UK METAL DETECTING

bluefish_121 · Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Derbyshire

I am trying to get a small collection of tools together so that I am not lugging around the contents of my garage on my shoulder.

And where can I obtain such said tools?

What works best for you?
I have seen a narrow trowel / soil saw on ebay, but I think it is way overpriced for what it is, at £9.99 + postage, so I am keeping my eyes open for one similar and cheaper.

I am also on the lookout for a good small folding shovel, OK price on ebay at £7.99 +/- plus postage.

At the moment I have a normal garden small trowel, and putty knife (Give me a break, I have just started this hobby)
So do I need more than these two tools?

malachite · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 203 Location: The Toon

i only use 1 diggin tool mate.. a cut down border spade or u cud get a draper mini spade off ebay for asround 15 inclusive of postage

DFX-MAN · Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 12 Location: scotland

I would recommend the draper mini spade as i have used one for years .

kered · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 97 Location: NW Spain

Those folding shovels are sh**e, mine bent even on the sand, first the rivets came out so i welded them in, then i was digging a hole about 15" deep in the sand and it just bent more each shovel full, i tried it on a bit of gravel/sand mix stuff near where i was parked and it just got worse without making a hole Embarassed

I now have a fixed handle job that i use in place of a small trowel as the trowel takes ages to dig with

I made a scoop/sieve out of heavy duty galvanised weldmesh, great it is for the beach wet or dry, if the sand is very gravely it might not last long, my first one started to spring the wires as i didnt put a blade at the front, the Mk2 is much better, time will tell. i'll take a pic of it and post it dead easy to make and cheep.
After 2 scoops and nothing i then use a fixed shovel and pass the contents through the mesh scoop, i have a 3meter cord on the shovel handle fixed to my belt and as i walk it leaves a trail so i can see where i've been(others can too) good for gridding.

I have a belt with pouches similar to this(got it free with some waders years ago)

it has 5 zipped pouches 3 fixed and 2 removable, 2 clips hanging down,on one goes a plastic bag for rubish and the other the cord for the shovel
I use the fixed ones for spare batteries, small torch, car keys, a set of those in ear headphones just in case, and any othe bits and bobs thast always go, the two removable pouches for the goodies.
I am looking for a strong fine mesh bag in place of the plastic one as i tends to get heavy with all the sand sticking to the rubish and the belt ends up at my knees.

Baring in mind that i have not long started myself so the above may change or be modified a bit as i find what i'm short of.
Hopefully some of the veteren lads will chip in and help us both out

rayredditch · Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 222

A mini Draper (or an ex. Mil folding spade (Entrenching tool)), and a long handled Black ADA Invader, plus a small thin potting tool.
Then a good finds belt (You can allway´s use a bum bag or a builders apron),
a pin pointer for if the finds hidden in the side wall.
Good maps.
Reserve batteries, reserve headphones, and reserve coil screws.
That´s about it Laughing

quickcuff · Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Lancashire

Yep, the mini Draper is the one to have.
Pinpoint probe, spare betteries and a joiners nail pouch.

UK Brian · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 431 Location: Wales

To carry I only have spare batteries and spare coil bolt. Then either loooong bladed stainless steel spade cut to a T shape (less resistance when pulling back on clay or those beaches that have suction but full width at top for your foot).

If on someones lawn I've a long foot assisted stainless trowel. Wife went mad when I spent £20 on it 22 years back but its never broken or bent in all that time. I do put a new Halfords bike handlebar grip on every few years.

Almost forgot. Plastic box for the good finds, though if you forget to bring something like that it will almost guarantee a good, fragile find and a plastic bag or three. One to cover the machine, as many covers are not waterproof and the others works as gloves and really keeps the hands warm when you have forgotten gloves in the winter.

EdUK · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 79 Location: Kent

Only thing I carry around with me is a black ada extended invader - I do have a draper mini as well but I nearly snapped it in the summer - it made a big creaking noise so I let up on it. I have seen those cheap folding shovels and I wasn't impressed with the build quality.

pufin · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:49 pm Post subject:

Long handled Black Ada
Finds belt with pouches,
Army style 1ltr water bottle with water therein,
Pointing trowel (if it works for Archi's it will work for us.)
Plastic cat litter spade (Used to scoope up loose soil, leaf litter etc. Used by waving contents over the coil to check for a signal and as its a riddle, you just shake it side to side to reveal your small object.) price 50p.
Plastic click top bags mixed sizes
latex rubber gloves (keeps your hands warm, dry and clean)
Black water proof marker pen (for writting on bags)
Note book
GPS unit (recording finds spot)
Mobile phone (just in case you brake a leg).

Suitable cloths for working outdoors in the middle of nowhere, so warm, waterproof. Layers are easier to control body temperate.
Good pair of boots, wellies or walking. Not steel toe capped.

Oh! almost forgot, one Metal Detector. Wink

Sounds a lot, but pockets are useful too. Laughing

malachite · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 203 Location: The Toon

zorro · Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

agree with most as regard the folding shovels, they are generally a waste of money. i bought a border spade (wilkinsons)and cut the blade to a point with a disc cutter. i made a heavy duty sand scoop and use a fishermans waistcoat (Aldi's)with several pockets to carry spare batteries, eye glass, compass, FID membership, multi-tool, plastic bags, and my trusty tin filled with cotton wool for any coins or other goodies. lastly a "bum bag" for the crap!
no designer names-no gimmicks works fine saved me a small fortune

the wigan muskateer · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 126 Location: lancashire/ wigan/

y did the same hear just a small wooden boarder spade cut down a bit,very lite and strong not only that its just the right length to drag behind you making it real hassle free , Question

always carry a spare in the car Question

the wigan muskateer · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 126 Location: lancashire/ wigan/

1715Hunter · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 130 Location: South Florida USA

Dont forget Polish , Romanian and Portuguese phrase books so you can talk to the locals?