Doing what you “know” locks you in a prison of the past. Uncertainty is the path to an innovative future.
— Carl Smith (@carlsmith) October 16, 2012
A basic metal detector consists of an electronic box and battery case on one end, with a brace or handle for the operator’s arm. An insulated wire wraps around a telescoping shaft and into a round plastic disk called the coil. This disk comes off the shaft at an angle which allows it to be held parallel to the ground. The operator straps on or grips the electronic box and turns on the power. The idea is to slowly sweep the coil end over the ground until an electronic signal is heard. This lets the user know that some metallic element is buried directly beneath the area swept by the coil.