Coin popping: what size is your tool?

[MoonTzu]

No dirty stuff now …

I use a 3/16 x 4" screwdriver to pop coins, but the other day finally successfully hit a couple coins that were too deep to pop with it. I could tap them; they were most likely coins, but I didn't have enough length to slip under an edge. I don't want to dig, so I left them. It's also occurred to me in the past that this screwdriver might be a little narrow for consistent lifting.

Anyone have any length/width recommendations for coin-popping screwdrivers?

 

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[eyemustdigtreasure]

I use a t-handled allen wrench, 17.0cm x 4.0mm
I have rounded the end, to where there is no angle left, on the hex-shaped shaft tip....
That (mostly) eliminates any scratching stuff during probing for the target.
See attached example - it can make for a good one to try (usually sold for <$5)

 

[faribo]

I use the proper brass probe which is made for this use.

 

[Rookster]

I USE the Predator#31 hand tool. Nobody beats it. Nobody. And it's made in the USA. In NJ.

 

[GA_Boy]

No dirty stuff now …

I use a 3/16 x 4" screwdriver to pop coins, but the other day finally successfully hit a couple coins that were too deep to pop with it. I could tap them; they were most likely coins, but I didn't have enough length to slip under an edge. I don't want to dig, so I left them. It's also occurred to me in the past that this screwdriver might be a little narrow for consistent lifting.

Anyone have any length/width recommendations for coin-popping screwdrivers?

If too deep for popping use a 12" hemostat--------cut a 2-3" slit above target.
Marvin
I

 

[Rookster]

To pop coins I took a brass welding rod cleaned the flux off and cut an old broom handle off drilled a hole in the end just a bit smaller than the rod drove the handle on and wala. Coil popper. Side note: Its about 12" long. Works great.

 

[RedDirtGirl]

Newbie here. I was wondering if someone could tell me how on earth you can pinpoint a target so well you can pop it out with a screwdriver! I have been detecting for about a year and I am very happy just to find the target in my plug which may be about 8 inches square. How can I get better at this? I have a new XP Deus with the 9" DD coil, so I wiggle back off of it to get an idea where it is.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

An automotive gasket scraper (rounded over on a grinder) is one of my coin popping tools for groomed lawns.

 

[firemanphob]

I would like to know about this technique also. Just don't understand how it could work.

 

[Ammoman]

I used to use a ww-2 bayonet but people always gave me strange looks when in public. So, i now use a gasket scraper. I suggest getting a pack of different size scrappers and testing each size out for the best fit.

 

[Snap on Man]

I would like to know about this technique also. Just don't understand how it could work.

There are lots of videos on this. Just google!

 

[Snap on Man]

An automotive gasket scraper (rounded over on a grinder) is one of my coin popping tools for groomed lawns.

I use a gasket scraper just like you. To me I feel less liklely to scratch something with the width of the scraper as opposed to a thin screwdriver blade.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Firemanphob,

IMHO: For any of these extraction techniques to work properly, your pin pointing must be dead-on. I pin point using the machine, then use a hand held pin pointer to see if the coin (or object) is within tool depth. If it is, I create a valley (grass looks like it was cut) with the object in the middle an pry then pop it through the separated grass. Then it is simple to push back the two pieces of grass and you were never there! With the gasket scraper you can actually dig a bit in the hole without disturbing much dirt and grass. This technique does take practice, but with time you can extract coin sized objects from the best of best lawns with little or no trace. The detectorist Dirtfishing (YouTube) demonstrates the method very well for shallow targets.

If not, I use a Raptor 31C hand digger to dig a well defined plug to remove the object. Again, making sure to leave little or no trace.

Good Luck and Happy Hunting

Doc

 

[Normsel]

You need a pinpointer

 

[MoonTzu]

Thanks Professor for the tool tip! I had to Google "automotive gasket scraper," and it looks like it'd be just the ticket if the shaft is longer than my 4" screwdriver!

RedDirtGirl and firemanphob, coin popping is a great way to retrieve shallow targets without digging. It may even be the preferred approach in public parks, where detecting is starting to become a prohibited activity, partly because of jerks who don't fill their holes but also because allegedly wildlife and dogs take advantage of the loosened soil to dig out even well-closed plugs in search of food or whatever. (That's what I've been told, anyway.) But, yeah, you need to be good at pinpointing. A pinpointer helps a lot, especially because it doesn't detect down very deep. If the pinpointer picks up a target, it's probably within reach of your popping tool. I use a 4" screwdriver; most people seem to use longer tools, which is why I asked the question. Anyways, once you have the target pinpointed, you probe with the tool until you hit the target, then gently work the tool tip to the edge of the target, push it under a bit, and lever your target up to the surface. Done right, it takes just a few seconds and leaves absolutely no trace. Most of the coins I pop are just below the surface, maybe 1-2" down, although I have popped deeper.

 

[Brruce]

Here is what I use. The popper (1" gasket scraper) is 11" long

 

[against the wind]

I dont use probes or poppers. I use a lesche digger to dig a 4 sided plug.
Get signal, pinpoint w/ coil, dig plug, retrieve target, replace plug, tamper.

 

[against the wind]

Here is what I use. The popper (1" gasket scraper) is 11" long

Welcome to the forum from Port Allegheny ,Pennsylvania

 

[HighVDI]

I dont use probes or poppers. I use a leave to dig a 4 sided plug.
Get signal, pinpoint w/ coil, dig plug, retrieve target, replace plug, tamper.

Same here. I always use my t handle Sampson and if I come along a shallow coin I want to retrieve I simply just use the point of the shovel and flip over a tiny patch. I'd never fumble around with a screwdriver or other tool to do this. Too much time.