Significant Junk.

[lesjcbs]

Hello everyone:

Call me Les.

For many years now, I have owned metal detectors. Right now I own four. All my life I have heard about dowsing but I wasn't really familiar with it from personal experience. In fact, I was somewhat of a skeptic about it.

A couple of years ago I was talking with my Rancher Cousin in southern Utah. He told me he had dowsed for water for his ranch. He told the driller where to drill and that they would hit water at about 70 feet. They hit moisture at 70’ and full flowing water at 90’. That was almost 20 years ago and that well is still flowing water today.

He explained it with such conviction and certainty that I became curious about dowsing. So I bought a couple of brass rods from the hardware store and made some dowsing rods. After all, the water tasted good too and I needed to find out for myself.

To my utmost astonishment and surprise, when my rods crossed, I found a metal target in the ground. I continued dowsing and found all kinds of things. Most were trash items with a few coins along the way. However, the undeniable change dowsing brought was the speed to an unseen target. Using only my metal detector, in most cases it would have taken and extremely long time to finally get the coil over the target, if indeed I happen to do that.

I have dowsed over 300 times now and have had phenomenal success in finding targets.

I first dowse to a target then when my rods cross, I pinpoint it with my metal detector. What I am saying is you really should try it for yourself to see how it works for you. Like myself, it could get you to targets much faster than trying to overlap a detector coil over a large area so as not to miss anything. Dowsing is simply another tool you can use.

Now, there are skeptics who will challenge you along the way and that's OK. Just remember, you would be doing it for yourself and no one else.

Below is a picture of my latest find that I found in my back yard. It's a 27” L X ½” D piece of scrap main power electrical line. It was about 45’ from where I started dowsing and about 1” deep in the ground. This find, being aluminum, in and of itself is not worth much, but like all other finds while dowsing, it is very significant in that it was found while I was dowsing.

I will be posting other finds as time goes on.

 

[g-olden years]

Our Maine Coon cat Sapphire is a water dowser! She will arrive instantly to anywhere in the house we have put a fresh glass of water. Never fails. We've made jokes about renting her out to dowsers who could hold her out in front of them if only she would stiffen up her two back legs! Haven't experimented with her to see whether she can detect metal or sapphires though. lol Andi

 

[relic lover]

Never tried it, but, I say it's baloney Could be your nerves, spasms, etc. moving the rods. Due to the sheer amount of 'stuff' in the ground, virtually anywhere you dig is gonna have something - be it a coin, junk or whatever So, that explains the finds. Think about this...if a dowsing rod GENUINELY worked, why does it not point to the exact location of the buried item instead of just the general area? Kinda like all those 'psychics' that speak in generalities like; "you've lost someone close to you recently", "I see you're unhappy with something in your life" If they really had the gift, they'd speak specifics, not general, vague nothings...like the dowsing rods

If YOU think it works however & it makes you happy, more power to you. But, this fish aint buying it

The rods themselves have nothing to do with it. Yes it is your muscles/nerves that make them cross it is your mind's eye that is the tool in this process. The rods or pendulum are just the indicator. You either have the gift or you don't. Science can not explain everything. Case in point the THEORY of evolution, science tells us that we and everything else evolved from some single cell organism (which formed by chance in the ocean) and evolved by macro mutations (small changes) into the complex beings we are today. Lets forget that 99% of all mutations are detrimental and just concentrate on the ones that help. How did this amoeba slowly over many thousands of years evolve eyes to see light that it had no way of knowing existed? A single cell org. has the equivalent complexity as a 747 jet and the chances of one forming by chance are about the same as a tornado blowing through a scrapyard and assembling a working plane. Oh and by the way this plane reproduces it's self!SCIENCE explains our existence this way. Compared to THAT dowsing seems easy to believe. You could take the best scientists in the world with unlimited money and resources and tell them to let us know when they can do one simple thing. Make an acorn from scratch.

 

[jimmatt_43]

Hi Les,
Does it work? Doesn't it work?Guess it depends on who you ask.There are a lot of things that can't be explained away in this world.Seen and experienced a couple of oddities myself growing up in the hills and back woods of Wisconsin.
In the end it's my opinion that it works for the belivers and not the skeptics.
I would be willing to try it.Worst thing that can happen is you don't find anything.
Cool topic.
Jim

 

[lesjcbs]

Folks: Sorry for not having been here for a while.

The question that rages on and on is how dowsing works? I for one don't know how it works, I just know that it does. I do however, subscribe to the theory that the rods are nothing more than simple instruments in my hands, and nothing more. In and off themselves, they have no power. My mind sends movement signal to my hands which move to make the rods cross. The ideomotor as it's called.

I guess it might be like this question. Metal Detectors run off batteries so what powers dowsing rods, if they are powered at all? Well, not knowing about electronics, I heard that crystal radios pick up signals without batteries. Is that true? I mean I don't know. I am one who stresses out just going to the light switch on the wall to turn the lights on. If a crystal radio without batteries can pick up radio signals from way out there, just maybe our minds can do that and much more, like make dowsing L-rods in our hand cross over each other when near a target. It's said our brain is a marvelous organ.

Here is a picture of three pieces of trash, junk, litter, or call them what you will. In and of themselves, they are worthless, of no value. However, due to the fact I found them while dowsing makes them extremely valuable. Enjoy the thought and picture.

 

[Ron P]

Hummmm

 

[kenley]

Ron P. Did my mother in law give you permission to use her portrait?

 

[fibberjibber]

Interesting topic. Dont know that it belongs here, but I have to add a thought.
Disclaimer: I have never tried dousing.
Knowing what I do about magnetism and the earth, I believe it can work. However, the size of the target will have to be either large, close to the surface, or putting off a strong energy field for whatever reason. I can see how some metallic items could be found with dousing but are they the only targets or even the kind of targets you WANT to find? I can use my 1980s metal detector in my backyard and match it against my new one and the results are extremely varied. Dousing is a novel technique at best that does not have an efficient application in treasure hunting IMHO. I would much rather listen to pings or read a digital monitor to give me an idea of what is in the ground rather than just digging. Would I trust dousing over the MD the utilities guy uses in my front yard to mark the lines before I dig? Nope. Try taking the dousing rods to a tot lot and see how often it crosses there with all the pop tops, etc. That should give you an idea of how effective it is. How do you know your rods are crossing over a coin and not some water source 70 feet down I guess you find out by digging.
But I will say that the argument that was made earlier about why this technique hasnt gone away after so many generations using it if it didnt work is bunk. Downtown there is a lady who reads tarot cards. That technique hasnt gone away for generations.

 

[Roland58]

Folks: Sorry for not having been here for a while.

The question that rages on and on is how dowsing works? I for one don't know how it works, I just know that it does. I do however, subscribe to the theory that the rods are nothing more than simple instruments in my hands. My mind sends movement signal to my hands which move to make the rods cross. The ideomotor (maybe that should be "idiotmotor" ) as it's called.

I guess it might be like this question. Metal Detectors run off batteries so what powers dowsing rods, if they are powered at all? (dowsing rods are powered by the operator's muscle movement) Well, not knowing about electronics, I heard that crystal radios pick up signals without batteries. Is that true? (Yes, crystal radios will pick up strong enough radio signals, which serve as thier "power." In addition to a strong RF <Radio Frequency> signal, the crystal radio also needs a significant antenna and selectivity is limited to the single tuned circuit. Additionally, these can only be heard using earphones unless an amplifier [requiring more power than the RF signal can provide] is used) I mean I don't know. I am one who stresses out just going to the light switch on the wall to turn the lights on. (You must need a valium to operate your tv remote!) If a crystal radio without batteries can pick up radio signals from way out there, just maybe our minds can do that and much more, like make dowsing L-rods in our hand cross over each other when near a target. It's said our brain is a marvelous organ. (I agree and a lack of understanding or explanation puts it in high gear )

Here is a picture of three pieces of trash, junk, litter, or call them what you will. In and of themselves, they are worthless, of no value. However, due to the fact I found them while dowsing makes them extremely valuable. Enjoy the thought and picture.
(I would have to see repeatable proof of this. I could dig most anywhere in my yard and come up with some sort of metal, but, it would not improve its' value because I did so, and, if I dig deep enough, I would probably hit water [or oil, I'm in Texas ]. Note: I am not ridiculing and this should not be construed as demeaning in any way.)

 

[Discrimination Dave]

　Good Grief!
My oldest brother was retired from Alltel (telephone company). He died of cancer about five years ago so I'll speak for him here.
The last fifteen years of his career his was a cable locator. When other utility companies or builders had to do any digging they would have to locate all the buried cable before digging. that was my brothers job. He located cable for fifteen years by dousing only. He would use those cable marker flags but he would clip off about seven inches off each end. If it hadn't worked (for him) I'm sure he would have lost his job long before he retired. He never questioned it. Honest to God truth.
I think the most interesting thing I've learned in this post is the hostility of the doubters. Says something about human nature.
Count me a believer.
Oh Kenley, I'm an open minded believer, a liberal and a drunk. honest. At least that theory is blown out of the water.

 

[muleskinner]

I don't use dowsing for my metaldetecting, but I do use it for finding buried conduits and other things. Such as buried plastic drains in my yard,and more.
I'm a Christian guy who is an electrician. It's something I use frequently, and always will. Trust me, there is a scientific reason it works.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Bottom line is dowsing rods DO work, plumbers use them all the time to find water lines. One of my very good friends owns a Plumbing Company (Expert Plumbing) and regularly uses dowsing rods to find water/water lines. You can pick them up at any Plumbing supply warehouse.....Now as far as finding metal and relics....that's another thing, never tried it for that.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Hummmm

LMAO @ Ron P

 

[Roland58]

Hey! I just noticed there is a whole seperate forum for "dowsing" or "dousing" or whatever you call using "L" rods with which to find things.........maybe this should move to there, ya think?

Just another FYI, I, too, retired from the phone factory (SBC, Inc. / AT&T) spending most of my time in the cable repair division. I did a LOT of locating, but, we always used a transmitter connected to the cable to be located and inductive receiver to find a buried cable. With so many utilities, i.e. water, electricity, cable tv, phone, fiber optics, etc., using the same utility easements with sometimes little spacing between or one above the other, I just don't see how anyone could locate, with enough reliable precision, by dowsing, to avoid digging accidents. With the equipment SBC used, we could locate vertically within an 18" width (usually a lot closer, but, that was the "hand dig" range) and give a very good estimate of depth. As a direct result of my experience, no offense intended toward anyone, I have to remain skeptical.

 

[BayAreaDigger]

Hey! I just noticed there is a whole seperate forum for "dowsing" or "dousing" or whatever you call using "L" rods with which to find things.........maybe this should move to there, ya think?

Just another FYI, I, too, retired from the phone factory (SBC, Inc. / AT&T) spending most of my time in the cable repair division. I did a LOT of locating, but, we always used a transmitter connected to the cable to be located and inductive receiver to find a buried cable. With so many utilities, i.e. water, electricity, cable tv, phone, fiber optics, etc., using the same utility easements with sometimes little spacing between or one above the other, I just don't see how anyone could locate, with enough reliable precision, by dowsing, to avoid digging accidents. With the equipment SBC used, we could locate vertically within an 18" width (usually a lot closer, but, that was the "hand dig" range) and give a very good estimate of depth. As a direct result of my experience, no offense intended toward anyone, I have to remain skeptical.

The reason you can't see how it can be done is because it can't. When enough people say something people start believing. If you believe in ghosts, and other supernatural forces then this should work without an issue.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

Hey! I just noticed there is a whole seperate forum for "dowsing" or "dousing" or whatever you call using "L" rods with which to find things.........maybe this should move to there, ya think?

Just another FYI, I, too, retired from the phone factory (SBC, Inc. / AT&T) spending most of my time in the cable repair division. I did a LOT of locating, but, we always used a transmitter connected to the cable to be located and inductive receiver to find a buried cable. With so many utilities, i.e. water, electricity, cable tv, phone, fiber optics, etc., using the same utility easements with sometimes little spacing between or one above the other, I just don't see how anyone could locate, with enough reliable precision, by dowsing, to avoid digging accidents. With the equipment SBC used, we could locate vertically within an 18" width (usually a lot closer, but, that was the "hand dig" range) and give a very good estimate of depth. As a direct result of my experience, no offense intended toward anyone, I have to remain skeptical.

Hey Roland,
I noticed you are from Texas as well.
Was most of your work done in an urban setting?
Alltel's territory was all boondocks around lake whitney and such.
No disrespect taken but construction gangs didnt usually require depth. They just marked the cable with flags.
If depth was required then obviously that would require more technology and more would be used.
Again, no disrespect but it is what it is. That's how it was done. period.

 

[Discrimination Dave]

　Good Grief!
My oldest brother was retired from Alltel (telephone company). He died of cancer about five years ago so I'll speak for him here.
The last fifteen years of his career his was a cable locator. When other utility companies or builders had to do any digging they would have to locate all the buried cable before digging. that was my brothers job. He located cable for fifteen years by dousing only. He would use those cable marker flags but he would clip off about seven inches off each end. If it hadn't worked (for him) I'm sure he would have lost his job long before he retired. He never questioned it. Honest to God truth.
I think the most interesting thing I've learned in this post is the hostility of the doubters. Says something about human nature.
Count me a believer.
Oh Kenley, I'm an open minded believer, a liberal and a drunk. honest. At least that theory is blown out of the water.

Take if from someone who is certified to locate underground utilities... you will never win an insurance claim, or a court case when a two-million dollar fiber-optic line is destroyed because a dowser marked it improperly.

Dowsing is not used locate to underground utilities. Period.

You're calling me a liar?
You're just a grumpy old prude.
I know it WAS.
and your opinion means beans to me grampa

 

[NGE]

A few years ago I was watching the local (young) water dept. crew digging many holes with a backhoe trying to find a hole in the underground watermain in my neighbor's front yard. They could see the water coming up out of the grass, but when they would dig down to the main, it was not where the break was. Then I noticed an older fellow sitting in his car about 100 feet away, he was laughing his keister off. He waited till the guys gave up after about an hour, then he sauntered over and told them that he could show them exactly where to dig (he had retired about a week before from the water dept.) He went to the company truck, moved the drivers seat forward and pulled a pair of bent coat hangers out, the young workers broke out into uproarious laughter, they called him names, told him he didn't know his butt from a water leak in the ground. Honest to God, this old man walked back and forth along where the main is located, the rods crossed and he told them to dig here, ( X marks the spot )! This was a good 20 feet away from where they were originally digging. They dug and were right on top of the break. That makes me a believer! Also, since then I have successfully used map dowsing to locate silver coin producing locations, that I never knew existed........NGE

 

[hunting deer]

Twenty years ago I was working on a job and the subject of dowsing came up. A group of us were having lunch inside the building of the people we were doing the job for. That was the first time I had heard anyone talk about dowsing. One guy gave me two wires bent in L shapes and showed me how to hold them in my hands. In front of me was 40 feet of bare concrete floor. He said a metal pipe crossed the floor at a location known only to him. I walked forward and actually felt the wires cross at a certain spot. I walked back and forth and they would always cross at the same spot. He said the pipe was underneath that spot. I became a believer on that day. When the wires crossed it was as if some unknown force had moved them other than myself.

 

[DougF]

I'll keep it short - most "successful" dowsing is due to the ideomotor effect. Short explanation: the dowser is subconciously using visual clues or other evidence to locate the object, and he is making the rods move. He is not conscious of this, so it seems as if the rods are moving on their own. Because this operates on a subconscious level, the dowser really believes it works, and it does, but not due to any unknown force.

There is a one million dollar prize for anyone who can successfully demonstrate actual dowsing. See www.randi.org
The demonstration has to be done under scientific procedures, but you can design the demonstration yourself, as long as the organization approves the design. No one has yet been able to do it. The demonstration has to be designed to eliminate any possible ideomotor effect.

 

[10claw]

ronp, thanks for posting tinpans picture.