winter detecting idea. Any thoughts on this one?

[funkman]

I was talking to whitesid in chatroom and we were discussing using a torch on the frozen ground to see if it would make it easier to dig by thawing it out. Anyone ever try this crazy idea? I have one of those little propane torches that you get at Lowes or Home Depot and thought I might give it a shot, just to see if I can thaw the ground enough to get through the frozen tundra. I'll let you all know when I try it but would like to hear if anyone has tried.

Thanks.

Funkman

 

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[kenb]

It will work to a point, depends on how deep the ground is frozen, Northern tool sells a torch that hooks to a 30 lbs. propane bottle, its used for burning weeds or heating tar. Its got a big flame that covers lots of ground. That would be my choice if I were to do it, not a big expense either.

kenb

 

[erikk]

I moved to Florida.....

 

[KenPa]

Be ready to call the fire dept. when the leaves and dead grass catch fire

 

[Jason in TN]

Be ready to call the fire dept. when the leaves and dead grass catch fire

Then it will al be diggable.

 

[NorCal 6er]

I can see it now....1916d dime melted with blow torch.

HH
Joe

 

[Farmercal]

You spend more money on fuel for the torch than you would make digging. Spring isn't that far away is it? Then again, I live in Florida.....

 

[CWnut]

wouldn't be cost effective. we've built fires over water lines to thaw them and they would only melt a couple of inches into the ground

 

[Night Stalker]

​

 

[swizzle]

Why not take a mini mattox. Saw one end off so that you have a nice spot to hit it with a hammer. A nice swing to get it started and then a three pound sledge should help you get a little deeper. I guarentee after the first couple of holes your going to start really thinking about digging the best of the best when it comes to signals. Your going to have fewer signals in the winter time with the snow cover as well so you might also want to bring a snow shovel. Other then that you could always go just to look for good signals and take some nails with a plastic (colorful) tag attached. Find a likely target that you want to check out and drive a nail and then as soon as spring hits go back and start looking for all those tags again. How about starting out your spring hunting with a few hundred good targets on your first day. Kinda gives you something to look forward to doesn't it. Swizzle

 

[Ricardo_NY1]

How about just dropping some lighter fluid in a neat plug size diameter circle and dropping the match on it?............j/k. On a serious note, the ground finally froze here in NYC and it's going to be chisel and hammer time this weekend.

 

[lobo]

I would suggest wearing goggles, rocks will blow up when heated up!

 

[wainzoid]

Try hunting in the woods. The ground doesnt freeze as quick or as deep under the leaf cover. Good luck.

 

[bazinga]

Would boiling water work? I'm not sure if it could melt the ground fast enough to get the signal out before it melted over again.

Either way, I will just wait until the ground isn't frozen.

 

[JimmyT]

Do you know anybody that works on the railroad if so they could get you some fusees free or you can get them at any hardware store. These things will burn right through a water line if you hold in one place. We used them to thaw out the locks on the switches and they work well.

Jimmy T

 

[EDDE]

flares ahhhhhhhhhh

 

[NH Bob]

Not only rocks but concrete and frozen ground will pop. or should I say Blowup.
BANG

 

[Pulltab Parson]

I think it would be a little safer if you used a small pick axe and as spade shovel, granted it would be a lot of work for a pull tab

 

[MD Dog]

I live in western NY and my advice would be either a electric or pneumatic jackhammer

 

[Montana Jim]

I live in western NY and my advice would be either a electric or pneumatic jackhammer

I'm not sure about the jackhammer advice, but your avatar is about as cute as an eagle button!