Metal Detector Wand

[sweensdv]

Harbor Freight has the #94138 CenTech 9V Metal Detector Wand on coupon special for $29.99, normally $49.99. This is a retail store only special. If the quality of this metal detector is as good as their digital calipers it's a great deal. I've been talking myself in and out of buying one for a long time and this deal has settled my inner battle. I'm gonna get one. For anyone else interested, here is the coupon you'll need to get the $29.99 price, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ema...B/images/5.jpg

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks Dave. Almost picked one up yesterday, you saved me $10.
ken

[Pappy]

I need to make a run to Austin today anyway. Thanks.

[sweensdv]

Thanks Dave. Almost picked one up yesterday, you saved me $10.
ken

[Ken Massingale]

I ran over to HF and picked one up, it looks like it will do what I need. I did give them 6 bucks for the extended warranty on this item, although I usually don't go for those things.
I'll run it through a few tests later unless Dave has already do so and wants to post results.
ken

[sweensdv]

It appears to me that this metal detector for the most part will work for me anyways. The maximum depth that its supposed to read down to is 13/16" but I actually had it beeping at deeper depths.

Keep in mind that the test I did was quick, simple and totally unscientific. I first shot a 3/4" 18ga brad into the 4x side of a piece of scrap 2x4 then I scanned the opposite side that I didn't shoot the brad into. The metal detector easily detected the brad. Next, I shot another 3/4" brad into the 2x side of the test piece and again scanned the opposite side and this time the metal detector failed to detect the brad. Considering that it would have had to scan through approx. 2-3/4" of wood to find the brad I wasn't surprised that it didn't find it.

For the next test, I shot a 1-1/2" 15ga finish nail into the 2x side of the test piece. Again, scanning from the opposite side as I shot the nail into. This time the metal detector failed to locate the nail. It would have had to scan through approximately 2" of wood in order to detect the finish nail.

As a final test, I screwed a 2-1/2" long deck screw into the 2x side of the test piece. Once again, scanning from the opposite side as I drove the screw into the metal detector easily found it this time.

For the type of work I do I found these result very acceptable, other may not. Scanning rough logs for resawing comes to mind where I think maybe a metal detector that is a little bit more sensitive than the HF one is might be a better choice.