Smith - Metal Detecting: A Beginners Guide to Mastering the Greatest Hobby In the World

Metal Detecting

A Beginners Guide to

Mastering the Greatest Hobby In the World

By Mark Smith

Copyright 2014 and BeyondAll Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author.

Table of Contents

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Introduction

There is something really incredible about removing a chunk of earth and seeing a glimmer of metal encrusted in the soil. Your mind races as you reach down to pluck your new found treasure from its prison of dirt. What could it be? The possibilities are limitless.

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Your heart starts to beat a little faster as you realize that you have just unearthed a piece of treasure that may have not seen the light of day for hundreds of years. With hands that have now become a little unsteady, you try to brush away some of the clinging dirt to get a better look at your find.

Could it be a lost relic from hundreds or thousands of years ago? Could it be an old coin made from copper, bronze, silver or even gold? Could it be a piece of jewelry packed full of precious stones? Could it be a piece of history from a historical battle where lives were put on the line? It could be any of these things and more!

What you now hold in your hands is a piece of history. It may be worth a lot of money, but the real value is the history that you have just brought to light. Think of who may have held or used this piece of treasure. Think of the places it has been. Think of the lives it has changed. If it could talk, think of the story that it could tell you.

This is the reality of what can only be described as the greatest hobby in the world, metal detecting. Yeah I said it, and I think it is 100% true. Metal detecting is the greatest hobby in the world, and anyone can do it!

There is a world of treasure buried right beneath our feet, and it is just waiting for you or me to dig it up. There are people who are digging up buried treasure right now as you read these words. This is not some made up BS story. There are people winning the metal detecting lottery every minute of every single day. I have done it more times than I can count. Are you ready to go claim your share of treasure and history?

My First Time Metal Detecting

I remember the very first time I used a metal detector. It wasn't even mine. I purchased one for my five year old son. He always loved to find things, so I thought a metal detector would make a great Christmas present.

The night before Christmas my wife and I decided to take about $5.00 in change and hide it all over the front yard. I even went so far as to make a little treasure map to help my son find everything that we had buried the night before.

The next morning came way too early like Christmas morning always does. My son tore through his presents really quick. The metal detector was the last one he opened. He had no idea what it was.

I explained it to him and from the moment I said, treasure a light grew in his eyes. Then he saw the authentic treasure map and his jaw dropped. He could not get the batteries in the metal detector quick enough. His little fingers fumbled with excitement and anticipation.

I quickly explained how the detector worked. There was nothing fancy about it. You turned it on and it beeped when it moved over metal. My son went to work using his treasure map and the metal detector.

His new metal detector quickly located a target that was not on the treasure map. I was a little confused because I did nut bury anything in this spot. He dug up a nail. He got another signal that was not on the treasure map. He dug up my lost pair of pliers. So that is where they went. He was laughing and having a good time.

My son was finding stuff everywhere in our front yard. He was also finding coins all over the place. He quickly had a couple of dollars in modern coins. Then he pulled an antique silver ring from the front yard. That is when it hit me. Wow, metal detectors really do work. I looked at my wife who just rolled her eyes and said, Oh boy.

My wife already new that I wanted to go out to the store and buy the most expensive metal detector that I could find, but she was wrong. This was one hobby that I was going to step lightly into.

I was in the same exact situation where you might find yourself right this minute. I knew that I wanted a metal detector, but I had no idea where I should begin. I had a mild case of treasure fever. I wanted to see what else I could dig up. I started thinking about old coins and lost treasures. I never once considered finding lost jewelry.

That was several years ago. I have owned over a dozen different metal detectors over the years. Some have worked better than others, but one thing is for certain, I love digging up treasure. I never seemed to get tired of finding coins, relics, jewelry and gold.

Before I started metal detecting, I was an avid fisherman. That was about to change. Metal detecting quickly became my priority hobby, and I let the dust collect on all of my fishing gear. I was finding all sorts of treasures and my hobby was paying for itself. I had created a monster. HA HA HA! IT'S ALIVE!

It was not long before I stepped neck deep into metal detecting and purchased an expensive machine with all the bells and whistles. This improved my finds dramatically, and I have been happily digging up lost treasure every chance I get.

I quickly learned that using a metal detector is a lot like everything else in life. You will have to dig through some trash before you find the real treasure below.

Why Do You Want to Start Metal Detecting?

This is kind of a silly question, but it is very important to have an answer to this question before you start your life long addiction to treasure hunting. Once the treasure bug bites you, it can be really difficult to shake it. Your significant other may even get upset with you because you are spending all of your free time hunting for treasure. Just make sure to bring home all the jewelry you dig up and everything should be fine.

We all want to start metal detecting for the same reason. We want to find buried treasure. This treasure could be old relics, old coins, modern coins, lost jewelry or lost caches. If you put a little bit of time and effort into metal detecting, you will be able to find all of this and more, but knowing why you want to start metal detecting will help you determine what type of metal detector is best for you.

There are hundreds of different metal detectors on the market today. Choosing which one is right for you is probably the most complicated thing about metal detecting. There are machines that are made for specific purposes.

For instance, if your interest is to find older coins, then you would be better off with a machine that was designed for coin shooting. If you want to find gold nuggets, then you are better off with a machine that was designed for finding gold nuggets. If you want to find a clown, then you should stop reading this book and go to the circus. I hope you get my point. There are metal detectors for just about every type of metal and style of metal detecting. Owning the right machine makes a world of difference.

You may be saying to yourself, "I want to be able to find everything. I want to find old coins, lost jewelry, relics, and gold nuggets." We all want to be able to find everything, and luckily there are machines on the market that are multi-purpose. These machines have been designed to help you locate all sorts of treasure, and most of them work as advertised.