.

Are there any other manufacturers out there of titanium sand scoops that are any good besides Xtreme and CKG? I know those are the go-to brands. But, quite honestly, I simply can't afford $500 for a scoop. I bought a scoop and handle set that breaks down off of Amazon that was made of stainless steel, I believe. But, Holy Cow, that thing is SUPER heavy and my shoulder goes nuclear after about an hour or so. I am turning 54 on the 14th of this month and I really want to start beach detecting with my Equinox instead of just parks and fields. So, finding a good, relatively affordable, lightweight sand scoop would make for an awesome birthday gift to myself. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I'm looking at getting a new sand scoop and I'd love some recommendations. I realize that "best" has different meanings for everyone, so here's my situation: I mostly hunt sandy salt-water beaches in the warmer months, though I'm trying to get more into river hunting for old coins/relics. I want a scoop that can handle both environments. I've used a couple of cheap aluminum scoops that bent/broke easily. As a result, I want the next scoop and handle that I buy to be rock-solid. I don't want to have to worry about buying a replacement for a long, long time. If the price is high, I'll pay it. I travel a fair amount, so a handle that break down and easily fits into a suitcase would be great. I've been looking hard at Xtreme scoops, particularly the stainless steel Surf Master Plus with the three-piece travel handle. I'm open to other suggestions if you feel there's something better out there, though. Thanks! (I realize I'm not comparing detectors here but figured this forum was the best place to post this since I'm asking for comments on specific brands/makes of scoops.)

Gerry, what Finds Pouch were you wearing at the Garrett Gold Challenge? I'm looking for something to replace my JS TDI pouch.

Joe Beechnut OBN inspired this post and I hope he puts a copy of his other post on this thread. Thanks Joe! I have several scoops but my favorite by far is a heavy duty stainless steel model with 3/8" square holes that has held up very well in rocky material. It works just fine for rings. However, the 3/8" holes are a little large for when I get into places where there are lots of smaller targets. Many times I know the targets are no good, like .22 shell casings, but for areas I will hunt a lot I hate to leave them and then find them again. I got pretty good at retrieving them on the lip of my scoop, but that only works in calm water where I can clearly see what I am doing. I decided a floating sieve would be more efficient. I used to sell mining gear and have lots of the stuff myself. Keene came up with a line of deep sieves in various sizes that I really liked, though there are now other people making them also. The stainless models range from 1/2" to 100 mesh plus an all plastic model with 3/4" to 1/4" sizes. They measure about 4" deep from rim to screen. They are 14" at the top and 11" at the bottom, designed to sit in the top of a standard 5 gallon plastic pail. Very handy items to have around for multiple uses. I went with 1/8" for chasing micro jewelry and so far have been very happy with that choice, though some may think it a little too small. It depends on the beach - 1/8" works great in finer sand locations. I found tossing stuff in a floating sieve to be so handy though I also have a 3/8" plastic sieve I can mount for coarser material. The sieve mounts handily in the middle of a standard trailer tire tube, and I just tie it to my waders and float it around behind me as I hunt. I use the same scoop but employ it more as a shovel, and have even used duct tape to close the holes off temporarily, which worked surprisingly well. Anyway, this is one option. I really liked Joe's also, since it uses dense foam for the float, so no inflation issues, plus a little wider and lower profile. If anyone else has ideas or options please post away. Floating inner tube with 1/8" screen and 3/8" alternative

With the Impulse AQ opening a new chapter on depth on Heavy and light gold ring, i am wondering which sand scoop or digging tools tester will use . I know for a fact that Le Jag(Denis) is using a beast of a scoop 3mm thick with an unbreakable shaft. I myself broke many,but with my deep holes experience i am wondering if i am adding 20% depth and 50% extra positive ID(which will make you believe it is defo Gold),which tool will be needed.........and maybe ask Zeus to give us the stamina of 2 Hercules. I am expecting to see a lot of broken tools . RR

Scoopsters, I need a 316 SS medium sized scoop for lower beach work and dry/damp sand. Cannot get a 316 here in Australia.....just crappy 304 which don't last in my experience and like to pit at the weld joints. Trying to keep weight down and size too. This scoop here https://goldpulltab.com/products/316-stainless-steel-beach-sand-scoop meets just about all my criteria and the price is very good too. Both brands are Made in the USA with 316 steel and appear well made. My question is why does an Xtreme scoop cost nearly 4 times the price. Specs looks similar, size and material, etc. My two current scoops are original Sunspot stealths....big and bold for the water but dragging on the beach is quite a workout after 6 hours. What say you Sultans of Steel......$110 v $435.............what am I missing ????

Which sand scoop should I get? Maybe preferably one with a 48" handle so as to be able to be used in the water.

I will have to find someone to repair my scoop and I’d like some advice. There are two failures as shown in the photos. I am wondering why originally there was not a seam weld across the piece in addition to the two sides? Should I repair it as was or add the extra weld?

Anyone who reads my posts recently saw a floating sifter I got for beach hunting, and thank you all for the suggestions regarding making it better. I took the advice of one of the people that responded, sent it back, and got the one I really wanted, the great but expensive Tube Tubb: This thing is big, kinda heavy (around 3 pounds), and expect to pay around $200 for it, but it's made in the USA, has no metal in it at all, and has a really thick fiber sifter with 3/8" holes. It can take a big scoop of rocks and silt and will not flip over just like the other one, but it's way more well made. It's 31" long by 16" wide. I got mine from Serious Detecting, but it's pretty much available from many metal detecting specialty companies online. My next problem was how to carry it. 😬 One thing I noticed with the other one was that because it's huge and the grab handles are thick, you have to carry it by hand or attached to a lanyard and it bangs all over the place during portage, not to mention keeping one of your hands occupied. I've seen the Hoover Boys using one but they just toss it in a boat, I have to walk to the beach from the parking lot. 😵 I searched Amazon for various backpack rigs and came upon this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08372G1VX Again it's kinda pricey ($68) but it's the only thing I could conceptualize holding this sifter. 🤔 Man was I surprised when it got here. It's a bit fiddly to adjust at first, but it's extremely well made and worth every penny, the perfect backpack carrier for the Tube Tubb. Pop the two button locked Bianchi clips and you're ready to go, you can keep the backpack unit on your back while in the water. 🥳 It has comfortable and easily adjustable shoulder straps and a cross strap as well. It also has a cushioned pad with two zipper pockets. Now with both hands free to carry my detector and scoop, I should be all set for some serious water hunting this fall at my rocky, pebbly beach. I will revisit this post when I have used this rig.

I would like to ask you what equipment you carry when you go out detecting. I'll start. Beach 90% of the time: Pouch: small monocular, multitool, a waterproof bag in case it rains, hat, sunglasses, gloves, pepper spray in case a dog attacks at night, raincoat. Small magnifying glass to read the stamps 😉 Scoop and detector Underwater: Blu3 Nemo, wetsuit, fins, goggles, tube, knife, weights, bottle with fresh water, waterproof bag with cell phone and keys. I try to carry little equipment and be light. And you, what equipment do you use? Steve, if this isn't the right place for the thread, feel free and move it. Thanks!

I got myself a cheap poly-carbonate sand scoop. It's kind of sturdy, but I already found that it doesn't work particularly well, especially in wet sand, for at least three reasons: it's not as sturdy as stainless steel and digging the gravel is not easy, the holes are not big enough for the wet sand to fall through easily (I think I need a mesh at the bottom somehow), and, for compactness, my scoop doesn't have a long handle, which makes it pretty difficult to dig quickly and often... I was hoping that somebody could point me out to a better scoop that I could either buy online (Amazon, Lazada - the latter is better as there are no import duties in Thailand) or that could inspire me to ask someone here to make for me. The ideal one would be: small in size with the mesh that allows the wet sand to fall through (but, which would also allow or the scoop to be pushed into the sand with one's foot) with a longer handle, possibly removable (but not the full length as it won't be portable enough the way I do it - motorcycling...) cheap... (I know, but one has to start somewhere...). Cheers!

Returned to a relic site that has been good so far. Had a new gadget to try, a magnetic iron rake. It worked just okay. Needs a redesign to get the faces of the magnets both parallel to and closer to the ground and it will work a lot better. I raked out just a few square yards around where I'd found an Indian Head last time I was here. There's visible iron all over the ground in this spot. So I thought moving some of it out of the way couldn't hurt. It was still missing visible nails though. Definitely needs a redo. But lo and behold... Three feet from where I found the Indian last time... I got a dimey signal, but I thought it was another Indian when I first saw it. But no, it's a Seated! 1888. That felt good! Manticore with the M9 in ATG, running wide open. Moved out from the little raked area and just started hunting. Lots of targets, mostly old ammo, harmonica reeds and such. But some cool stuff too. A broken skeleton key, a pocket watch frame. And then a cool old lock and the next target twelve inches from it, a Barber quarter. Good times! Ended up with two more coins before it got too hot and I headed for home. A 1906 Barber dime and a Chinese cash coin. Interesting decorated piece of lead. And an ancient trigger guard - no numbers or markings on it and I don't know what it might have been off of. Anxious for cooler weather! I'll re-do that rake probably tomorrow and will give it another try in a similar kind of spot. - Dave

I normally hunt areas where trowels are required. I have recently gained access to some more wooded areas and need to add a good shovel to my tool kit. It preferably won’t weigh me down, but needs to be rugged enough to cut roots without falling apart in a year or two. The next question is how do you forest hunters carry a shovel? Do you have some sort of back strap carry pouch, or do you just carry it in your free hand and try to keep it away from the coil? I would prefer to keep a free hand if possible, but also don’t want to waste a lot of time accessing a shovel for each target.

Good afternoon to my fellow detectorists I'm looking for any recommendations for sand scoops for the beach, wet and dry sand. I'm currently using a 41 inch stainless steel scoop that's durable but it gets to be fairly heavy after a few hours. I was looking at the Extreme sand scoops but the titanium is way more that I want to spend right now. Any suggestions would be appreciated

After 10 years swinging a detector I still can't find a comfortable way to carry my pick. For the last few years, I've been carrying it between the straps of the Minelab harness but when I wear loose clothing it gets caught up as I'm trying to slot it into position. I've tried the DD pick holder but don't like the pick hanging at a 45% angle as it catches on bushes when turning around. I've tried hammer holders but they're mostly metal and the clunking and rattling are annoying. I've just purchased a Molle tactical vest instead of the Minelab harness and I have noticed a few hang their pick using the grab strap on the back. I like this idea the best but I don't want dirt and crap from the pick on my vest as my area is often wet with clay. Someone was making a 3d printed holder that holds the pick on your back, not sure if they're any good. The only option that I think my work is a small leather hammer holder. There won't be any clunking and it should enable the pick to hang towards the ground. Unless someone has a method that works well for them.

Kevin Hoagland said he was going to do an article on his favorite detecting accessories and he said he was going to mention some of my products. He never told me the whole article was going to be exclusively about my accessories that he uses. 7 pages! Needless to say I am flooded with orders, which is very welcome. Thank you Kevin. You made my year. Happy 2024 to all, Doc

Way back in '21 I posted a thread about gear. I'm always looking for interesting stuff for cheap, so here is my 2023 setup. I made a major change in my relic hunting gear this year, since I started detecting I've been using various belt bags, the lighter the better for the beach, but all my finds bags were belt. What I've found is that belt bags beg other bags on the belt, and the more you put on there the higher chance your detector will snag on something from time to time. Got tired of it. Chase has been hunting with me for 3 years now, and I've always admired his finds bag, a military style drop leg pouch with pockets. He says it is no longer made so I searched extensively and found this one which is as close as I could get, and probably much cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07STZ7X34 It's only about $30. It is the only one that has Molle straps over two of the pockets, and enough D rings to make me happy anyway, with a Velcro band for morale patches. Here's my rig after adding a few more pouches: I added a flashlight pouch for my spray water bottle (Hoover Boys Foo Foo), and a couple of brushes. The pointer slips neatly into the web holding the pouch, and it doesn't snag. On the right side I added two 16oz somewhat insulated water bottle holders on the D ring, because a 32oz steel bottle is just too damn heavy and "swingy". The other side D ring is for the pointer lanyard. I have this rig strapped around my waist with the pad on my right side and the bag on my left, it has a nice elastic leg strap that doesn't really bind or allow the bag to move around. The real advantage comes from holding the detector in my right hand, there is nothing to hit or snag on. I get a full swing? I'm pretty sure this bag can be used on either side. Modifications I made to the bag were cutting out the internal waterproof cover, and cutting off the top flap and strap with a razor knife so the main compartment is a "dump pouch". I added the IR USA flag patch and the clover because I was in the military and the clover is for luck. I have a clover pin another detectorist cast and sent a few of us for Christmas last year, but that's on my beach gear. ? It has brought me a lot of luck. The flashlight pouch is also from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07G3QYJRW The two water bottle holders are these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GYIYQQA Total cost without the patches is around $60. I've paid a lot more for pouches in the past. ? Tight, light and easy to carry all day. I encourage anyone that reads this to post their own rig!

Been contemplating ordering Docs Swingy Thingy, and the Saga Swing arm, since I added the Axiom 16x14 Mono Coil for sure going to pick up the Swingy thingy and Queegle bungee attachment but was wandering if it is worth adding the Saga Swing arm also, does it give you more control of your detector and coil, and can the Swing arm be removed when I am running the 11x7 Mono and DD without to much trouble, just to remove the added weight the 16x14 throws the balance off quite a bit on the Axiom, and at my age it is a bit of a work out swinging those big coils Thanks for any replies