Disappointed and discouraged~Advice wanted for newbie

[sniffer]

I've hunted a base before, try to find out where the families lived on base and concentrate searching there. most of the rest of the base won't have much on it, like was already said.
if it's not made by mother nature, chances are real good it's already been picked up and never had a chance to get buried

 

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[LM]

I am really disappointed because I hoped I would be finding buttons, dog tags, M-1 shell casings, an occasional jeep part, and some older coinage from the 40's and 50's.

This is your problem, right here. Don't worry- preconceived notions are standard for new metal detectorists. Matter of fact, stoking such unrealistic expectations the basis for most all MD marketing material. Unfortunately, this is why there are so many used metal detectors for sale on Craigslist, ebay, etc.

The progression goes something like this.

An adventurous soul gets the idea that having a metal detector would be fun.
Big dreams take root, of all the amazing things he will be finding. There's one spot in particular he's just *sure* will yield some amazing artifacts, jewelry, coins, etc... He buys the metal detector, hits that spot and spends an afternoon digging garbage with no jewelry, coins, artifacts or treasure. Dejected, he returns the next day. only to spend another afternoon digging garbage. Repeat process until he throws his arms up in the air and gives up.

Metal detector goes in the closet, to be sold on ebay or craigslist a year later when he realizes that Metal Detecting isn't for him.

Reorient your expectations.

 

[trainer]

Do what I did quit now, then when you hit your 60's, you might try it out again when you have all the time in the world
LEARN THE MACHINE PATIENCE WHOA DOGGY

 

[clovis97]

Thank you so much for the continued replies.

Good news.

I had lunch with my best friend that used to work as the assistant director of the park. I asked him a million questions today, since he knows so much about the area. "Jump in the truck, and we'll drive down there. I'll show you around" he said.

He took me on a whirlwind tour of the base. "The old tennis courts stood there, and this area was the officer's barracks. Now, over there, you see where the big lot is? That is where the coal yard was. Directly across is where the motor pool was parked" he said.

"You mean that big grass field right there? That used to be a gravel parking lot?" I asked.

"A guy would be stupid to try to metal detect that field. When I worked at the park we found that lot was at least 12 inches of compacted gravel" he responded, as he laughed. "You'd hit stone at an inch or two, and need a back hoe to dig it."

I didn't say anything at first, but then added "It would be stupid to try sumpin' like that" in my best confident voice. I raced to change the subject.

"Anything on this side of the base...just forget detecting it. It was all motor pool, parking lots, and warehouses. You haven't wasted your time over here have you?" he asked.

I acted as if I hadn't heard him.



We spent about an hour and a half driving around, and he pointed out some sites that he thought might be prime areas. I saw parts of that old base today that I've never seen before. He even located a pretty cool historic place that I am excited about hitting, maybe this weekend!

I should add that it doesn't look or feel as massive now. I've got a mental list of the areas I'll be detecting.

If anyone else has words of wisdom or advice, I'd still love to hear it!!!!

 

[nova]

This is the NORM for all NEWBIES. I was just like you 15 years ago.

 

[curbdiggercarl57]

BTW, I am also near the point of banishing myself from the "Today's Finds" forum....it is just too disappointing and frustrating to see all of those great finds when I keep digging nails and bottle caps!!!!!

I think I had been detecting over a year before I found my first Wheatie.
Then, it took awhile before I dug my first silver, (a Rosie).
But then, slowly, and with much patience, you will become one with the machine.
And even then, you'll have many fruitless days and weeks.

Zen baby, Zen.

Carl

 

[soniya]

The Ace 250 is a very good beginners machine, however, if you are having trouble in that area and want to keep trying there, try this setup. Set discrimination to eliminate nails/iron. Does not mean that big, old iron won't fool it but it will eliminate a lot of the smaller stuff. Reduce sensitivity to 2 or 3 bars. If the ground is super hard you won't want to be digging huge holes anyways so the loss of depth won't be a big deal. I would also try to find areas that have not been filled in recently.

That area sounds pretty tough for a beginner. Overall, I would recommend an easier place for starting out so you can get used to the various signals without the iron problem being so prevalent. Might try your garden variety city park to begin with. Best of luck to you!

i think this is the best advice for you..........