Looking for a decent metal detector for my son

[dnyelator]

Folks,

My son is a sawmilling fool these days but he has hit a couple of pieces of steel and has messed up a couple of chains. He has a 59" bar chain on his 880, and luckily he hasn't hit anything with that yet, but without a detector it only a matter of time, so I need your help. Is there a couple of models you could recommend? I know I can't afford the top of the line models, but maybe something in a $100-200 range that will sense metal 3-6" into a log? Thanks as always. I lurk on this site alot and have learned so much from so many on here. What an awesome forum!

 

[cowboyvet]

Can't help you on which detector is better but I go with the eye balls. Look at the butt end of the log and if it has dark spots on it you know there is metal in there and what side of the log it is on.

 

[dnyelator]

Need a metal detector

Can't help you on which detector is better but I go with the eye balls. Look at the butt end of the log and if it has dark spots on it you know there is metal in there and what side of the log it is on.

Thanks cowboyvet. We have a 130 year old white oak that we just dropped that has two tell tail signs of having metal in it, so that's one reason to get one now, but sometimes it's just better to scan before you even cut, so that's why we're looking for one. Thanks.

 

[BobL]

I know I can't afford the top of the line models, but maybe something in a $100-200 range that will sense metal 3-6" into a log? Thanks as always. I lurk on this site alot and have learned so much from so many on here. What an awesome forum!

Detection distance depends on what size the metal pieces are with bigger pieces being able to be detected a lot further away.

The widely used handheld Garrett security superscanner has an RRP of ~$200 but at 6" their own specs say it can detect a large knife but for that money I would want a lot more sensitivity than this. All security product stuff is way over priced for what it is.

I use this TS-80A scanner. It has the same circuitry and coil ares as the superscanner but is about 1/5 of the price. I use it mainly with my thicknesser but also with my CS mills. It is supposed to detect a quarter up to a depth of 2.5".

You also need to bear in mind that metal detectors are not a complete answer as they will not detect things like rocks, concrete or glass.

 

[mrbentontoyou]

i use the garret super scanner and it works well, picked it up used on ebay for around $55 shipped.

just checked and there are a few of them on ebay now in the $80 - $130 range, one is a lot lower but has a few days left to the auction.

When scanning 4" thick boards atop my 3 1/2" thick bench top, the lag bolts under my bench top set it off.

the only other detectors i've used are the small and large "wizard" models from lee valley and they are a waste of money in my opinion.

 

[dnyelator]

Garrett models?

Thanks for the responses guys. I did some research on each of the scanners you mentioned and I found this on Amazon that has what sounds like the same specs as the 'superscanner", but is 25% of the cost. What do you think about this?

Amazon.com: Garrett Pro-Scan Scanner Metal Detector: Sports & Outdoors

 

[BobL]

Thanks for the responses guys. I did some research on each of the scanners you mentioned and I found this on Amazon that has what sounds like the same specs as the 'superscanner", but is 25% of the cost. What do you think about this?

Amazon.com: Garrett Pro-Scan Scanner Metal Detector: Sports & Outdoors

I reckon you have nothing to lose at that price.
If you buy it, I'd like to hear how it works.

 

[gtsawyer]

I got the Garrett ($26.01 w/o shipping - eBay, of course) to find nails in an old cottonwood tree that was known to have quite a few (tree house steps). Found the nails too, with the scanner even. Worked great, although I have no idea what the detection limits are.

 

[SPM in King]

It appears that the Pro-Scan is not made by Garrett. It is not on their web site. Pro-Scan also make a Pro-Scan II. I am interested in additional feedback on these units. How deep do they scan, in your experience? Hitting metal is expensive.

Steve.

 

[rarefish383]

Many years ago I was into metal detecting for civil war relics and had 2 Garrett machines and have nothing but praise for them. I now have a Fisher. These are full size detectors, not hand scanners, and they will pick up small nails easy. In the ground they will pick up the burnt wire from sparklers (fireworks) at 6 to 8 inches no problem.

When I started scanning my logs it took a little obvious advice to help me out. I kept thinking how am I gong to detect a small nail a foot or more deep in a log? DUH, on my part, just keep rescanning after each slab is removed. Actually it was obvious once I started milling, but when I was looking at wands, the depth reach of the machine was in my criteria. I finally said to heck with the hand wands and used my big machine. Good luck to you and your son milling, Joe.