1869er
Full Member
- Jan 5, 2009
- 142
- 29
- Detector(s) used
- White's MXT, Garrett Freedom 2 C.C., 1st detector was a 1970's Compass, Finished a MD Surf PI from a kit - my most recent MD.
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
I built one of those Silverdog Surf PI kits, finally got everything enclosed and after lots of tests and fixing of bugs, I took it to the beach last night. I found only clad coins, iron and bottle caps, and a gold plated pin. However one of the pennies I dug up was probably the deepest one
I've ever dug at the beach.... Compared to other detectors I owned.
It works great! It'll pick up a gold ring in the air at about 13.5".
The kit itself was fairly easy to build... There are many close up photos of the board with all the components in place around the net, just make sure all the parts are arranged correctly, and carefully soldered in place, and have a volt meter close by... However it gets more difficult building the coil and then hooking everything together in a way that works well. After a lot of reading and adjustment my Surf PI finally stable.
I still need to adjust a few things. There's only a velcro strap locking your upper arm in place and it isn't comfortable. Also the pots for volume, delay, and threshold need knobs and better seated into the PVC housing. All and all it a great clone of the White's Surf PI, and I'm really pleased with the first night testing it out in the field!
Here's a photo of how it looks now. Shaft is made out of a broom stick. Initially the coil was ringing false targets all over the place. It turned out to be to thin and flimsy, so I wrapped strips of burlap hot glued to the coil, and painted on a think coat of fiberglass resin over it. Search coil is stable now although the detector looks like it belongs in a tiki hut.
I've ever dug at the beach.... Compared to other detectors I owned.
It works great! It'll pick up a gold ring in the air at about 13.5".
The kit itself was fairly easy to build... There are many close up photos of the board with all the components in place around the net, just make sure all the parts are arranged correctly, and carefully soldered in place, and have a volt meter close by... However it gets more difficult building the coil and then hooking everything together in a way that works well. After a lot of reading and adjustment my Surf PI finally stable.
I still need to adjust a few things. There's only a velcro strap locking your upper arm in place and it isn't comfortable. Also the pots for volume, delay, and threshold need knobs and better seated into the PVC housing. All and all it a great clone of the White's Surf PI, and I'm really pleased with the first night testing it out in the field!
Here's a photo of how it looks now. Shaft is made out of a broom stick. Initially the coil was ringing false targets all over the place. It turned out to be to thin and flimsy, so I wrapped strips of burlap hot glued to the coil, and painted on a think coat of fiberglass resin over it. Search coil is stable now although the detector looks like it belongs in a tiki hut.
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