sifting junky areas

[life_digger]

i found an area from the mid 1800's were people use to get baptized and its super junky full of iron so i wondered what the best settings or way to hit this area would be.....open to any suggestion,thanks
dan

[postalgriff]

If you have plenty of time, and you're sure of the spot, I think it would be a good idea to go in relic or all metal mode and dig everything. keep us posted

[vayank54]

I've dug a lot of trashy areas over the years. The way I deal with those is get out the good obvious signals first. when you get to the point you aren't getting many good signals start digging the iffy signals when those are gone dig the big iron and see what that is hiding. also if the spot is in an area you can get by doing this. Dig areas about 4x4feet and just get out all the metal. Fill that hole and start one on side and dig another and just keep doing that until you are happy you got it all. I dug that on several old trashy house site and have sdug everything from marbles and clay pipe to civil war buckles that were hiding in the iron. Yep it hard tedious work but it can pay off. I've got a big magnet I bought at Tractor Supply, Home Depot sells them too. I use that to get out a lot of the iron when I'm digging the 4x4 holes. I also carry a small mechanics magnet in one of my pouches in case I get into a civil war pit full of nails. The magnet will help get a lot of the nails out of the way for you.

[fistfulladirt]

Listen to Postalgriff, he is the master of relic digging, he's dug some great stuff! Depending on how much time you have at that site, dig the junk out of the way and free up the goodies. Or, descriminate the iron and pick around it. I always cherry pick the new site, and if I go back, I get down to the nitty gritty! ffd

[fistfulladirt]

I've dug a lot of trashy areas over the years. The way I deal with those is get out the good obvious signals first. when you get to the point you aren't getting many good signals start digging the iffy signals when those are gone dig the big iron and see what that is hiding. also if the spot is in an area you can get by doing this. Dig areas about 4x4feet and just get out all the metal. Fill that hole and start one on side and dig another and just keep doing that until you are happy you got it all. I dug that on several old trashy house site and have sdug everything from marbles and clay pipe to civil war buckles that were hiding in the iron. Yep it hard tedious work but it can pay off. I've got a big magnet I bought at Tractor Supply, Home Depot sells them too. I use that to get out a lot of the iron when I'm digging the 4x4 holes. I also carry a small mechanics magnet in one of my pouches in case I get into a civil war pit full of nails. The magnet will help get a lot of the nails out of the way for you.

I posted too soon, you are the master! Awesome technique. ffd

[vayank54]

Thanks fistfulladirt. I wouldn't say I'm the master though. Like one guy said " There was a time when we couldn't run away from a trashy house site fast enough." Those days are gone and some of my best finds have come from trashy house sites. There are a couple you can't buy a good signal in now. I go back and dig the holes. I dig them side by side so I'm sure I haven't missed an area. I also throw the dirt from a new one on top of an old one that way there is no iron under ground to mess with you. Also if there are a lot of rock I mark where I have dug with them so I know what area I have dug before and know exactly where to start when I go back. One house site alone I got a US boxplate, eagle breast plate, silver SC button, eagle I's, C's and A's a couple one piece eagle I's and an ordnance button digging the holes like that. That's just the better stuff. The iron will hide a lot of stuff. There are days you will get skunked though. If anyone gets one of the big magnets just put it on the top of ground and you might be surprised what is on it. I've seen the thing come up covered with about a quarter inch of small rocks and irony grit before. I'm sure that stuff helps hide some things too.

[postalgriff]

Thanks fistfulladirt. I wouldn't say I'm the master though. Like one guy said " There was a time when we couldn't run away from a trashy house site fast enough." Those days are gone and some of my best finds have come from trashy house sites. There are a couple you can't buy a good signal in now. I go back and dig the holes. I dig them side by side so I'm sure I haven't missed an area. I also throw the dirt from a new one on top of an old one that way there is no iron under ground to mess with you. Also if there are a lot of rock I mark where I have dug with them so I know what area I have dug before and know exactly where to start when I go back. One house site alone I got a US boxplate, eagle breast plate, silver SC button, eagle I's, C's and A's a couple one piece eagle I's and an ordnance button digging the holes like that. That's just the better stuff. The iron will hide a lot of stuff. There are days you will get skunked though. If anyone gets one of the big magnets just put it on the top of ground and you might be surprised what is on it. I've seen the thing come up covered with about a quarter inch of small rocks and irony grit before. I'm sure that stuff helps hide some things too.

yeah no doubt, vayank has some great advice here. that technique with the magnet is a great idea, have never heard or thought of that. you might get a meteorite that way too.

[Mike from MI]

If you are sure there is goodies there, just dig all the iron targets and the better ones will start to appear!

[vayank54]

Thanks guys. I've just been messin with ths stuff to long.
Mike from MI In some of the places I dig there is so much iron it is easier just to dig an area and get all the metal out that way you are sure not to miss anything plus you get nonmetalic relics too. That's why I just started completely digging small areas. There is one place I wouls love to do it. There was a military storehouse that was burnt down and you can dig a hole and come up with buttons and percussion caps plus I know where there is a big civil war trashpit at least 3 feet deep full of broken glass and iron. the landowner is really picky and won't let me dig out either area. Oh well at least he let's me detect