Metal Detecting Online

Scoop magnets and how to build a water sifter

By Ronnie Hyer The Mayor and WIZARD of Magnolia Springs

Howdy everybody.. Last nite on the chat we was talking' 'bout why and how to put magnets in your scoop.
The why is because lots of times when you get that signal there may be a nail or bobby pin right next to it.
When you scoop you may just move that iron nearer to the target and that is when you lose targets.
With the magnet we catch the iron to get it out of the way.

There are more reasons but hopefully you get what I am saying'. I use 3" speaker magnets glued in to the rear wall of the scoop. I use a silicone glue sold as Goop or E6000.
I try to fill all areas around the magnet with this glue to where I don't lose targets under the magnets.
Once you use the magnets without the glue you will understand what I am talking about.
Lots of time is spent looking under the magnet for a target.
Here is a picture to show you what they look like installed.

Now while we are on a "How To".... I have posted below a picture of the water sifter I use.
I don't use it all the time but when I need it really comes in handy.
Like in really trashed out sites with lots of targets I don't even look in the scoop.
I just scoop till the target is out of the hole and throw the whole works in the sifter to wash out.
I will only look in the sifter at breaks or the end of the day to save time so I can get as many targets as I can out in a day of hunting.
Here are the materials you will need to build this sifter

1. 4 pieces of 4" pvc light weight pvc pipe 12" long ( the kind you can bend in with your hand, not the real thick hard stuff)
2. 4 - 90 degree pvc pipe elbows
3. 4 - 1" x 4" lumber 14" long
4. 1 piece 1/2" hardware cloth 14" x 17 1/2 "
5. 24 - 5/8" galvanized roofing tacks
6 1 bottle pvc pipe cement
7 1 tube Goop or E6000 silicone glue
8 12 - 6 penny galvanized nails
9. 1 strap or rope 5' long to strap to sifter so you can drag it behind you.

Adjust to suit yourself. Build a square out of the 1x4's nailing the corners with the 6 penny galvanized nails.
Build a square out of the 4 pieces of pvc pipe using the 90 degree elbows.
Put the pvc pipe square over the square you made out of the 1x4's to get a tight fit before you glue the pipe.
Glue the pipe in the elbows with pvc pipe cement.
After gluing the pipe together go over all joints with a good coat of the Goop glue.
Now use the Goop or E6000 to permanently glue the wood frame to the pipe.
Attach the 1/2" hardware cloth to the bottom of one side of the 1 x 4 wood frame with the 5/8" roofing tacks.
Paint it up and you got yourself a useful tool.