I Totally lost track, but I'm sure there have been over a thousand of this detector now built. I will show more Pictures as I recive them!All Persons Comments will be posted, Even if they are negative in nature. I am not here to sell this detector, But Just trying to offer a good project to those persons that are interested.
Lots of guys tell me they will send Pictures, but the actual pictures I recieve (from PCB's that I have sent out) is Less than 1%. I also have no idea on how many persons make there own PCB's, but I know there are quite a few of them also.
MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SENT ME PICTURES!
Newest Submissions are at the TOP Below, The older ones are at the Bottom of the page.
Most of the Pictures Recieved As of: "August 3, 2008" {Sorry, Some of the earlier pictures were Lost in a Computer Crash awhile ago.}
Calin's Metal Detector" in Germany. Calin's Only Comment was "Super Projects". Thanks for the pictures Calin. It Looks Good.
John's Metal Detector" in Australia. John had a specific box in his possession that he wanted to use, so he redesigned my pcb to fit that box and also used PC mount controls on it. Additionally he used Ni-Cad batterys and he added a simple charging circuit on the PCB. The Pictures John sent, shows his unit and some of his test results. "A Very Professional looking unit John. And Many Thanks for Sharing.
** Unfortunately there are no standard boxes available worldwide, or I would have also designed it this way. And also not everyone wants the same layouts.
Fabrizio's Metal Detector" in Toscana, Italy. Fabrizio says his detector detects a 5 Eurocent coin at 20 CM. He is now making a new coil for it to try for even better results.
"Vladis Metal Detector" in France. "And Items Vladis found" Vladis said he built this detector about 3 years ago, but just sent me this picture on "Mar 13, 2008". Vladis also created the Picture with his comments on it. By request, he than sent me a picture of the items he found. I posted these along with his email explaination of it all. Better late than never and It "ALL Looks Very Professional". THANKS Vladis!
Adrian's Metal Detector" in Kent, UK. Adrian built this detector himself using his own parts. He just bought the Circuit board from me. He used two 6 volt Gel cells in series to get 12 volts as it was Cheaper for him to do this. The Batterys are in a seperate box, Not shown. A Quote, One of his Comments: "Absolutely Bloody Marvellous little design!!, Not only boffo performance but idiot-proof too!! (and boy..... I've tested that aspect to its limit!!!) Adrian also made a very Favourable Comment on the performance of my flat coil design. but there was a lot of swearing as he tried to make it. However he is Very happy with the final results using it. He says, Quote: "I can clearly detect a "Bean Tin" sized aluminum light fitting at over 27 inches". Nice Nice Pictures Adrian.
Plamen's Metal Detector" in Bulgaria. Plamen built this detector himself, including making his own circuit boards. On One of the circuit boards Plamen used a "TS1117" which is just a Larger Package of the REG1117. Nice Job and Nice Pictures.
Don's Metal Detector" in Lakewood, Colorado. Don bought the PCB from me, but got the rest of the parts elsewhere to Built this detector. Here are his Comments as in his Email.
From: Don, Sent: September 10, 2006
Hi Gary: Just finished the PI metal detector electronics circuit assembly along with a less than perfect 8 inch test coil. So far am very impressed with the outcome when I know full well that my test coil is not perfect.
Attached are some pictures of the assembly along with pictures of gold and silver items used to test the detector.
First though, I opted to build the detector electronics unit to have a detached power supply that plugs into the circuitry via banana plugs. I also added a DC voltmeter to provide assurance that input voltage from the detached power supply was sufficient and correct. I also added an ear phone plug as an option.
The only issue I have is with the VR2 control to obtain a beep null. The first VR2 I installed was a single turn component and it was very difficult to find a click tone in the range that would be useful (by that I mean just an infinitesimal adjustment would go from a click to a steady shriek). I then purchased a 20 turn VR thinking that would solve the problem. It is improved but still way to sensitive. Any ideas you may have on this will be greatly appreciated. Other than that I am very pleased with the detector and looking forward to experimenting with better wound search coils of various configurations.
** My Note: I have never had this Problem. I think he has an error somewhere.
I'm planning on using a two coil ground cancelling configuration and will probably go for elliptical or rectangular setups.
Here are my results for the test items shown in the photos:
GOLD ITEMS -------------
Gold 1 OZ Australian coin = 12.5 inches flat side and 7.00 inches standing vertical
1/10 OZ U.S. gold coin = 8.0 inches flat side and 2.75 inches standing vertical
3/4 OZ 14K class ring = 10.0 inches
46.1 Gram gold ore sample = 9.5 inches
1.29 Gram nugget = 2.5 inches
1.00 Gram nugget = 2.5 inches
SILVER ITEMS ----------------
5 OZ silver bar = 11.0 inches flat side or 8.50 inches standing vertical
1 OZ silver bar = 10.5 inches flat side or 7.50 inches standing vertical
1883 U.S. silver dollar coin = 10.5 inches flat side or 7.50 inches standing vertical
0.20 OZ silver & turquoise ring = 7.5 inches
ALUMINUM CAN --------------
Slim Fast with ingredients inside = 23.0 inches long dimension or 19.00 top side.
These tests were done with the detector built with the parts as listed in the parts list. I would assume that my unit can be optomized to detect gold nuggets better than this, now that I have pure gold to use for setting it up. And I will be doing so this coming winter.
Thanks, Don
Joe's Metal Detector" in Hazlehurst, Georgia Joe Built this detector. His comment was it works Good. Joe says he can only get 11 inches on a 25 cent coin. It is housed in a thin wall PVC Pipe
Tinus's Metal Detector" in Johannesburg, South Africa Tenis Built this detector from Scratch, including the PCB. His comment was he can also detect a coin at 12 inches.
Javier's Metal Detector" in Cuba Javier Built this detector from Scratch, including the PCB. His comment was it works Good. Javier also said he made some modification on it to better suit his needs.
Gheorghe Daniel's Metal Detector" in Bucharest, Romania Daniel Built this detector from Scratch, including the PCB.
Geoff's Metal Detector" in Darwin, Australia I Believe Geoff supplied all his own parts. Geoff says he can detect a Pop Can at 15 inches and a 1.5 gram nugget at about 1.5 inches. Also a Plain Gold Ring at about 9 inches.
Darrel's Metal Detector" in Texas, USA Darrel Re-designed the PCB to make it Fit a Particular box that he liked. He said he is Sending me More Pictures on a CD
Manu's Metal Detector" in Topoloveni, Romania Manu built this himself, Including making the PCB. No parts from me. He says he is Very Pleased with it performance. Included is a picture of some artifacts, also a picture of Manu, his brother and a friend.
Steve's Metal Detector" in Bangor, Maine Just in Assembly Stages. Hopefully More to come.
Darren's Metal Detector and "40 inch Coil" in Willow Springs, NC Darren Says he is Very Pleased and Surprised how sensitive the unit is with his 40 inch Coil. His Friends are So Impressed that 3 of them now want my detector and his coil. His coil is 40 Inches Square, Wrapped with a Single 12 conductor (20awg Stranded) "Alfa Wire", Connected in series. But he says he only used 11 of the 12 wires. Thanks Darren, this info is Much Appreciated!
Jochen's Metal Detector in Hildesheim, North Germany. Jochen made Many Coils and sent me a lot of pictures. Too many to post here. He Says, Quote: the detector is so good, that I quit plans for the next time to make a Stronger unit.
William's Metal Detector in Geel Belgium. William Says he is Very Pleased and Surprised how sensitive the unit is. Quote: "A 50 Eurocent at 8 inches deep is not a problem". He also says he still has more work to do on the unit. The Picture with the boy is his Son "Tim". William supplied most of the parts himself, including the PCB. He had a few problems, But with my help, he got them solved. The Picture with the boy is his Son "Tim". Nice Job William.
Jaime's Metal Detector in Vallenar, Chile Excellent Job. Picture includes his Two Sons and a Nephew. The Battery Monitor Jaime used was also taken from my projects. Photo taken on the Atacam Desert in Chile, and boys are looking at a possible piece of meteorite in the one picture.
Michael's Metal Detector in Nebraska Picture 1, Michael using his detector. Picture 2, Best Looking Coil Yet. Picture 3, Battery on back of unit. Pictures 4 & 5, His Two possible handle configurations. Picture 6, Front View of detector.
Michael's Comments: It detects nails at 15 inches. (Dammit!) A Quarter at 12 inches, A Pop Can at 19 inches and a MiniVan at 3 feet.
Me: A Very Good Job and I Appreciate Both the Pictures and his Comments.
Jeff's Metal Detector in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jeff, 20 y/o made his own circuit board, Very Good Job. He used a battery from a dewalt Drill and made the connector from wood. Jeff had a few setbacks in constructing this, but he is Happy Now. Looks Good Jeff. Thanks for all the pictures, I posted as many as practical.
Uwe's Metal Detector in Germany Built it himself, no parts from me. "Looks GOOD Uwe", Have Fun...Gary.
His Daughter lost a ring in there garden 3 years ago.
With the help of my design he found it. He is Very Happy with the detector.Brad Hill's Newly Re-done Detector in Australia Brad sent me these pic's yesterday (June 9/04). Box fits on his belt. Brad says he has been busy and still needs to finish it and test it. Coil is DD type and water proof. Test Results to come soon, he hopes.
My First Proto Built with seperate box for the Electronics
My Second Proto This was built with a Digital Meter, and a Frisbee to enclose the coil. Note: This Reverse Handle, For ease of Balance. Additionally This Reverse Handle
"Makes the detector FEEL MUCH LIGHTER". "I Suggest you TRY IT FOR YOURSELF".Built by me for my Girlfriend's, Grandkids Again, Note the Reverse Handle, For ease of Balance.
Mike & Gary's Metal Detector in Ca, USA Mike Says, Quote: We were able to detect a quarter at 7-10", a can about 13-15", the Screwdriver in the picture was ringing strongly at about 7" and it was pointing upwards. Thanks for the comments, take care.....Gary
Brad Hill's Metal Detector in Australia Currently Brad's working to get it running on the DD Coil.
BRAD: NICE JOB ON MAKING THOSE COILS....Gary.Wayne's Metal Detector in England Looks Different.
Peter's Metal Detector Another Peter in Slovenia (Part of Ex-Yugoslavia Peter made his own Circuit Board. Says he is very pleased with the detectors performance.
Matti's Metal Detector in Germany Says his unit works Quite Well Under Water.
Gery's Metal Detector in Belgium
Peter's Metal Detector in Wales
Micheal's Metal Detector in Quebec, Canada
More units built by Micheal in Quebec, Canada For his Sons.
Glen's Metal Detector in Denmark
Ron's Metal Detector in Columbia MO, USA
Hugues Metal Detector, located in the "Sainte Genevieve des Bois, France"
Dan's Metal Detector In Alberta, Canada Dan says he can detect a 1 ounce gold piece at 3 feet. As you can see, he is using a multimeter instead of an analogue meter.
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