Not a good first experience....

[Tbar]

Hello-

Just wanted to share my first experience with an MD.

I got a new minelab for christmas and took it out for a maiden voyage just after the new year. The weather here in Michigan was pretty mild at the time so I thought I would get my feet wet. My folks live on a farm that was built in the 1850s so I thought that would be a good place to start. I am new to this hobby and had a bit of trouble using the detector. After about 2 hours I had dug up an old brass bell, a clad dime, and a few bottle caps.

Across the street is another old abandoned farm where an old Victorian home once stood. So the next day I thought I would jump over there and swing the MD around. Because of the conditions...and the fact that the Minelab seems to go sooo deep, I found myself digging some deep deep holes, and got nothing but junk.(Like I said I'm still learning how to use this darn thing). I got frustrated and threw in the towel. A few days later I broke out in somekind of terrible rash...not unlike poison ivy, but worse, and was laid up from it for 2 1/2 weeks. I still don't know what it was. Whatever I dug up, it was of no value to me, i can assure you of that!

So, now the ground is all froze up, and I won't be giving it another shot until spring. It was not a fun first go around though.

Hopefully my luck improves. I have a map of the area from 1875, and there looks like alot of good sites, including an old horse track a school and the 2 houses I spoke of...all within walking distance of my house.

Cheers

 

[Ronin9868]

Man that just sucks... Don't give up im sure it was just a fluke. Ill be thinking of this post next time I dig a signal ( In fear)

 

[Kas]

Sucks about the rash, but an old brass bell? I'll take it.

Yea, it's cold now, but you can dig up the info and read about your MD and learn stuff before the next trip.

Practice makes perfect. Keep at it.

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Hey, dont sweat it. I found a brass bell in my first outing as well. That was enough to get me hooked. Besides, you did better than me this week!

Poison ivy is a problem year round. I have a small breakout on my fingers right now. It is something I have learned to deal with almost constantly as a metal detector enthusiast.

Hang in there, read the manual over and over, and follow the directions on making a practice plot.

And once again, welcome to the forum!

 

[GYirga]

Bad news about the poison ivy. It is bad business and most certainly is the worst if you get into the roots even in the dead of winter. The sap never goes out of the roots. Pick up some TecNu lotion next time your shopping and if you even think you have been exposed wash with this within an hour or so. I used to do the bleach wash too until one time I broke out worse than ever. When I finally went to the doctor he said the bleach opened my pores because of the heat and allowed it to get in my system easier. At that point it broke out all over me here and there in places I know did not get direct exposure. He also recommended the TecNu and to use COLD WATER when washing up with it.

Never give up it will get better with less frustration.