To Crawl, Or Not To Crawl

[Zrod87]

Its great to hear from you guys, I will keep posting on this thread as my finds continue. Tomorrow I will be getting some better kneepads and hopefully some disposable painters suits. Anybody with experience hunting under buildings drop me some tips. I have read up on using your hand instead of a rod, I was thinking that since there is close to 3 feet clearance i might try with it shortened all the way up? Or is this gonna be tireing to try and keep enough angle?

 

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[BosnMate]

You got a good thing going. Regarding the skunk, if there is one, there is probably more. I had a skunk under the garage, and decided I needed to get rid of it due to occasonial
odors. I blocked all entrances but one, and set a live trap there. Ended up catching 22 skunks from under the building, so be careful.

 

[Zrod87]

Wow I just had a vision of being attacked by 22 skunks at once, I had no idea they would pack in that tightly. I have trapped many animals from many places, I went to set a snare (death) around the entrance and noticed not only skunk tracks but fresh fox prints. Its not against the law but I do not personally take fox as they are not a problem. I kill all coyotes on site.

 

[Zrod87]

thanks for the warning I only have a 10 round clip

 

[BosnMate]

Personally I'd try and screen the top layer, perhaps two inches, using a wheelbarrow, and sift outside, then after it's pretty much cleaned up I'd go ahead and detect for anything that might be deeper. You are under a dance hall, think drunk boys and girls, and where a couple might go seeking privacy. Coins get spilled out of pockets in situations like that.

 

[Zrod87]

I have a few more pictures of the hall for all who are interested. If anyone can tell me how old they would estimate the current dance floor to be I would appreciate that. Also upon further research I have found that the building was built in 1901, not 1906 as I had previously stated. Also the fraternal club goes back much farther, and they had once had a smaller lodge in this area before building the hall as seen today. This excites me quite a bit as prospect of untrashed/untrampled ground from nearby the old building could bring fantastic finds! BTW IF MY UNCLE CATCHES YOU SNOOPING AROUND YOU WILL BE SHOT ON SIGHT!! just kidding but he flew bombers in Vietnam and can be very unpredictable. He is also a tax lawyer so I'm not sure why he had misspelled words on his warning sings...



Here is the bar area



And here is the dancefloor

 

[Zrod87]

I think I will have to look into some sifting threads, the area where the swept the dancfloor dust and junk(younameit) through the little door has me very interested. Alcohol was always the main event at this location, and it really shows. They would often clean the hall after the party late in the night after many drinks and much dancing, and I cannot help but think they may have swept many interesting things right into this little cave!

 

[kingskid1611]

And I can only imagine what went on there before this building in 1901. And the things that have happened since. Congrats on a wonderful adventure.

 

[Zrod87]

Anyone with a link to a good sifting thread feel free to chime in.

 

[Limitool]

Anyone with a link to a good sifting thread feel free to chime in.

Don't have your link request.... but building a simple sifter isn't rocket science I believe. I suggest building a small one like maybe 18" - 24" square. Maybe use 2" x 4" stock and attach a 1/4" screen on bottom. Then attach 4 legs on each corner so the sifter is 6" off the ground. Then load the dry soil with small hand shovel tool and gently shake the sifter. I bet a good pinpointer would work great in that environment also. Also... maybe start in the furthest corner and grid your way back out toward entry door. This would help "clean" up a lot of trash and then MD over a sifted area. Wish I was closer I'd love to help!!!!!

 

[Zrod87]

Thanks brad, i would gladly take the help! I have a propointer but due to the large amount of nails and bottlecaps its an endless chase. I have some box screens, i think the old farmers used them for removing straw from the grain. They look exactly like the screen you describe.

 

[sonofdust]

Make sure you take a good respirator when you go to sifting that soil, remember it hasn't seen any moisture in the last 114 years.
Best of Luck and be safe.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

The use of a magnet may help remove some nails and bottle caps before sifting.
Use a respirator, you never know what you I'll be stirring up in the dust.

Keep us posted!

 

[Zrod87]

Thanks for the warnings guys I did a little test sift this afternoon, I wear a 3M mask I have for inside bins. Its like a diy one from the hardware store. Do you think this is sufficient? I know it keeps the dust out since around my face stays clean, but this mask would not protect you from vapors.

 

[Limitool]

The use of a magnet may help remove some nails and bottle caps before sifting.
Use a respirator, you never know what you I'll be stirring up in the dust.

Keep us posted!

GREAT IDEA using the magnet. Get a STRONG one and eliminate 90% of the B.S. Depending upon what you eat the night before the respirator might be a good idea... just saying. Brad

 

[RushinPA]

Ok here is my two cents, one, wear a mask, getting any of that into your lungs can do unwanted damage. Second, how about a shop vac with the filter removed, only the plastic cage to contain the coinage and trash, dust will be blown out. You'll probably need a long hose.

 

[Zrod87]

Hey good idea with the shop vac, that will be very dusty by the exhaust but that just might be the ticket.

 

[Higgy]

Hey Zrod, thanks for the fine story and pictorial. I absolutely think that you have a great place to hunt there. I also agree on the sifting. As far as a mask is concerned, my advice is to not go cheap. How much is your life worth? Any rodent turds are susceptible to Hanta virus, so keep yourself protected. Any decent organic-vapor half-face will screen out the dust and the cooties as well. And you don't have to break the bank. 3M 5301 Half-Face Respirator - Large H-3385 - Uline

I would go archeological-style on it. Start at one end of the crawlspace floor, and start trenching 6" deep. Pull out a 12"x12" section of dirt. Sift it. Recover any goodies. Backfill as necessary. Move at a slow but thorough pace. Get decent kneepads, and perhaps elbow pads if needed. Coveralls are a gear item. No fussing around with heavy gear and gadgets, and it won't kill your stamina. Bring a fan and a portable radio. Relax. Hydrate.

 

[Zrod87]

Thanks for the tips and the link higgy, I have been researching the best type of respirator for the job. I wear coveralls every day for work and wear an old set into this place every time. There are 3 total doors and when all open the prevalent ND wind helps to air it out. I have been working out the best way to go about the dig the most carefull way.

 

[RGINN]

Pretty cool, Zrod87. I always thought if I wanted to visit Canada, I would just go to nodak. (just kidding) Buddy of mine at work is from there originally. Unfortunately he has no interest in treasure or arrowhead hunting. However, he does claim to be an accomplished accordion player, but try as I might he won't bring it to work. That would be cool. Keep after it, and good hunting!