[net.analog] ?re: metal detector

mae@weitek.UUCP (Mike Ekberg) (09/10/85)

I am looking for a simple, cheap and easy to build metal detector. I would
like a circuit diagram or a pointer to a book or article. Budget is $10-20.

I will use the device to detect metal(eg. nails,screws) in wood to a depth of 
several inches. The device should be portable and battery powered. 

Thanks in advance.

mike ...cae780!weitek!mae

dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) (09/18/85)

> I am looking for a simple, cheap and easy to build metal detector. I would
> like a circuit diagram or a pointer to a book or article. Budget is $10-20.

You should look around in the tool catalogs that the discount tool houses
send out, as well as Sears, (possibly.)  I bought a small hand-held metal
detector at a local hardware store for about $10 or $15.  It does just what
you are looking for.  I use it for finding pipes in walls, and nails. 
I've seen a similar unit in the "Dick Smith Electronics" catalog, as well as 
elsewhere.

P.S.:  If you want to use it for finding wall nails, as a stud locator, 
I rather highly recommend the stud finder in the Sears tool catalog.
They sell it for $25, but some harfware stores have the same unit for $20,
from the original manufacturer.  It is a dielectric sensing unit, and it 
finds the wood or the stud, rather than the nail, which may be off-center.
Works through plaster board, regular plaster, and paneling.
-- 
====================================================================
David Robins, M.D. 
Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences
2232 Webster St; San Francisco CA 94115
415/561-1705
			{ihnp4,qantel,dual}!ptsfa!ski!dr

The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of the Institute!