BuckleBoy
Gold Member
SaginawIan said:Buck - Good to hear that the thumbing method works on the 1266, I use that on the Umax.
Excellent! So you already know how it works. You'll find that you'll have greater accuracy with the 1266's disc. knob than the uMax. The 1266's disc (each one of the two) goes from 1-10 with numbers--so it makes it much easier to say that a certain type of target tunes out at "a hair above 5 1/2" for example.
SaginawIan said:So did you just memorize where the items knock out, or mark the dial somehow?
Exactly. You just memorize where they tune out. The manual gives you a good idea, and then a year or two of practice allows you more finesse.
SaginawIan said:Also, good to hear that it's somewhat impervious to a little rain - environmental cover available? Plastic baggie would probably work fine.
Light rain and mist should be fine--and a plastic baggie works well too, although you should make sure to take the baggie off as soon as you're done. (This is part of the reason I would rather leave the machine left uncovered in a light rain--since baggies can actually hold moisture in.) I'm not sure that an environmental cover was ever available for the 1266.
SaginawIan said:I think your old rusty trusty 1266 should be in a museum, buck, maybe have it mounted with all your civil war finds and put it on the wall!
Ian, I wish I could afford to do that. I will Sorely miss that machine. I saved up money when I was 12 years old from cutting yards--single dollar bills and fives at a time--and put it in a metal band-aid box until I had enough to get the 1266. That machine is special to me--for many reasons. I am truly amazed at what I've found with it during the past decade and a half--even with some years off from the hobby during undergrad study. I need to get something out of my old machine in order to get a newer 1266--because my low Clad count won't cover it (I had that saved just for the purpose of repairs). I don't like to sell finds--and over the years, I've only sold two items. One was a silver chauffer's badge from the 30's--and the offer was a good one, from a collector of chauffer's badges. The other was the crock which I found last month and restored. I have strong principles about keeping rather than selling--I feel that it keeps my priorities straight in the hobby... and I believe that once the hobby starts, it should run itself in terms of gear, except for gasoline and batteries.
Whoever buys my old Fisher off eBay will probably not realize how special it was--or what amazing finds were among the tens of thousands of targets its coil has been over.
Regards,
Buckles