Blog — Treasure Topics

Super Strong Rare Earth Magnets Uses and Warnings

Rare earth magnets are used by metal detectorists for a variety of purposes.  Often we will fasten one to the end of our detector picks, shovels and other digging tools to help separate any iron that may be interfering with a signal in a plug we dig.  I have even fastened several of them together on a rake to remove iron scrap pieces from large areas before metal detecting.  Most frequently they are used for meteorite hunting.  Since a great deal of meteorites contain iron (sometimes in low percentages) these super strong magnets are really good for helping someone determine if an unusual rock may be a meteorite.

Although a useful tool, these magnets can be very, very, dangerous.  They come in all different sizes.  From only a few millimeters in diameter up to several inches. We only keep one at a time on display in the shop.  Children are prohibited from getting near them and even adults are warned not to play with them.  I tell them that by picking up the magnet they are effectively holding a loaded gun - and I am dead serious.  One time we got two 450lb magnets stuck together and it took two vehicles, back to back, to separate them.  

It is vital to understand how important....

FAQ: How do you find good metal detecting sites?

How to find good metal detecting sites is one of the most frequently asked questions we get here at High Plains Prospectors.  It is also the number one thing to consider when getting into metal detecting because the fact is:

Location is the number one factor to success in metal detecting.

For the most part, all metal detectors do the same thing.  They send our a radio wave and receive it back.  That information goes to some sort of processing "computer" and the machine provides feedback to the user to determine what the object beneath the earth might be.  Then the user decides whether or not they want to dig the target.  But, if there are no good targets to dig, the metal detector is totally worthless, right?  At least at that location anyway.

So, finding a site is a really important part of metal detecting.  In this article I am going to give you four ways (with actual resources you can use today) to start finding good sites to metal detect... 

Top Three Factors For Successful Metal Detecting

For those who are new to the sport of metal detecting, there are a lot of unknowns.  Some people are super skeptical about the hobby.  They don't think there are really treasures to be found underground.  They may detect for a short period, not find anything and get discouraged.  Take it from someone who has sold THOUSANDS of metal detectors and talks to thousands of detectorists across the country, there is buried treasure out there to be found.  It happens every day.

If you are a seasoned metal detectorist, you already know what I am about to say.  If you are new at the sport, listen closely as I am about to share with you three pieces of advice that will make you a successful metal detectorist.  In my opinion, they are the three most important factors in finding treasure...other than going out frequently.

Initially you may be thinking that I am going to tell you that you have to gear up with the best, most expensive gear available.  But, the amount you spend on a metal detector or other gear is not the most important factor at all.  In fact, I don't believe it is in the top five.  Below are the most important things to know about successful metal detecting....

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