what do you all use or recommend for metal detection
Myself I like something cheap and handy, DanG kids ran off with my cheapie detector. Expensive detectors like the coin hunters use have too many adjustments and are awkward to use. Some of the woodworker stores sell wand type which are handy. All are of dubious value and most of us only use them if something looks suspicious. Frank C.
we use a regular ole metal detector like the coin hunters. we bought it for our son before any thoughts of milling. it has always worked for us except when we don't use it. we found metal in trees we couldn't believe there would ever be and near 18 feet high in the log. no idea how it got there or what it was but checked it several different times and it always picks up something there
I have been using a hand held Garrett wand for 2 years now. Using Lucas blades we cannot afford hitting metal. Its been working fine.
Using a metal detector takes out all the fun. :)
I have a bounty hunter II. It seems to work well. I got it on sale $240 or so off of about $400 retail. I don't know why it was on sale or how reputable it is. I have ever found metal in logs when I've used it but found metal when I haven't used it.
John
I do not scan logs, but I have recently bought one of these; Nail Finder (http://www.amazon.com/Bounty-Hunter-S3019-HM-Handy-Finder/dp/B0029ZA5U4) for the customer to use if they wish.
I have had a Lumber Wizard for years but it had gotten cranky.
I have one of the cheap wand types. Not the best, but beats nothing. Don't use it unless I suspect metal in the log. It does work well for finding stuff I drop in the sawdust under the mill ;D
The one I have was around 200$, I would say worth it found my lost wedding ring of only 3 months in the saw dust.
And some nails in logs :)
Just recently bought a garret ace 250 to coin hunt the family farm. I had to justify the purchase, so I told the wife it was a necessity for finding hidden metal in logs. I'm sure if will pay back itself much faster with saved blades than coins!
Quote from: hunz on February 19, 2014, 12:24:19 AM
Just recently bought a garret ace 250 to coin hunt the family farm. I had to justify the purchase, so I told the wife it was a necessity for finding hidden metal in logs. I'm sure if will pay back itself much faster with saved blades than coins!
That's the one I have, Works great.
I've got Log Wizard, but seldom use it. I could use one that detected when the blade is low enough to hit a clamp, though.
Here's the way I look at it: Chance of metal in a log is about 1/20. Time to detect metal, 3 minutes (.05 hr). I would spend an average of an hour metal detecting for every time I find it. On the average, the blade is half way through it's life, so I'm paying myself $15/hr to scan for metal when I could be making big bucks running the mill.
I do like the idea of giving the customer a metal detector to use. Good way to keep him/her/the kids occupied while I'm working.
Brand new blades, first or second pass, work great for finding metal, but i guess that's not what you mean. :-X
Quote from: dboyt on February 19, 2014, 09:43:37 AM
I've got Log Wizard, but seldom use it. I could use one that detected when the blade is low enough to hit a clamp, though.
Here's the way I look at it: Chance of metal in a log is about 1/20. Time to detect metal, 3 minutes (.05 hr). I would spend an average of an hour metal detecting for every time I find it. On the average, the blade is half way through it's life, so I'm paying myself $15/hr to scan for metal when I could be making big bucks running the mill.
I do like the idea of giving the customer a metal detector to use. Good way to keep him/her/the kids occupied while I'm working.
I cut a lot of logs, not all but I check the butt logs and it takes less than 30 seconds. When you hit steel do you dig it out? Or do you keep going. 9 times out of 10 my blades are junk after I hit steel. So for me when I find steel I just made $25 . The price of a new blade. I think it takes just as long to dig the steel out before or after you find it with the blade. That's what works for me. good luck your way :)
ERC has its share of metal. Many times 3 bars indicate barbed wire, other times the strands stick out from the log. Logs that have cut off limbs partially grown over indicate yard or barnyard trees. These get metal detected. Any time we saw into metal that log and slab gets laid aside. I then go over a bunch of logs and slabs at one time and salvage what can be salvaged. Experience says nails are like mushrooms, find one and most likely find more.
We do not metal detect unless there are indicators in the log.
Absolutely great for finding missing log chains, dropped tools, nuts, etc.
Have found a great number of coins when looking for them over the years.
I use an expensive Tesoro. Have used it for over 15 years.
Not checking is when you use bad words. I check every board that comes off my mill. I use a lucas which each blade is not cheap. Ive now be sawing for over 2 years with no blade damage. Takes less than 15 seconds to check.
I just bought Garrett wand and its works great I picked it up at a pawn shop for 40 bucks it has worked great for me. Good luck
So how deep have you been able to find metal with the Garret?
Quote from: chopperdr47 on February 19, 2014, 10:11:33 PM
So how deep have you been able to find metal with the Garret?
I have the 250 big and long it will get steel 1" to 20" some time when the thing goes off the steel is on the other side of the log.
You have to check the log before you put it on the mill and away from it. If you're within 2' of the mill it will go off ;D
Quote from: Peter Drouin on February 20, 2014, 06:20:50 AM
You have to check the log before you put it on the mill and away from it. If you're within 2' of the mill it will go off ;D
It'll also pick up the metal in steel toe boots. Took me a while to figure out where all the false readings were coming from.
My garrett wand will find heavy iron/metal well over 6" deep. Nails and fencing 3-4" deep. I keep it hanging on my mill end post so I can access it for each new cut. Takes only seconds to do and works for me.
I have been kinda wanting a metal detector for finding lost stuff so after reading several of the above posts, I ordered a Garrett Ace 250 today. :)
Quote from: Magicman on February 20, 2014, 07:57:28 PM
I have been kinda wanting a metal detector for finding lost stuff so after reading several of the above posts, I ordered a Garrett Ace 250 today. :)
smiley_thumbsup :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Quote from: Magicman on February 20, 2014, 07:57:28 PM
I have been kinda wanting a metal detector for finding lost stuff so after reading several of the above posts, I ordered a Garrett Ace 250 today. :)
Give a review after you've used it please. :)
The above reviews were what sold me. Peter and Hunz were mighty convincing. ;D
I will continue to hand the customer the Bounty Hunter "Nail Finder" or the Lumber Wizard to scan logs.
Bought a new detector today, I had intensions of buying a Garrett super scanner V wand that our brother ET recommended. Their senior man Moe spent some time with me and showed me something a little different from "Treasure Products Detectors", called the vibra-tector its a small light hand held water proof and good to 100 feet under water if you have a flooding problem around the mill. Cost is $145.00 American made. It had a 4" detector coil and will pick up small stuff like nails better than a wand. The best thing is theirs no adjustment its on or off. The handle vibrates and a light will indicate any metal so if its noisy you can feel it. Other than playing with nails I haven't used it yet will give a report after I use it a wile. Frank C.
That vibra-tector reads like a very usable metal detecting option Frank. LINK (http://www.kellycodetectors.com/accessories/index.php?model=384-730&gclid=CMv42vC34LwCFRRo7Aod-EoAYQ)
MM, thanks for that link. Frank, let us know how it works for when I drop mine. Also that waterproof option is a good one. As I left my Garrett attached to the mill and it got substantially rained on. It quit working for a week but next to the wood burner it finally dried out and started working just fine. I just now need not to forget to take it indoors. When my barn is completed it wont be a problem.
Good afternoon, You want to be careful when you have a detector that you can set the discrimination, so that you don.t set it too high and then you will not find the deeper nails ---if at all. Most (not all) newer detectors are built with the idea that you do not want to find nails --when you are coin hunting. The older detectors do not have that much discrimination built in so they might be a better bet for finding nails. The wand type also might be a better bet as they are programmed to find all metals---especially steel. Have been at this metal detecting for 30 plus years and I use an old sears model from yesteryears to go over my logs ;D ;D Be sure to dead the directions and when they tell you how to set the discrimination, just do the opposite :D :D :D :D Yes I know there some set up to find steel but in general they will cost as much as the mill. Not really but they are a specialized item. I only use Whites and Fisher not that they are any better, just worked out that way------Don
Don, I understand what your saying, I have two expensive detectors but their too complicated and awkward to use. My last one was an el-cheapo but simple and worked good. This vibra-tector has no adjustments sees any metal. Its worth a try if it catches one piece of metal in the path of my 48" saw its well worth what I paid. Frank C.
Quote from: Peter Drouin on February 20, 2014, 09:03:44 PM
Quote from: Magicman on February 20, 2014, 07:57:28 PM
I have been kinda wanting a metal detector for finding lost stuff so after reading several of the above posts, I ordered a Garrett Ace 250 today. :)
This is great! Now MM, don't go getting that treasure hunting bug as well....I am finding there aren't enough hours in a day to do both! :D
smiley_thumbsup :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
I just ordered a garrett ace 350. Hope it saves me a blade or two. Looking for lost treasure is a side benefit.
Devil Dog
Nice you tube Ad and advertising ,one of the best i've seen and thats a complement. Lazerdan
The Ace 250 came today.
The owner's manual and instructional DVD made the buttons and options easy to understand. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna go out in the back yard and locate that pot of gold. ;D
Quote from: Magicman on February 24, 2014, 09:33:11 PM
The Ace 250 came today.
The owner's manual and instructional DVD made the buttons and options easy to understand. Tomorrow morning I'm gonna go out in the back yard and locate that pot of gold. ;D
smiley_thumbsup
I have a big Bounty Hunter detector that works well but was awkward I bought for $10.00. Did some modding to make it handier. Cut off the cradle that fits under your forearm and shortened the tube, its now a little over 2' with a pistol grip easy to use. My logs awaiting milling are on HD wooden horses about waste hight and handy to check. If I detect anything I will zoom in with the vibra-tector to determine size and depth. Well it sounds good anyways. Frank C.
I hate to admit it but I purchased one of the junky Harbor Freight ones. With a 25% off coupon it was less then $40.00. I removed the arm support and cut the down tube to about a foot so it fits in my toolbox. For the amount of milling I do it seems to work fine. It already has found some drywall screws in a log and saved me a blade. The only problem is it only will find small items a couple of inches down so you have to scan every couple of slices. I needed one in a hurry and that was the only one I could find locally but the way I see it if it saves 1 more blade it is paid for.
Quote from: 21incher on February 25, 2014, 07:47:08 AM
I hate to admit it but I purchased one of the junky Harbor Freight ones. With a 25% off coupon it was less then $40.00. I removed the arm support and cut the down tube to about a foot so it fits in my toolbox. For the amount of milling I do it seems to work fine. It already has found some drywall screws in a log and saved me a blade. The only problem is it only will find small items a couple of inches down so you have to scan every couple of slices. I needed one in a hurry and that was the only one I could find locally but the way I see it if it saves 1 more blade it is paid for.
I bought a HF one too. It works great for me. Most of my logs are from someone's back yard and I scan all my logs! I hate hitting metal! I have found that lowering the sensitivity helps on the mill. If off the mill, I turn it up. And for $40.00 it has already paid for itself a dozen times. But you do have to use it! Dan
It can only get better because the first thing that I found was a pull tab. ;D
The Bounty Hunter "Nail Finder" seems to be OK, but I will not know until I use the sawmill blade to find another nail to test it on. :D