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NORTH PITTSBURGH PAST FINDERS - METAL DETECTING TIPS |
Let NPPF Be Your Source for Metal Detecting Tips Like How to Clean Your Finds, and Guidelines
Click on each topic to expand and see all of the tips and guidelines and check back often !
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS
NPPF wants to help you love this amazing hobby of metal detecting! We want to create a library of tips for you, our Fans. This is why the NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS series was created! Take a look below and check back often to see some new helpful videos and other tips.
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO: Cheat-sheet for your Machine
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO: Cutting a Plug to Retrieve Your Target
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO: Old Structures and Stone Walkways
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO: Pinpointing With Your Machine
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO- Proper Swing
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS VIDEO: Don't Detect Dry Soil
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS: Older House Clues
This tip does not have a video, but it still is a great! When you are looking to find a property to detect, be on the lookout for buildings with stone foundation, stacked stones, wavy cement blocks, and yards with old trees. These are good indicators that the house and land are quite old.
This tip does not have a video, but it still is a great! When you are looking to find a property to detect, be on the lookout for buildings with stone foundation, stacked stones, wavy cement blocks, and yards with old trees. These are good indicators that the house and land are quite old.
NPPF FAN-TASTIC TIPS: Know Your Machine
To metal detect properly and get the most out of the hobby, you must know your machine in and out. Reading the manual is a good starting point and if that is all you do, chances are you will be able to find a few targets here and there. But like most things, the more you know, the better off you are. A few common and easy tips to get to know your machine are:
*Read the manual
*Search for your metal detector model name on You Tube and watch a few videos of people using them
*Get as much hands-on practice as possible. Get out in your yard, bring a few targets with you (a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, nail, silver ring, gold ring) and put them down one at a time, and listen to how your machine detects each target, paying attention to what tone is created.
*Metal detect with a seasoned detectorist. When you find a target, let them listen to it with their machine and compare. Metal detecting takes time, patience, and good guessing because sometimes you think you have silver and really it is a pull-tab. But, sometimes you get pleasantly surprised and dig up a great relic.
To metal detect properly and get the most out of the hobby, you must know your machine in and out. Reading the manual is a good starting point and if that is all you do, chances are you will be able to find a few targets here and there. But like most things, the more you know, the better off you are. A few common and easy tips to get to know your machine are:
*Read the manual
*Search for your metal detector model name on You Tube and watch a few videos of people using them
*Get as much hands-on practice as possible. Get out in your yard, bring a few targets with you (a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, nail, silver ring, gold ring) and put them down one at a time, and listen to how your machine detects each target, paying attention to what tone is created.
*Metal detect with a seasoned detectorist. When you find a target, let them listen to it with their machine and compare. Metal detecting takes time, patience, and good guessing because sometimes you think you have silver and really it is a pull-tab. But, sometimes you get pleasantly surprised and dig up a great relic.
METAL DETECTING GUIDELINES
Metal detecting involves digging so it is important that you understand the correct way to dig a hole, cut a plug and cover your hole as if you never touched the soil. North Pittsburgh Past Finders Metal Detecting Club wants to share our knowledge with you so you can focus on getting out discovering the past!
Metal Detecting Guidelines
Like most things in life, there are rules to follow when metal detecting to keep our hobby in a good light. Whether you are metal detecting Pittsburgh Pennsylvania or Pittsburg Texas or anywhere in the world, following the guidelines below will keep everyone happy.
Metal Detecting Guidelines
Like most things in life, there are rules to follow when metal detecting to keep our hobby in a good light. Whether you are metal detecting Pittsburgh Pennsylvania or Pittsburg Texas or anywhere in the world, following the guidelines below will keep everyone happy.
- Follow all local, state, and federal laws related to metal detecting
- Respect private property and never metal detect an area without permission.
- Pack out what you pack in, and properly dispose of any trash you find.
- Leave all gates, structures, and personal property as they were before.
- Fill in every hole you dig. Leave no trace you were there. Video on How to Cut a Plug So You Can Fill It Back Properly
- Never dig in a way that harms vegetation, wildlife, or changes natural features.
- Report any significant historical artifacts to local authorities.
- Be an ambassador for the hobby by being courteous and thoughtful at all times.
NPPF CLEANING YOUR FINDS
You found your treasure! It is filthy. Now what? Listed below are some of the ways NPPF members clean their finds, as well as some helpful links to cleaning sites. **We are not held responsible if you damage your item. Clean at your own risk**
- CAST IRON/STEEL ITEMS: Soak item in vinegar overnight to loosen. You may need to use a wire brush to release any stuck rust. Once done, wipe it clean with water and dish soap, then spray it with a WD-40 type of spray
- COMMON COPPER AND CLAD COINS: Use a rock tumbler with a little water, some aquarium gravel and a little gentle dish soap
- SILVER COINS: There are a few ideas on what to do with silver:
- either do nothing except clean with a little soap water and if needed a gentle tooth paste or baking soda
- aluminum foil and baking soda and salt, wrap it up and place in boiling hot water until you like the look of the coin
- BRASS COINS: Soak in olive oil for 1 to 2 days, checking occasionally. Wipe clean with paper towel, then dab away any dirt with a cotton ball or Qtip
- There are many groups on Facebook that are helpful. Dirt Digging PA, Metal Detecting Pennsylvania, Metal Detecting Western Pennsylvania are just a few.