NOT FOR RINGS WITH STONES. Not to worry about your size… you will know if your ring fits on the top/first highest “bench.” If your ring is too small to slide on the first/highest up bench, your ring is too small for this machine. (Smaller rings have less surface area to “give” so you are safer at a jeweler with small, or low karat rings. The higher the gold or silver content, the safer and better it will stretch. High karat gold such as 18k., is quite a bit more malleable than say 10k.
1. CAUTION IS WARRANTED: These are precision made machined parts. Take care of them and they can be passed down in your will. Keep them in a protective box, away from children, there are sharp edges, this is no toy. This is a great tool at an amazing price Keep the parts lightly oiled and in a dry place. Do not let the drive rod stored down inside the expanding collet. Light rust from moisture in the air could cause it to seize, ruining its accuracy. As I said…these are precision machined parts, keep them lightly lubricated in a drawer in the house as I do.
2. There are 3 parts…
a) Wooden stand
b) Expanding Collet
c). Drive/Ram Rod
3. The operation of expanding a ring is simple enough and straight forward. HOWEVER…CAUTION IS ADVISED! You certainly do not want to ruin your wife’s wedding band, from her grandmother. Do this work with a clear, rested mind…with no distractions whatsoever. You need a good solid work surface, well lit.
You MUST have a brass hammer. Do not use a carpenter’s hammer that will be too light a blow, with too small a head, that could miss hitting the top of the ram rod squarely, causing the hammer to slide down the Collet, hitting and most likely seriously damaging the ring! Borrow, rent, or buy a heavy brass hammer with a wide head. Brass gives a smooth, even impact. Not reflecting the impact back like steel.
4. Let’s Begin! Use the wood stand…it does have a purpose! The drive rod extends out the bottom of the collet during sizing. The stand gives you that room below.
5. Place the collet on the stand, making sure it is sitting level and solid on a good work bench or even a good piece of wide wood on the level floor of the garage.
6. Place the collet with the LARGE KNURLED (cross hatch grip pattern) END DOWN into the wood stand. Correct end up, it will look like a Christmas tree with the bigger expanding levels at the bottom.
7. NOW THE CAREFUL, CAUTIOUS PART! Pay attention please… slide your ring down on to the —lowest/smallest diameter “bench.” SQUEEZE THE COLLET COLLARS (grooved sections) TOGETHER…with your fingers, to allow you to slide the ring down as far as possible, resting on the LOWEST “BENCH” IT WILL SLIDE ON TO. NOW THE COLLET COLLARS WILL HOLD THE RING IN PLACE, WHEN YOU RELEASE YOUR GRIP. VERIFY THE RING IS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE COLLARS.
Now (with the entire work area covered with soft rags, towels, etc)., but NOT under the wood stand, carefully lift out the collet from the stand, (making sure the ring is held in place) because now we will make an important adjustment.
You do NOT want to size your ring with it resting down against the bench lower edge. Instead…carefully slide the ring up just a hair…like 1/16” of an inch…just away from resting on the lower edge to prevent fine unwanted marks! But also NOT protruding ABOVE THE TOP EDGE OF THE BENCH EITHER! Keep the ring EVEN on the bench all around. You might wonder why all this caution in aligning the ring on the bench, but there will soon be STRONG FORCES AT WORK!
(The ring must be cleaned inside of any dirt, grime, sand, etc., BEFORE POSITIONING THE RING ON THE BENCH). Especially if this is a metal detecting find! CLEAN IS A MUST! A few grains on sand on the inside could cause the ring to stretch unevenly!
8. With the ring correctly positioned on the lowest possible bench, carefully replace the collet in the wood stand, wide end down again.
9. Lightly lubricate with thin oil, the shaft of the ram rod, to prevent galling. (Metal to metal stress wearing, that could throw off the precision accuracy.
10. Gently slide the ram rod down into the collet. Verify ALL IS CORRECT AND READY! WITH A SOLID, LEVEL SURFACE, WITH GOOD LIGHTING… LET’S DO THIS!!!
11. Gently give a light tap, squarely on the head of the ram rod to tension up the collet. RE-VERIFY THAT THE RING IS LEVEL ON THE BENCH, NOT SITTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE, NOR EXTENDING UP BEYOND THE UPPER BENCH EDGE! This is very important for an even stretch.
12. Now give it a solid blow. Learning your aim and stance. You must not miss the head of the ram rod!!! Repeat with a couple more hard, accurate blows. Now carefully pull the collet out of the stand, keeping it over your protective rags, and carefully drive the ram rod BACK OUT FROM THE BOTTOM END THAT WAS IN THE STAND. You will see the ram rod possibly extending out the bottom of the collet. If not…take a punch and hammer and tap it back out. But be careful for the ring -flying free- when the collet arm tension is released. Do this carefully and SLOWLY the first time!
13. Now set the collet back in the stand and slide the ring down onto the collet arms, compressing them again with your fingers, and check for progress! If the ring looks the slightest bit out of round, or damaged on the edges…STOP!!! Take your ring to a jeweler to be on the safe side.
14. REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS, CAREFULLY ALIENING THE RING ON THE COLLET BENCH…SLOW AND STEADY. Do not rush the job! Quality work takes time!
GOOD LUCK…ALWAYS START OFF SLOW UNTIL YOU DETERMINE HOW WELL AND HOW FAST YOUR DIFFERENT RINGS ARE STRETCHING. EVERY RING WILL STRETCH AT A DIFFERENT RATE AND EFFORT. AGAIN…GO SLOW.
IN NO WAY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE TO YOUR RINGS OR PERSONAL INJURY FROM USING THIS APPARATUS.
(PREFERABLY…if you have an old ring to practice on FIRST…then do so).
These directions written by a customer of SERIOUS DETECTING (Sebastian Steve) who purchased and used this equipment with •great success• on a gold 18 karat men’s wedding band, recovered by the author from an 1870s Great Lakes Steamship, resting in 205 feet of water.
Thank you and Good Luck!
Best Places to Use a Metal Detector
/0 Comments/in General /by Ewout KozelEverybody loves a good treasure hunting escapade, because you never know what you’re going to find, right?
You just got yourself a shiny new metal detector, so naturally, the next logical step is to start looking for places where ‘hidden treasures’ might be discovered.
Now, the question is: where’s a good place to start? You may have ideas of your own but you certainly can’t go trespassing on private properties or restricted dig sites. That would buy you a first-hand ticket to trouble with the law.
In your quest to hunt for treasures using your new metal detector, here are great places to start with:
Why Not Start with Your Own Back/Front Yard?
Before venturing out to unchartered territory, it’s always a good idea to do the hunting in your own backyard.
Majority of homes are built on land previously owned or used in some way or the other. There’s a good chance people have dropped ‘stuff’ which got buried deep within the soil. And this stuff could be anything from dropped coins and jewelry to memorabilia and other valuable, sought after objects.
Starting with the front or back yard also gives you a chance to understand how your metal detector works.
The Beach
These are undeniably the number one choice for most folks with metal detectors – you’ll see plenty of them too scouting around on the local beach, for hours on end, in some cases.
Since beaches are so regularly used by the public, there’s a very high likelihood that you might find something useful. It isn’t exactly unusual for people to drop things at the beach – the towel line is where you should start – this is where sun-bathers sprawl out their towels and often misplace things where there are dips in the wet sand.
If you find something of interest here, and you probably will, keep scanning this area because the waves tend to sweep objects along the lowest point. Seasoned metal detector enthusiasts refer to these as ‘poeckets’ – in fact, these areas are practically a gold mine of coins, rings, lost phones – or anything else people might have on them at the beach.
Make sure you get permission beforehand even if it’s a public beach.
Public Parks
You’ve probably heard of “where there’s people, there’s treasure” – which is why it’s worth scouting out the local park in your area. However, you should approach the public park authorities first to seek permission.
Think about the places that people tend to use the most at parks – around benches, under a tree or perhaps a place where there used to be a kiosk. Don’t be shy to ask around.
Stadiums & Bleachers
This shouldn’t come as a surprise because all sporting events see crowds by the numbers – people carelessly jumping around with excitement, which means they’re bound to lose things!
Hit your local stadium, and scan the bleachers in particular, to have your shot at walking home with a little post-sporting event booty!
If you want to get serious about metal detecting, take a look at our diverse collection of high-quality metal detectors.
Minelab Equinox Technologies: Multi-IQ Frequency
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, How to: Tips and Advice /by Serious DetectingMulti-IQ Simultaneous Multi-Frequency
Low frequencies typically give more depth on large targets than high frequencies, which are usually more sensitive to small targets, such as small gold nuggets.
With the Minelab Equinox metal detectors you can operate across the full spectrum of frequencies simultaneously for maximum results.
*20 kHz and 40 kHz not available as single operating frequencies in EQUINOX 600. Multi-IQ frequency range shown applies to both EQUINOX 600 and 800. | This diagram is representative only. Actual sensitivity levels will depend upon target types and sizes, ground conditions and detector settings.
The EQUINOX 600 offers a choice of 3 single frequencies (5 kHz, 10 kHz, and 15 kHz) and the EQUINOX 800 offers the choice of 5 single frequencies (5 kHz, 10 kHz, 15 kHz, 20 kHz, and 40 kHz). Both models cover a much broader range of targets when operating in Multi than any one single frequency can, however, if excessive ground noise is present in a particular detecting location, switching into a single frequency can help to eliminate this.
Relevant Metal Detectors
Minelab X-TERRA 705 Gold Pack Manual
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Serious DetectingProvided below is the user manual for the X-TERRA 705 Gold Pack metal detector.
White’s Spectra V3i Metal Detector Master Reset Process
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, How to: Tips and Advice /by Serious DetectingIf your V3i is noisy, chatty, or just generally “not working right”, the Master Reset process will generally take care of any instability issues. Before executing a Master Reset, determine if the issue is with just one program or all programs. If the issue is with just one program, it is suggested that the RESTORE process be executed for that program. This will restore that single program to factory settings, preserving the remainder of your custom setups. The RESTORE process is described in detail on page 46 of your Spectra V3i Owner’s Guide and on page 7-2 of your Spectra VX3 Owner’s Guide.
The following steps will execute the Master Reset process: (Note differences below for VX3)
At this point your V3i / VX3 has been reset to FACTORY SETTINGS. All custom programs and settings are gone and must be re-entered manually.
The MASTER RESET PROCESS for the VX3 is identical to the above with the following exceptions:
Step 6. You will see “All Programs, Common, All Other”. There is no LIBRARY option for VX3.
Step 7. You will see a warning: “Reset Detector To Factory Settings. (Think twice before doing this.)”
All warnings / cautions for V3i are applicable to VX3. Proceed with caution.
White’s TDI BeachHunter Metal Detector Manuals
/0 Comments/in Product Manuals /by Serious DetectingProvided below is the user manual for the White’s TDI BeachHunter metal detector.
How To Recalibrate Your Quest Scuba Tector
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, How to: Tips and Advice /by Serious DetectingIf your Quest Scuba Tector is consistently beeping or making 5 beeps when it is first powered on, it needs to be recalibrated.
To recalibrate your new Scuba Tector please perform the following:
Minelab Equinox Series Metal Detectors Software Upgrade
/0 Comments/in Breaking News /by Serious DetectingMinelab has released a software upgrade for the Equinox 600 and Equinox 800 metal detectors. Using the Minelab Update Utility, users will be able to update their machines to the current software. Some of the upgraded features include Improved Silver Target Indication, Advanced Depth Gauge Indications, and general updates to bugs and other issues.
The Minelab Update Utility will operate on MAC OS, Windows 7, 8, and 10 operating systems. Download the PDF below for more information about the software update and instructions on how to install it.
EQUINOX SOFTWARE UPDATE A4 EN
Be sure to check out Serious Detecting’s exclusive Minelab Equinox 600 and Equinox 800 metal detector bundles!
Comparison: Quest Q20 / Quest Q40 / Quest Pro
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews /by Serious DetectingQuest Q20 Metal Detector Introduction / Walkthrough Video
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews /by Ewout KozelNo matter where you hunt, the Q20 is the right machine for your metal detecting projects. The lightweight Q20 allows easier swings and efficient area covering. We included with the machine several useful features like the built-in rechargeable battery, the LCD backlight and an IP65 waterproof console. Combined, these features will increase your recover speed and helps you work longer, and find more treasures.
Quest Q20 Metal Detector with 9.5 x 5″ TurboD Waterproof Search Coil: https://www.seriousdetecting.com/product/quest-q20-metal-detector-with-9-5-x-5-turbod-waterproof-search-coil/
Quest Q40 Metal Detector Introduction / Walkthrough Video
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews /by Ewout KozelNo matter where you hunt, the Quest Q40 metal detector comes with all that you need to start your metal detecting projects. The lightweight Q40 allows easier swings and efficient area covering. We started with useful features like the built-in rechargeable battery, the LCD backlight and an IP65 waterproof console. Combined, these features will increase your recover speed and helps you work longer, and find more treasures.
Quest Q40 Metal Detector Pack with 2 Coils, Hat, Wireless HP Pouch and Cover: https://www.seriousdetecting.com/product/quest-q40-metal-detector-pack-with-2-coils-hat-wireless-hp-pouch-and-cover/
Quest Q40 Metal Detector with 11 x 9″ Wide Scan TurboD Waterproof Search Coil: https://www.seriousdetecting.com/product/quest-q40-metal-detector-with-9-x-11%E2%80%B3-wide-scan-turbod-waterproof-search-coil/
Comparison: Garrett Pro Pointer II, Pro Pointer AT, and Pro Pointer AT Z-LYNK
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews, New Products /by Serious DetectingMinelab GPZ 7000 Tips for Better Ground Balance
/0 Comments/in How to: Tips and Advice /by Ewout KozelWhat‘s the Difference Between Garrett’s ACE 200, ACE 300, and ACE 400?
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews /by Serious DetectingUsing the Ring Stretcher/Sizer, Enlarger Kit
/0 Comments/in How to: Tips and Advice /by Ewout KozelNOT FOR RINGS WITH STONES. Not to worry about your size… you will know if your ring fits on the top/first highest “bench.” If your ring is too small to slide on the first/highest up bench, your ring is too small for this machine. (Smaller rings have less surface area to “give” so you are safer at a jeweler with small, or low karat rings. The higher the gold or silver content, the safer and better it will stretch. High karat gold such as 18k., is quite a bit more malleable than say 10k.
1. CAUTION IS WARRANTED: These are precision made machined parts. Take care of them and they can be passed down in your will. Keep them in a protective box, away from children, there are sharp edges, this is no toy. This is a great tool at an amazing price Keep the parts lightly oiled and in a dry place. Do not let the drive rod stored down inside the expanding collet. Light rust from moisture in the air could cause it to seize, ruining its accuracy. As I said…these are precision machined parts, keep them lightly lubricated in a drawer in the house as I do.
2. There are 3 parts…
a) Wooden stand
b) Expanding Collet
c). Drive/Ram Rod
3. The operation of expanding a ring is simple enough and straight forward. HOWEVER…CAUTION IS ADVISED! You certainly do not want to ruin your wife’s wedding band, from her grandmother. Do this work with a clear, rested mind…with no distractions whatsoever. You need a good solid work surface, well lit.
You MUST have a brass hammer. Do not use a carpenter’s hammer that will be too light a blow, with too small a head, that could miss hitting the top of the ram rod squarely, causing the hammer to slide down the Collet, hitting and most likely seriously damaging the ring! Borrow, rent, or buy a heavy brass hammer with a wide head. Brass gives a smooth, even impact. Not reflecting the impact back like steel.
4. Let’s Begin! Use the wood stand…it does have a purpose! The drive rod extends out the bottom of the collet during sizing. The stand gives you that room below.
5. Place the collet on the stand, making sure it is sitting level and solid on a good work bench or even a good piece of wide wood on the level floor of the garage.
6. Place the collet with the LARGE KNURLED (cross hatch grip pattern) END DOWN into the wood stand. Correct end up, it will look like a Christmas tree with the bigger expanding levels at the bottom.
7. NOW THE CAREFUL, CAUTIOUS PART! Pay attention please… slide your ring down on to the —lowest/smallest diameter “bench.” SQUEEZE THE COLLET COLLARS (grooved sections) TOGETHER…with your fingers, to allow you to slide the ring down as far as possible, resting on the LOWEST “BENCH” IT WILL SLIDE ON TO. NOW THE COLLET COLLARS WILL HOLD THE RING IN PLACE, WHEN YOU RELEASE YOUR GRIP. VERIFY THE RING IS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE COLLARS.
Now (with the entire work area covered with soft rags, towels, etc)., but NOT under the wood stand, carefully lift out the collet from the stand, (making sure the ring is held in place) because now we will make an important adjustment.
You do NOT want to size your ring with it resting down against the bench lower edge. Instead…carefully slide the ring up just a hair…like 1/16” of an inch…just away from resting on the lower edge to prevent fine unwanted marks! But also NOT protruding ABOVE THE TOP EDGE OF THE BENCH EITHER! Keep the ring EVEN on the bench all around. You might wonder why all this caution in aligning the ring on the bench, but there will soon be STRONG FORCES AT WORK!
(The ring must be cleaned inside of any dirt, grime, sand, etc., BEFORE POSITIONING THE RING ON THE BENCH). Especially if this is a metal detecting find! CLEAN IS A MUST! A few grains on sand on the inside could cause the ring to stretch unevenly!
8. With the ring correctly positioned on the lowest possible bench, carefully replace the collet in the wood stand, wide end down again.
9. Lightly lubricate with thin oil, the shaft of the ram rod, to prevent galling. (Metal to metal stress wearing, that could throw off the precision accuracy.
10. Gently slide the ram rod down into the collet. Verify ALL IS CORRECT AND READY! WITH A SOLID, LEVEL SURFACE, WITH GOOD LIGHTING… LET’S DO THIS!!!
11. Gently give a light tap, squarely on the head of the ram rod to tension up the collet. RE-VERIFY THAT THE RING IS LEVEL ON THE BENCH, NOT SITTING ON THE BOTTOM EDGE, NOR EXTENDING UP BEYOND THE UPPER BENCH EDGE! This is very important for an even stretch.
12. Now give it a solid blow. Learning your aim and stance. You must not miss the head of the ram rod!!! Repeat with a couple more hard, accurate blows. Now carefully pull the collet out of the stand, keeping it over your protective rags, and carefully drive the ram rod BACK OUT FROM THE BOTTOM END THAT WAS IN THE STAND. You will see the ram rod possibly extending out the bottom of the collet. If not…take a punch and hammer and tap it back out. But be careful for the ring -flying free- when the collet arm tension is released. Do this carefully and SLOWLY the first time!
13. Now set the collet back in the stand and slide the ring down onto the collet arms, compressing them again with your fingers, and check for progress! If the ring looks the slightest bit out of round, or damaged on the edges…STOP!!! Take your ring to a jeweler to be on the safe side.
14. REPEAT THE ABOVE STEPS, CAREFULLY ALIENING THE RING ON THE COLLET BENCH…SLOW AND STEADY. Do not rush the job! Quality work takes time!
GOOD LUCK…ALWAYS START OFF SLOW UNTIL YOU DETERMINE HOW WELL AND HOW FAST YOUR DIFFERENT RINGS ARE STRETCHING. EVERY RING WILL STRETCH AT A DIFFERENT RATE AND EFFORT. AGAIN…GO SLOW.
IN NO WAY ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE TO YOUR RINGS OR PERSONAL INJURY FROM USING THIS APPARATUS.
(PREFERABLY…if you have an old ring to practice on FIRST…then do so).
These directions written by a customer of SERIOUS DETECTING (Sebastian Steve) who purchased and used this equipment with •great success• on a gold 18 karat men’s wedding band, recovered by the author from an 1870s Great Lakes Steamship, resting in 205 feet of water.
Thank you and Good Luck!
Garrett Pro Pointer AT Z-Lynk Waterproof Pinpointer Release
/0 Comments/in Breaking News /by Ewout KozelThis new pinpointer includes built-in Z-Lynk Wireless technology, allowing it to be paired to any Garrett Z-Lynk wireless receiver, including the MS-3 Z-Lynk Wireless Headphones. The Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk pinpointer retains the basic operating functions of the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT.
Outside of the Z-Lynk connection, the IP 68 rating for the new wireless Pro-Pointer AT and the existing Pro-Pointer AT has also been increased, allowing users to submerge the unit as deep as 20 feet (6 meters)!
The new Garrett Pro-Pointer AT Z-Lynk will be released SOON!
Learn more about this amazing pinpointer and subscribe to get an email notification when they are available.
Minelab Equinox Metal Detector instruction Manual
/0 Comments/in Product Manuals /by Ewout KozelProvided below are several user manuals for the Minelab Equinox 600 and 800 metal detectors.
Register your Minelab Equinox Metal Detector online
/0 Comments/in How to: Tips and Advice /by Ewout KozelHave you recently purchased a Minelab Equinox Metal Detector?
Minelab now has a online form to register your Equinox. You can click here to register your metal detector.
Differences Between Minelab Equinox 600 vs. Minelab Equinox 800 Metal Detectors
/0 Comments/in Breaking News, Product Reviews /by Serious DetectingMakro Pointer Waterproof Pinpointer Manuals
/0 Comments/in Product Manuals /by Serious DetectingProvided below is the user manual for the Makro Pointer waterproof pinpointer.
Minelab Pro-Find Series Metal Detectors Manuals
/0 Comments/in Product Manuals /by Serious DetectingProvided below are several user manuals for the Pro-Find Series pinpointers metal detectors.