Metal detecting enthusiasts often wonder if their machines can ‘pull a rabbit out of a hat’ and detect magnets. The answer is yes, metal detectors can detect magnets and magnetic metals.
However, modern machines are designed to filter out magnetic metals like iron, and advanced features such as discrimination and ground balance help ignore magnetic metals and junk.
Metal detecting has become popular over the years, and hobbyists always look for ways to enhance their experience. Detecting magnets is an area of interest for some, and understanding how metal detectors work in detecting magnetic items is essential.
In this article, we will delve into the technicalities of metal detectors and their ability to detect magnets, including the discrimination and ground balance features that help in identifying non-ferrous metals like platinum, copper, palladium, silver, and gold. We will also provide tips for beginners and offer insights on identifying magnetic items, which can be a valuable resource in metal detecting.
Key Takeaways
- Metal detectors can detect magnets and magnetic metals.
- Discrimination and Ground Balance features help ignore magnetic metals and junk.
- Magnetic items have low electrical conductivity and produce a low VDI number.
- Beginners can start with the lowest discrimination level to pick up everything and learn their machine quicker.
How Metal Detectors Work
The functioning of metal detectors is based on the principles of electromagnetism. When the detector’s search coil is moved over a metallic object, it creates a magnetic field that generates an electric current in the coil. This current is then amplified and processed by the detector’s circuitry, which produces an audio or visual signal to alert the user of the detected metal.
While metal detectors can detect magnetic metals like iron, they are also programmed to disregard these types of metals using discrimination and ground balance features. Magnetism in non-ferrous metals such as platinum, copper, palladium, silver, and gold is much weaker than magnetic metals.
As a result, these types of metals produce a low VDI number and are less likely to be detected by metal detectors.
However, it is still possible to identify magnetic items using a metal detector by observing the signals produced by the device. Additionally, some metal detectors like the Garrett AT Pro have a specific tone for iron and magnetic metals, which can help distinguish them from non-magnetic metals.
Discrimination and Ground Balance
Discrimination and Ground Balance are critical in detecting magnetic metals with metal-detecting machines. Discrimination allows users to ignore certain types of metal, such as iron, while searching for more valuable non-ferrous metals like gold or silver.
Ground Balance, on the other hand, enables the machine to adjust its sensitivity to the type of soil it is searching in, ensuring that it can detect the desired metals without being overwhelmed by false signals from minerals or other unwanted items.
When searching for magnetic metals, discrimination and ground balance become even more important. Magnetic metals like iron and nickel produce a low VDI (Visual Discrimination Indicator) number and can create false signals, making distinguishing between them and non-magnetic metals difficult.
Adjusting sensitivity levels and using the discrimination feature can help identify magnetic metals and avoid wasting time digging up unwanted items. By adjusting these features and using proper techniques, metal-detecting enthusiasts can improve their chances of finding valuable non-ferrous metals while avoiding the distraction of magnetic items.
Tips for Beginners
For novice metal detectorists, starting with a lower discrimination level may be beneficial in identifying a wider range of materials. By avoiding the use of discrimination, beginners can learn the capabilities and limitations of their machines more quickly. This will also enable them to identify magnetic items, which have low electrical conductivity and produce a low VDI number.
When choosing a metal detector, it is important for beginners to select the best models that are suitable for their skill level. The Bounty Hunter Tracker 4 is a cheap model that is easy to use and is suitable for finding magnetic items.
Additionally, it is helpful for beginners to learn how to identify magnetic items, as they are commonly found in metal detecting. With practice and experience, novice metal detectorists can improve their skills and graduate to more advanced models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can metal detectors detect non-magnetic metals like aluminum or brass?
The applications of non-magnetic metal detection are limited because metal detectors rely on electromagnetic induction, which is only effective for detecting magnetic metals. Non-magnetic metals like aluminum or brass have low electrical conductivity and produce a weak signal, making their detection challenging.
How deep can a metal detector detect magnetic items?
Detection accuracy of magnetic items by metal detectors depends on factors such as the strength of the magnetic field, size of the item, and effects of soil on detection. Magnetic items have low electrical conductivity, resulting in a weaker signal, and can be detected at shallower depths compared to non-magnetic metals.
Can metal detectors differentiate between different types of magnetic metals?
Metal detectors can differentiate between different types of magnetic metals based on their electrical conductivity and the resulting VDI number. However, the limitations of metal detectors in complex environments may affect their accuracy. Advantages include discrimination and ground balance features.
Are there any special techniques for detecting magnetic items?
Magnetic field sensitivity is crucial for detecting magnetic items but can also lead to false positives. Adjusting the sensitivity and discriminating against magnetic metals can help minimize false positives and improve accuracy.
Can metal detectors detect magnets that are not in the shape of a metal object?
Metal detectors are limited in detecting non-metallic magnets due to the absence of electrical conductivity. However, magnets can be used in metal detection to locate iron-containing materials. Using magnets in metal detection can improve the efficiency of the process.
