My first hour EVER Metal Detecting

[CheathamHill]

After researching, lurking, and learning on here for going on 2 years I finally "bit the bullet" and picked up my ACE 350 yesterday. I read and re-read the manual 10 times yesterday and this morning and tested a few items outside of my own...then went down to the riverbank and began my first ever 'hunt'. I live in the area where Sherman crossed the Chattahoochee River in the summer of 1864..HOWEVER any CW items that may still exist around here are masked by 4 or 5 decades of beer cans and bottle caps from being the "party central" area of Atlanta from the 1960's-80's. Right away I was confused by all the settings and discriminations and sensitivities ...like I forgot everything in the manual..so i went to 'none' (preselect mode) and tried to dig everything. The built in pinpointer is clutch b/c it really helped when I started using the trowel. Anyways I found a bunch of can slaw, a 1974 quarter, 3 bottle caps and my BIG find (haha) a shotgun shell primer from the 1940s or 1950s...so junk..but I will say this ..I have absolutely GOT THE BUG! Gotta learn the machine and the differences in all the dings and dongs and thuds and chimes...I was a bit overwhelmed today but in the hour I was hunting was a blast...even as all my neighbors looked at me like I was an idiot. Sorry for wasting yalls time..but I'm loving this...

Here's a pic of my garbage..but at least I know the machine works ...again..its from my first hour ever of MD-ing

Also can anyway point me to a thread about proper plug digging and filling? I want to be a responsible as I can (also threw away all the cans and caps I found today as well...)

 

[SeaninNH]

Welcome to the madness!

Now just wait till you find yourself watching videos of people detecting and you are actually enjoying it.

It only gets worse from here

 

[vanoldschool]

Each hunt gets better, with experience, keep researching you history, as for plugs i like to make a box around my target but dig the three out of four sides, that way it will lift up like a hinge. grab your coin out, put plug back down and a little foot stomp and your good to go!!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

"as all my neighbors looked at me like I was an idiot."


Wait till you find a sweet find!

They may call the cops

 

[goldnugget]

Congradulation on your purchase of the Garrett Ace 350. You should be able to score at the Beach also. Thanks for sharing your finds and good luck-goldnugget-Charlotte,North Carolina

 

[Deno]

All of what everybody says above is true. This is a sickness.

I have been doing it for 11 years and am still ate up with it.

Welcome to the best hobby in the world.

We all know from experience your finds will get better.

The problem is the more and better you find,

the more and better you want to find.

 

[VOL1266-X]

WARNING-metal detecting is very addictive!!! WTG, if you are finding that stuff, you'll find relics and old coins. HH.

 

[fishkiller41]

Make U a little "CHEAT-SHEET" and tape it to the top of the machine.That's what I did..

 

[colorado14ers]

this is the only bug ive ever been glad to get!!!!!!! you will love "the detecting bug" you will get some great stuff if you keep trying. welcome to the hobby!!

 

[Happy Harry]

lordy! lordy! lordy! Now look see what you have done. Done got hooked. This is so addictive. Just might as well accept it you are now in for the long haul!! Have fun and don't worry about what others think. Just have fun! HHHH

P.S. Well come to the insanity

 

[Chug And Red]

Some day you may dig a plug and see this!!! chug
Mine was just junk and My first of the year, But it makes Me want To get Out and find the real One!!! Chug

 

[J-dude]

Welcome! I just got my detector about 6 months ago and loooovvvveeeeee it!!! Just stick with it and you'll be sure to find some cool stuff.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Congrats on your metal detector and your first digs!

What's nice is when you finally dig up your first couple of rings and realize it just paid for your metal detector

Here's a few videos on plug cutting and coin popping:


Very good video. Check out the right and wrong way to cut a plug at the end-


Coin popping (I don't like doing this with metal probes because it can scratch up the coin):

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Also, go to Lowes and get one of these:

It cuts great clean plugs and will go right through roots.


Also, if you don't have a pinpointer, there are a wide selection available from KellyCo metal detectors or you can get a real cheap one from Harbor Freight tools that will get you by for about $16 bucks. this will save you a TON of time once you get your plug dug.

 

[Damon64]

...or maybe a Lesche. Great start!

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

...or maybe a Lesche. Great start!

I'm going to have to break down and try one of those. Everytime I talk about the true temp, I hear someone say get a Lesche. Must be really good.

 

[Tnmountains]

...or maybe a Lesche. Great start!

I'm going to have to break down and try one of those. Everytime I talk about the true temp, I hear someone say get a Lesche. Must be really good.

Inox, lesche same thing a good swiss victorinox bayonet rocks if you can get away with it. Congratulations on your first hunt. The items that you are digging is what you are supposed to dig. If you are not getting shotgun hulls you will be missing good targets.
Have fun is the main thing. Research can be almost as fun as hunting when it pays off. Good luck in all your hunts
HH
TnMtns

 

[spitfire55]

 

[CheathamHill]

So much thanks for all of your comments! The majority here are always quite helpful and non hesitant to answer any questions.

Sunday was the first day it seemed to stop raining since 1986 ...hopefully we'll get another rain free day soon so I can continue learning

Again, thanks for the welcome to the addiciton

 

[treasurehound]

WARNING-metal detecting is very addictive!!! WTG, if you are finding that stuff, you'll find relics and old coins. HH.

You are right Quindy. My wife said I should have married that machine. lol