Newbie from Canberra

[Grant]

Hi all - 100% noob here. I recently purchased a Fisher F22, based on a few reviews and the relatively low cost. I've used it once, and managed to find a beer can under about 20 cm of extremely compact dirt (yup, I put it all back). I got a few more bleeps but soon realised how very impenetrable the soil was with the tools I'd brought with me.

Not looking for anything in particular, hoping for coins more than anything - or just something interesting.

So right now I'm wondering what people are generally using for the digging - and how to choose a spot - particularly in Canberra. Any advice?

 

[DanielMaranello]

Hi Grant and welcome,

Sounds like you need a pick and shovel. Minelab, Miners Den, Lost Treasures, Prospectors Patch and The Outback Prospector are all sites that have these.

Regards
Daniel ickshovel: :goldpan:

 

[Jaros]

Welcome Grant.

 

[Grant]

Thanks Jaros and Daniel. I was missing a pick - I'll be back tomorrow to do a bit more digging. I had a shovel but my entire weight on it didn't seem to make much of a dent in the ground so tomorrow I'll try the pick.

 

[Eldorado]

Thanks Jaros and Daniel. I was missing a pick - I'll be back tomorrow to do a bit more digging. I had a shovel but my entire weight on it didn't seem to make much of a dent in the ground so tomorrow I'll try the pick.

Welcome Grant.Mate please don't go using a pick in a park or sports ground.You will make a mess.Even carrying a big shovel will attract unwanted attention.Picks and shovels are for the bush.Google "Garrett Digger" or "Tyger Digger". Buy one of them and learn how to dig a neat plug.
Dig a "C" shaped plug,by leaving one side of the plug connected to the grass,the grass won't die, flip it over,retrieve target and replace the plug and stamp it down with your boot.Try and make it look like you were never there.Best of luck.

 

[Grant]

Hi Eldorado - don't worry, I've read enough posts to pick up on the etiquette. The ground I'm digging in is basically an abandoned patch of compact earth left over from the construction of the townhouses in front of it - not expecting to find much, just practicing. I did find a 2 cent coin today, so that's a first for me.

Those Garrett diggers look useful - possibly not for the earth I've been looking in. I need to find somewhere else to search!

 

[Sleepys opals]

Hi Grant a great place to practice is under clothes lines the older the better, you will find a lot stuff like pegs, coins and the odd rings and what ever was left in pockets.

 

[Grant]

Hi sleepy, under clotheslines doesn't sound like a bad idea. I was up at the Canberra Uni today scanning around some paths and a few ditches - found some junk but nothing worth bagging. I noticed a hell of a lot of fluctuation in the readings - i haven't changed any settings at all but my Fisher F22 can't seem to make its mind up. I had a reading at around 50 - 60 that completely disappeared after I dug out a very neat plug - gone (No, not steel cap boots...)! I put the plug back, signal still gone. I'm going to go down to Hill End in a few weeks to see what I can find. Anyway - thanks all for the welcome, I'll let you know if I find anything interesting.