Where to start

[DepDawg]

Where would anyone suggest a newbe start as far as what to build or buy??

[Infamy]

Maybe with a place where people reply to your posts.

[Merc]

Ok, I'll bite. It depends on what you want interests you. If you just want to coin-shoot, go out and by yourself a moderately priced detector and have at it. If you like working with electronics and don't mind putting in the time and effort, building is the way the go. I could buy any model I like but somehow it's much more fun to build. I have learned that there is a very special feeling to be had buy taking the time to study a schematic, hunt down the parts, maybe make a modification here and there and then actually build the thing. Then when you take it out in the field and actually find good targets with this device you made with your own two hands, it feels great. It makes the finds more...meaningful. You will also probably make mistakes and accidently learn something along the way.

I would suggest starting with the Golden Sabre or Golden Sabre Light (TGSL). Relatively simple circuits with easy to come by parts. You will find lots of info on those models including winding your own coil. Threre's even a new thread started just for people trouble-shooting there home-built Golden Sabres.

Good luck and sorry you felt ignored. I don't really post a lot unless I have something meaningful to say.

Merc

[DepDawg]

Merc,
First off, Thanks for your reply!! I do have the time to build, and can eventually scrounge up the money to build. But am a dummy when it comes to reading a schematic. My Dad on the other hand developed and invented the Ohm meter in 1952. He was a wizz at this stuff, but he is gone. I am also a member of the GPAA and have been looking to search out their listed legends of Lost treasures in NW Arkansas, NE Oklahoma. But 1 more problem, I live on $889.00 a mth, and its hard to do most anything for me. Either in building or in buying. AGAIN, I appreciate your response to my post and if you or someone you know could give me some insite on reading schematics, I would appreciate THAT too!!

[Merc]

Take a look here: http://www.geotech1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15710 . This would be a good place to start if you really want to build your own detector. Please keep in mind that this detector is primarily for coin hunting or possibly relic hunting. It is not really a "gold machine". It is a simple motion-based discriminating detector. Here is a link to the owners manual: http://www.tesoro.com/info/manuals/older/goldensabre/ . This should tell you enough about to decide if it suits your hunting needs. I can help you decipher the schematics if you have need.

Merc

[DepDawg]

Merc;
Thanks for the information. I am pringing the first 1 and have the second in my favorites. I am actually looking for a cache hunter(if there is such an animal) Like I said, I have several leads from the Gold Prospectors Accociation on several legends of hidden caches. Will the information you gave me help do this??

[Carl-NC]

Before you embark on a project, I suggest you get a book on intro circuitry and learn both schematic lingo and basic circuits. Detectors don't make a good first circuit.

[DepDawg]

Anotherwords what your saying is that I am trying to get into the wrong hobby since I'm not as smart as others??

[Carl-NC]

No, I'm just saying that if you want to get into the hobby of building circuits, a metal detector can be a difficult project to start with. It's easy to get something wrong, then have no idea what to do.

Start simpler, get your feet wet, learn schematic lingo, build some basic circuits and work with them some. A good method is to buy a plug-in breadboard and a variety of parts. You can build circuits, then pull them apart and re-use the parts. Radio Shack has all this.

- Carl