Making A Drag Coil From Scratch

[phrunt]

Won't polycarbonate be really noisy compared to the lino? What about some flat thin rubber matting? 

Drain Mats - NZ Rubber and Foam

 

[jasong]

Good rubber sheet is what I'd try too, unless more rigidity is desired. Rubber sheet is what we used for abrasion resistance in the oilfield on gravels. Industrial hose places sell rubber sheet here in various thicknesses in most towns, dunno if they do over there or not. 

[Northeast]

Yes, conveyor belt was my original plan but I have leaned towards polycarbonate as it is lighter, I think it will be more hard wearing and it will glide much better over rocks whereas as something rubber might bite in a bit.  As I am dragging it myself I need it to have the least resistance and weight possible. 

It is noisy but I can hear the signals fine with my ear buds in.  I suppose it is worth remembering that drag coils are normally used behind a 4x4 motorbike or side-by-side that also provides extra noise and they can still hear the signals 👍

[Aureous]

9 hours ago, Northeast said:

Yes, conveyor belt was my original plan but I have leaned towards polycarbonate

Polycarb is still a plastic and may elicit a static charge from friction with soil and rocks, especially quartz. But it might not in your case, trial and error I suppose. 🤔

[Northeast]

1 hour ago, Aureous said:

Polycarb is still a plastic and may elicit a static charge from friction with soil and rocks,

Oh...had no idea re: that being a possible issue  😳

Thanks for the heads-up and yes, will just trial it and see.  

If it is an issue will it present as EMI?  

[geof_junk]

I think adding 2 narrow rails to the polycarbonate might allow easier for dragging your skid pan with only a slight lose of height.

[Aureous]

2 hours ago, Northeast said:

Oh...had no idea re: that being a possible issue  😳

Thanks for the heads-up and yes, will just trial it and see.  

If it is an issue will it present as EMI?  

Yes, loud, sharp erratic pings as it discharges. Ya dont wanna touch any statically charged plastic either, electric shock will occur. Maybe a trailing discharge wire will help...

[Chet]

I found some good user information at the website below. The Double D mode is the proper mode.

https://www.fortbedfordmetaldetectors.com/coiltek-drag-coil-goldhunting-anti-interference

 

[Johnno481]

This is the best stuff to use for the skid plate; "high or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene" , google it. You would still be better off though, using a 30 x 7 Patch Finder coil which "will give you a 10' swing coverage and you can walk at full pace.