Metal Detector For Reclaimed Wood

[lardy1]

I've never had one and never used one. I'm leaning into my girlfriends ideas about reclaiming but I'm concerned about knives and blades. It would be used on a hobbyist level rather than professional.

Suggestions? Basically looking for a starting point other than a basic Google search. Thanks.

 

[Hiball]

Sounds like you are looking for a pin pointer, versus a metal detector.

I suppose if your looking at reclaiming thicker lumber, a metal detector would be a better option and probably faster versus needing to use a pin pointer on both sides to check anything reliably over 4-5” thick.

 

[MrSurly]

I have done exactly the same thing when reusing a bunch of old siding planks. I have a metal detector, yet another hobby that i don't have actual *time* for. but the thing was a huge knife saver in the project. Super efficient to scan the boards or even a stack of boards before planing. Absolutely worth doing. Find a popular model on amazon, one that will be easy to sell locally when you are done...or keep it for something to do(!) Mine is a Garrett Ace 250 but there are hundreds to choose from. I used it to scan about 750 board foot of 105 siding. I detected probably ten or so invisible nail pieces and even some embedded/painted wire.
The key performance was that it missed ZERO. I didn't own a pin pointer to try, but I would not trust one for this task. It would be easy for me miss with it I think.

 

[Copymutt]

Same here. It’s tough enough on planer blades w/o nicks from hidden nails, screws. The added bonus, you get to locate those dropped bolts, screws etc.
Doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy.

 

[qqzj]

Get something to detect radiation as well. Google and you can find horror stories about using reclaimed wood.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RTM]

I have a little wizard II, shaped like an oversized razor. Not great for depth or speed. I would upgrade if you are going to do serious quantities of wood. Usually when we are resawing into veneer, one guy is detecting ahead of the three who are managing the cutting. Works OK, except when one guy forgets to check the full 12" width of his hard as heck soon to be guitar back, and we lost a blade mid cut.

https://www.rockler.com/little-wizard-ii

 

[Kay_poops]

Metal detecting is my serious hobby with several grand in machines and hundreds of hours of experience. For what you are wanting to do a very basic machine will do. Harbor Freight has a basic machine that is no frills, but works well. The Bounty Hunter Tracker is another super basic machine that are pretty easy to find on the used market. One thing to note is that any detector will pick up EMI from your electrical wiring. That interference will cause a lot of chatter and false readings. You may have to scan your lumber outside. You may be able to get away with using a strong neodymium magnet to find imbedded iron if your lumber is only a couple inches thick.

 

[MrSurly]

Other uses I've employed the detector for: locating a buried surveyor's pin (3/8" rebar over a foot underground); finding roofing nails that the magnet failed to lift; locating plumbing; figuring out which laundry basket held her ring.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Mugg the TSA guy the next time you fly and get his hand wand. LOL I have one made for lumber that I got at a shop sell out along with some other stuff. Haven't used it much but did work when I tried it out.

 

[CTyankee]

Metal detecting is my serious hobby with several grand in machines and hundreds of hours of experience. For what you are wanting to do a very basic machine will do. Harbor Freight has a basic machine that is no frills, but works well. The Bounty Hunter Tracker is another super basic machine that are pretty easy to find on the used market. One thing to note is that any detector will pick up EMI from your electrical wiring. That interference will cause a lot of chatter and false readings. You may have to scan your lumber outside. You may be able to get away with using a strong neodymium magnet to find imbedded iron if your lumber is only a couple inches thick.

Metal detecting is an occasional hobby of mine....Listen to this guy.
.

 

[PCustoms]

Get something to detect radiation as well. Google and you can find horror stories about using reclaimed wood.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

Got an example?

I googled and got nothing....

 

[Hiball]

I was watching one of my subscribed YouTube channels and it just so happens they started talking about tools for finding metal in wood. The product is called the lumber wizard, it’s the big brother of the little wizard 2 previously mentioned in this thread.

It can be found here if you want to see it in action, YouTube channel 1806Stonehouse It looks like it’s best to use the lumber wizard to find the hidden metal and then the little wizard to pinpoint it.

 

[carterbeauford]

Get something to detect radiation as well. Google and you can find horror stories about using reclaimed wood.

I thought all the millenials were building entire new homes out of pallets because they saw it on HGTV, I didn't know anyone had actually died from it.

 

[ScottsGT]

I used my Ace 250 on some old recycled Poplar beams. It missed the staple on the end and it put a nick in one of my planer blades.
I thought about getting a smaller wand that is hopefully more sensitive.

 

[lardy1]

From what I'm picking up I would probably have to spend way more than I'd ever get in return to get into any kind of comfort zone. I have two different metal detectors that I got from others and have never used. I may try that. I was hoping for a "magic wand" I guess.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Like RTM said, I too use a Little Wizard. I have access to barn wood from the farm and put it to use frequently. In fact as most recently as today.
I got it from Rockler and it works well as long as you keep a fresh 9 volt battery in it.
When working old oak or pine planks, it is great. It is not designed for depth but for your purposes, as mine, it is fine at finding nails or staples.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Pulled up an old thread. I have found the Little Wizard and the Zircon detector both at Lee Valley. Has anyone found another model or which is best. Went to use my metal detector and am having problems after lending it to the neighbour to find his keys when he put them through his snow blower Grrr!! No audio will play with it again tomorrow.

 

[RTM]

If I was doing it again, I would buy theWizard 5.

 

[lardy1]

FWIW, my girlfriend gifted me the Zircon. I've used it quite a few times and it does what I wanted it for.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

If I was doing it again, I would buy theWizard 5.

You ar probably right about the upgrade. In the end I bought the Wizard II for a ocouple of reasons it was available locally and the price was more in line with what I would spend. Extra $100+ is a extra $100+ I will likely blow on some other dodad.

FWIW, my girlfriend gifted me the Zircon. I've used it quite a few times and it does what I wanted it for.

Hang on to that girl she knows how to treat her man.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Got an example?

I googled and got nothing....

I found this, which is a bit troubling. I would imagine stuff that is shipped from certain areas get a scan?

Your furniture could be radioactive

Your furniture may be radioactive.

www.marketwatch.com