What’s Actually Happening Under Your Metal Detector? (And How to Find More Stuff) So you're out there swinging a metal detector like a treasure-hunting Jedi, but have you ever asked: What’s this thing really doing? Like, how does it know there's a rusty nail down there? Or a coin? Or your future retirement in gold bars? Let’s break it down—no science degree required. The Coil: Your Detector’s Superpower At the bottom of your detector is the coil—that big circle thing you wave around like you’re casting spells. But it’s not magic. It’s actually science. Here’s the basic deal: The coil sends out invisible magnetic energy into the ground. When this energy hits metal, it causes something called “eddy currents” in the object (fancy term for tiny electric swirls). Those eddy currents push back with their own magnetic vibes. Your detector senses that “pushback” and goes “BEEP!” That’s it. That’s the moment you start digging like a pirate who’s found a clue. Beep...

If you’ve been swinging the Minelab Equinox long enough, chances are your coil ears may eventually crack or break — and, let’s be honest, it usually happens after the warranty runs out . Don’t panic — this blog post walks you through how I repaired my 11" Equinox coil ears using Plastic Bonder JB Weld , a strong two-part epoxy. It’s a simple, inexpensive fix — and I’ve included photos for each step (which you’ll find below). What You’ll Need: Plastic Bonder JB Weld (2-part epoxy for plastic) Toothpick or small stick (for mixing and applying) Cardboard (for coil ear spacing and mixing) Rubbing alcohol (for cleaning) Paper towel or cloth Optional: painter’s tape or clamp Gloves (recommended) Step 1: Clean the Area Thoroughly Before doing any repairs, clean around the broken ear with rubbing alcohol to remove dirt, oils, and dust. Let it dry completely. Step 2: Mix the Plastic Bonder JB Weld Squeeze equal parts of the resin and hardener onto a piece of ca...

  WARNING!!! If you don't like crude photos don't read on!  "Dude… I Don’t Think This Is Treasure." Okay, so picture this: It’s a random Saturday, weather’s decent, and I’m out doing my thing with the metal detector in this small forest next to an old, sketchy-looking property. Like, the kind of place where you'd either find buried loot or an old toilet seat — no in between. Anyway, I’m scanning the ground, just minding my business. Birds are chirping, trees are swaying, and my detector starts going off like, BEEP-BEEP-BEEP , in that “OH MY!, something good is here” kind of way. I get hyped. Could be a coin. Maybe a ring. Maybe pirate gold. (A guy can dream, okay?) So I start digging. About six inches down… I see it. Something black. Kinda smooth. For a second I’m like, “Oh sick! Maybe it’s a bag of gold or one of those weird vintage Louis V bag or something.” Spoiler: It was not that. It was NOT that at all. Uhhh… What Is That? So I pull it out (bad choice of w...

  Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Okay, so listen. Metal detecting is actually a legit hobby. Like, real people do it. With machines. Outside. On purpose. But for some reason, people believe the most ridiculous things about it. So let’s clear some stuff up. Here are 5 metal detecting myths that need to get buried forever. (See what I did there?) Myth #1: You’re Gonna Find Treasure and Be Rich by Friday LOL okay Indiana Jones, calm down. Yes, it’s possible to find cool stuff. But like... most of the time you’re digging up bottle caps, rusty nails, or that one weird old spoon that makes you question your life choices. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if I’ve found gold yet, I could ac...

  1. Don’t Be a Dirt Goblin. Fill Your Holes. If you dig a hole and leave it like a raccoon went to town on it, you're basically telling the world you have no manners. Fill it in, pat it down, and make it look like you were never there. 2. Ask First, Dig Later. Your detector isn’t a “go anywhere” pass. Parks, private land, beaches—ask permission. It’s not jail, but trespassing might get you there. 3. If It’s Trash, Stash It. You will find garbage. It’s part of the deal. Just carry a bag and toss it in there. Be a trash hero. The world already has enough jerks. 4. Respect the OGs. If you see another detectorist, don’t be a weirdo and start scanning next to them like you’re in a metal detecting mosh pit. Give space, say hi, maybe trade stories. 5. Don’t Hunt Angry. If you’re mad, maybe skip the hunt. Swinging around a metal stick with rage isn’t fun for anyone, and your detector will probably sense your bad vibes and beep at squirrels. 6. Know Your Beeps, Bro. Every b...

After years of swinging a detector and chasing beeps in the dirt, you end up with a lot of stuff. Some of it’s exciting right away, and other things... well, they get tossed in “the bucket.” You know the one—the catch-all container for the rusted, the weird, the unidentifiable. Mine sat untouched in a crawl space for a couple of years until curiosity got the better of me. Bucket #1 So, I pulled it out, dusted it off, and started the satisfying process of bucket sorting . It’s like a time capsule of past hunts and forgotten excitement. Axe Head with a Story One of the first items I pulled out was this old axe head (photo #2). Caked in rust, but still holding its form. The shape and wear suggest it could be early to mid-20th century. What really caught my eye, though, was the faint lettering still visible on one side. It looks like it might say " AMGENT " or something similar, possibly a brand or owner's mark. I haven’t nailed it down yet—if anyone out there recognizes it...