Good sifter

[litlewolf2]

I'm new to detecting. So naturally I read all I could on the hobby. I looked up some products on digging tools. I decided to try and design my own instead of spending $30+ on a sifter. This I have found works great at a beach. Just take a coffee can (I used plastic but I'm sure metal would work even better if you can cut it good). I cut 2 small V's on opposite sides of the opening so I wouldn't hurt the integrity of the canister and get a decent digging part. Then I just drilled a bunch of holes about 3/4 the size of a dime on the bottom and a few rows on the side. I used a folgers can since it has the 2 grooves for handles. This works best for shallow targets 2-3" or less. find a target scoop the area rescan if it's not there run your can over the detector hopefully it's in the can. Then take the can of sand and depending on the amount of sand in the can shake it til you have nothing but your find and rocks left. If you get a few inches of sand in the can it goes faster if you can just sift the bottom of the can in water dry sand or underwater sand. This can work with dirt to but water helps a lot so I perfer using this on a beach.

Anyone else got any good tips for digging up finds or filtering out dirt? Any time saving tips and tricks on digging up huge holes is much appreciated.

[Charlie P. (NY)]

There's a line in Mel Gibson's The Patriot where he asks his sons if they remember what he taught them. "Aim small, miss small" they reply.

Pinpoint careful, dig tight holes.

I don't do beaches (though not by choice) so I have no idea how to scoop.

I pinpoint a target, try to estimate depth, then jab the ground in about a 3" circle all around that spot and turn the plug over by lifting the trowel to about 2" deep and levering the plug out. Try it too deep and you'll either bend the trowel or the coin. With a Leache I can pop a 6" tall, narrow pyramid shaped plug that way. If you don't eyeball the coin/target, wave the plug behind the coil and, if you're real lucky, the coin/target is in the plug. If it's still in the hole that's where a handheld pinpointer can be a treasure in itself.

Sifting would not work here as the soil is either wet and sticks together, full of roots and sticks together, or hard as brick and stuck together.

[dahut]

Heres my input - you better sit down. You wont like it.
Would you try to fly across the Atlantic in a Piper Cub? Sail to Fiji in a canoe? While these things might be possible,they surely wont be accomplishe well.

G to this website: www.rtgstore.com

Once there, search and look at the selection of scoops. Then get off your wallet and buy the best purpose built tools that you can. You will never be sorry.

If you are intent on DIY sifter scoops, look into the joys of 4-6" PVC pipe and 1/2 chicken wire.

[BIG61AL]

Here is my technique for using a sand sifter on dry sand or wet sand.

1. Locate your target

2. Scoop the sand deeply and toss the contents of the sifter directly behind the hole.

3. Swing the coil over the pile of now loose sand. If target is located there a little scoop of sand should pick it up with a minimal of shaking.

4. If target is not located in loose sand repeat on left and right side of target hole.

This will usually get the target out the sand without getting tired from shaking your sifter for every scoop.

[Roln99]

Check out my post on Beach Sluicing!