Neodymium affect on nearby MD?

[the.silver.standard]

I have been considering buying some small forms of the powerful 'neodymium' magnet to adhere to my shovel for metal detecting, but was wondering if these magnets are really as powerful as they are said to be, will they interfere with my detector's readings when I am holding the shovel in my left hand?

Thanks, all. Any comments or alternative suggestions would be appreciated.

[the.silver.standard]

hmmm. No responses. I may not have been specific enough... I want to apply the magnets to pick up any loose metal targets while I dig. Anyone know just how sensitive MDs are if there are nearby magnets?

[Gypsy Heart]

I am just trying to picture it....might be more trouble than its worth....wouldn't the magnets slide as the shovel is inserted or fall off when dirt meets shovel ....if you permanently affixed them,then the shovel wouldn't dig in nice clean slices......hmmmm....
I think I would just put my magnet on the shovel...hold it like you normally would and then turn your detector on and do a test run first....

[the.silver.standard]

thanks, gypsy! I went ahead and ordered them last night, and will do a 'non-attatched run' before i affix them to the shovel. You may be right about losing the ability to dig clean holes, but the thickness of each individual magnet is about that of a penny. I'll let you all know how it works when I get them in!

[Monty]

I think you didn't get many responses because most folks are like me and don't know what a neodymium magnet is! From your last post I take it they are some kind of flat magnet like steel straping perhaps? If so, they might work ok if you can figure out how to keep them on the shovel without scooting around. I put a pretty large magnet on the inside of my sand scoop and it just got in the way mostly. Monty

[TheDetectorist]

Neodymium magnets are what most people refer to as "rare earth" magnets. They are incredibly powerfull. One the size of a hockey puck exerts several thousands pounds of pull. You can lose a limb if you get in between 2 of them!

TD

[Gypsy Heart]

If thats the case....then there is going to be some problems around the detector dont you think?

[Sandman]

I have two inserted into my Stealth Scoops to catch those small pieces of iron that could fall through to catch my interest again. Sometimes those nice "gold" chains stick to them to tell me they aren't so nice after all. I keep the scoop dragging in the sand behind me away from the coil. The wood handle is warmer to the hands and doesn't effect the coil either.

On one beach I lost one of the magnets and have yet to find it again. I wonder if it scared another hunter when he swept his coil over it.

Sandman