Probably, what this electronic device is intended for, it is not necessary to tell. Everything is clear to everyone. These devices are used by sappers, at airports, in special services, in various institutions, one way or another related to security. But that is not all.

Metal detector in the 90s

These devices in the 90s of the twentieth century helped people not to die of hunger. At that difficult time, one could often see young people and not only those who walked the streets with metal detectors. The device was used to search for metals and alloys. In particular, in cities near which large industries were located, it was possible to dig out real wealth with it.

Basically, these guys made metal detectors with their own hands and looked for waste from metallurgical plants or native metals that remained in the bowels of the earth. The latter were used in the construction of tracks. After all, many asphalt, and even dirt, roads were covered with slag, and often in its composition one could find metal and an alloy of iron and manganese - ferromanganese. In the late 90s, it has already risen in price enough. In one day of such work on city and country roads, one could earn as much as a worker at a factory earned in a week. Since many people were out of work, this activity became especially popular. After all, this alloy is one of the components for creating steels of various grades at the same metallurgical industries.

Metal detectors today

To date, the topic of research with the help of electronic devices not so widely developed. However, these devices are still popular among certain groups of people. They roam the places of former glory of the valiant Soviet soldiers, trying to dig up something valuable from the objects of history. For example, you can find coins of times Patriotic War, German naturally. And some people manage to dig up really valuable things. You just need to know where to look.

What can really be found?

If you don’t pick up the device yourself and walk along the roads of the city or through memorable and historical places, you will hardly believe how many interesting objects the earth holds. And for this it is worth building a metal detector with your own hands.

coins

You can often dig them out. At times Ancient Rus' coins of the Arab East were used for trade. Then they used coins of Byzantine and Tatar production. Silver bullion is now found in the form of money.

Today in the Crimea (namely, where you can find well-preserved objects) you can see people with these devices.

Crosses, icons, serpentines

The cross in Ancient Rus' was worn by every self-respecting Christian. All crosses were different from each other, depending on the type and its purpose. Often you can find the so-called vests.

Buckles, buttons, various household items

This group of items is very numerous. Most of them have been used since the Bronze Age and are still in use today. Often the objects were made of bronze, copper or iron.

Echoes of War

This is the most popular group of items that are targeted for search. They are especially popular with collectors. Enthusiasts are searching, getting, restoring. Something ends up in museums, something settles on the hands.

How to make a metal detector with your own hands

In the era of the popularity of ferromanganese and high prices for it, grubby youth did not shy away from digging in the ground to earn some money. More often they purchased devices to search for their prey in numerous markets or from various specialists who, by chance, were fired from radio factories or TV repair shops. One way or another, these professionals assembled the metal detector with their own hands from radio components remaining in stores using various schemes and technologies. The guys often argued about who had the better and more technologically advanced device. After all, then it was actually a working tool, and not a device for a hobby, as at the present time.

Do-it-yourself metal detectors were also made by those who knew at least a little about electronics. But these guys weren't interested in digging up a metallurgical ingredient from the ground. But it looks like we've gotten off topic.

Principle of operation

Before proceeding to the assembly of various circuits, you need to look at the principle of operation of these devices.

The operation of a metal detector is based on the principles of magnetic attraction. The device through one coil creates a magnetic field. The second receives feedback signals. Then, in case of a find, it sends a return signal through an audible signaling device. You can even make a special non-ferrous metal detector with your own hands.

How large sizes coil, the more sensitive the device will be. Although in modern devices, and especially in industrial models, the coil is small. But there are amplifiers on microcircuits.

Types

The ultra-low frequency seeker is the simplest device. Every student knows how to make a metal detector with their own hands using an ultra-low-frequency scheme. But this does not mean that such a searcher is inefficient. Just the opposite. With proper tuning, you can achieve good results.

The pulse seeker is a deeper apparatus. With it, you can easily find jewelry, coins and other small things at great depths. Such schemes are popular among professional treasure hunters.

A device that works on beats makes it possible to detect absolutely any metal or mineral object in the bowels of the earth at a depth of up to a meter. It is designed for certain types of alloys. This is a cheap device to build.

The radio detector is able to find metals at a depth of up to a meter. Make it simple. This is a suitable device for beginners, but is not popular among diggers.

Primitive metal detector on a single transistor

If you still have a long-wave radio receiver in working condition at home, then even if you are poorly versed in electronics, you can assemble a metal detector attachment for this receiver.

To make a metal detector with your own hands, the circuit is drawn without much difficulty. The circuit diagram is the most common LC oscillator, designed for frequencies in the region of 140 kHz. The coil for the device, which is used as an oscillatory circuit, must contain 16 turns of the simplest insulated wire up to 0.5 mm in diameter. The coils must be laid on plywood suitable sizes. The resulting contour is fixed to the base with glue. This is how a do-it-yourself coil for a metal detector is usually made.

Required Parts

Resistors and capacitors for this device can be used absolutely any. As a transistor, a low-power high-frequency one with reverse conduction will suffice. This may be the popular and easily accessible KT315. Or KT3102 with any letter index.

To assemble this simple metal detector with your own hands, the circuit is assembled either by surface mounting or on a pre-prepared board made of getinax or textolite.

Setting up a simple metal detector

After the part is ready, you need to place it next to our coil. The device should have a comfortable handle. The radio receiver must be mounted on the handle of the finder, and then tuned to a frequency in the region of 140 kHz. You will hear a squeak or creak. If you bring the coil closer to a metal object, the sound in the headphones will change its tone.

Despite the fact that these are the simplest metal detectors in terms of design and scheme, it is elementary easy to make them with your own hands, the sensitivity of such devices makes it possible to work at depths up to 200 mm.

High frequency finder

This assembly scheme is a little more complicated than the previous one. But also much more efficient. Its difference is that there are two coils.

The first is the outer contour. This coil creates a direct magnetic field. The second is the receiving circuit. This detail is designed to receive, process, amplify the signals that come from the ground.

We make a deep metal detector with our own hands

First you need to assemble the so-called command block. Suitable for creating old computer, the same old laptop or radio. Then you need to find the highest frequency in the AM band. You need to make sure that there is no radio station on the frequency.

search head

To assemble the search head, you need to cut two circles from thin plywood. One of them should have a diameter of about 15 cm, the second should be made a little smaller. This is done so that the rings can be inserted into each other. Then we need to cut out small pieces of wood so that our head rings are parallel.

After that, 10-15 turns of enameled wire with a cross section of 0.25 mm should be removed from the plates from the outer circle. You also need to fix the resulting structure. To make it work, you need to connect the head from below, and the detector - from above.

It's time to turn on our frequency. In this case, a faint tonal sound will be heard. It's better to use headphones.

Metal detector "Pirate"

Assembling the device is quite easy. The device circuit does not contain programmable microcircuits, it is easy to make and configure this metal detector with your own hands. Detailed instructions will help. Also, this scheme does not contain expensive or scarce parts. "Pirate" in its parameters can surpass foreign, rather expensive industrial analogues.

Options

For power, you need from 9 to 12 V. The current that the device consumes is up to 40 mA. Sensitivity will be up to 150 cm, subject to large metal objects.

How is the element base for a metal detector made?

The "Pirate" type scheme consists of two nodes. This is a transmission circuit, which consists of a pulse generator on KR1006VI1 and a key from an IRF740 transistor. The receiver is made on the basis of the K157UD2 chip and the VS547 transistor.

The coil should be 190 mm in diameter. The number of turns on the PEV wire is 0.5 - 25. The transistor in the circuit can be pulled out of an ordinary economy light bulb or any mobile charger. A properly assembled metal detector "Pirate" with your own hands practically does not need to be adjusted.

"Terminator"

The device has good features. For example, the device will detect a coin with a face value of 5 Russian rubles from 25 cm. The searcher will recognize a German military helmet from 80 cm. These values ​​​​are given under the condition of a coil with a diameter of 240 mm. "Terminator" can recognize metals even at the maximum depth of work.

It is worth saying that beginners are unlikely to be able to assemble the Terminator metal detector with their own hands. The device requires careful adjustment. Even experienced craftsmen sometimes they make mistakes when assembling this circuit. The main thing here is not to rush.

In order to assemble the Terminator, you will need a multimeter, as well as an oscilloscope and an LC meter. They are not available to everyone. However, you can try to create a special software and hardware complex based on a regular home personal computer.

Description

The terminator is a single-tone device that operates on pulsed beats. The finder is great for finding coins. Also, if you make small improvements, you can search for gold on the beaches, while completely ignoring any other metals. "Terminator" is also suitable for searching for any other objects from any alloys.

In conclusion

So, we found out how to make a Pirate metal detector with our own hands, we also examined the Terminator. As you can see, by devoting the minimum amount of free time and effort to the assembly, you can get a rather interesting, and most importantly, a workable tool with which you can find ancient objects, and possibly expensive coins.

Searching for artifacts underground is a fairly popular activity. For some, this is a profession, someone is simply fond of archeology. There are numerous groups of treasure hunters: both romantics and pragmatic treasure hunters. All these people are united by one passion: the search for metal objects hidden at various depths.

If you have an accurate map showing the location of the treasure, or plans for fighting during the war, this does not guarantee success. You can shovel tons of soil, and the object you are looking for will lie quietly a couple of meters from the place of active search.

To search for gold, and less valuable metals, you will need a DIY metal detector.

Important information: The use of such devices is not prohibited by law. However, there are penalties for the consequences of such a search, concerning excavation, as well as the extraction of discovered objects.

We will not go into subtleties, this is the topic of another article. Simply put: if you find a golden ring on the beach, or a handful of Soviet coins in the forest, there will be no problems associated with the use of electronic search tools.

But for the extracted bronze spoons aged 100 years and older, you can get a real term or a large fine.

Nevertheless, devices for searching for metal objects in the thickness of the earth are freely sold, and those who want to save money can make a metal detector with their own hands at home.

The principle of operation of the device

Unlike ground detectors, which operate using waves of various frequencies or ultrasound, a metal detector (factory-made or self-made) operates with an inductance.

The coil emits an electromagnetic field, which is then analyzed by the receiver. If any object that conducts electric current or has ferromagnetic properties is in the coverage area, the field format is distorted. More precisely, under the influence of the active field of the coil, the object forms its own. This event is recorded by the receiver, and an alert is generated: the arrow of the device moves, a tone sounds, the indicator lights light up.

Knowing the method of work, you can calculate the electrical circuit, and create a powerful metal detector with your own hands. The complexity of the design depends only on the availability of the element base and your desire. Consider several popular options for how to assemble a homemade metal detector:

The so-called "butterfly"

This nickname is derived from the characteristic shape of the platform on which the inductors are located.

The location of the elements is related to the principle of operation. The circuit is made in the form of two generators operating at the same frequency. When connecting identical coils to them, an induction balance is created. As soon as a foreign object with electrical conductivity gets into the electromagnetic field, the field balance is destroyed.

Generators are implemented on NE555 chips. The illustration shows a typical diagram of such a device.

A coil for a metal detector (there are two of them, in the diagram: L1 and L2) is made by hand from a wire with a cross section of 0.5–0.7 mm². Perfect option- transformer winding copper core in varnish insulation (removed from any unnecessary transformer). Characteristics do not have to be maintained with jewelry accuracy, on one condition: the coils must be the same.

Approximate parameters: diameter 190 mm, each coil has exactly 30 turns. The assembled product must be monolithic. To do this, the turns are seized with a mounting thread, and filled with transformer varnish. If this is not done, the vibration of the turns will throw the circuit off the tuned balance.

Wiring diagram

There are two manufacturing options:

• given the small number of elements, you can assemble it on a breadboard by connecting the legs of the parts using conductors;
• for accuracy and reliability, it is better to etch the board according to the proposed drawing.

Any soldering "on snot" can fail in the field, and you will be offended for wasted time.

Just like a transistor metal detector, the NE555 needs to be fine-tuned before use. The diagram shows three variable resistors:

• R1 is designed to adjust the frequency of the generator and achieve that same balance;
• R2 coarsely adjusts the sensitivity;
• using resistor R3, you can set the sensitivity with an accuracy of 1 cm.

Info: This circuit cannot discriminate against metals. The seeker only makes it clear that the object exists. And by the tone of the signal (based on your experience), you can determine the approximate volume and depth of occurrence.

The power supply is quite universal: 9-12 volts. You can pick up a battery from an uninterruptible power supply, or assemble a power supply from AAA batteries. A good option is 18650 batteries (they are also used for vaping).

Butterfly setting

The principle of operation is described above, so let's just analyze the technology. We set all the resistors to the middle position, and ensure the disruption of the synchronization of the generators. To do this, we add the coils in a figure-of-eight, and move them relative to each other until the squeak develops into crackling. This is the breakdown of synchronization.

We fix the rings, and rotate the resistor R1 until a steady crackle appears at even intervals.

Bringing metal objects to the place of overlap of the coils (this is the search point), achieve a stable squeak. Sensitivity is adjustable by resistor R2.

It remains to adjust the resistor R3, which is used rather to correct the voltage drop in the power supply.

Mechanical

Do-it-yourself metal detector rod is made of light plastic pipes or wood. The use of aluminum is undesirable as it will interfere with the work. The circuit and controls can be hidden in a sealed enclosure (for example, a junction box for wiring).

The butterfly finder is ready to go.

Pirate

Another popular impulse model for beginner treasure hunters is the Pirate metal detector. It is also easy to do it yourself, detailed instructions in two versions:

It is desirable to bring the power closer to 12 volts, since the quality of work depends on the voltage. Printed circuit boards have already been tested, both options are shown in the illustration.

The coil (in this case, one) is made from the same 0.5 mm transformer wire. Optimum diameter 20 mm, number of turns 25. Since we make the Pirate metal detector with our own hands, the external design fades into the background. Any materials that you were ready to throw away will do.

The handle is best made detachable, for ease of transportation. Remember that the use of metals is unacceptable.

Sensitivity is adjusted by two variable resistors in real time while searching. No fine tuning of the generator is required.

And if you manage to properly seal the hull, you can search for "treasures" in the beach surf, and even at the bottom of the reservoir.

Do-it-yourself underwater metal detector is more difficult to make, but it will give an undeniable advantage over competitors.

Performance Improvement

A do-it-yourself deep metal detector can be made from a ready-made Pirate at no additional cost. To do this, you can go in two ways:

1. Increasing the diameter of the inductor. This significantly increases the downward permeability, but reduces the sensitivity to small objects.
2. Reducing the number of turns of the coil with simultaneous adjustment of the circuit. To do this, you will have to sacrifice one coil for experiments. We remove (and cut off) turn by turn until we see that the sensitivity began to decrease. We remember the number of turns at the maximum parameters, and make a new coil for this circuit. Then we change the resistor R7 to a variable one, with similar power parameters. After conducting several experiments with sensitivity, we fix the resistance, change the variable to a constant resistor.

The Pirate metal detector can be assembled on the popular Arduino controller.

It is more convenient to use such a device, but there will still be no discrimination against metals.

Having figured out how to make a metal detector with your own hands for amateur tasks, we will briefly analyze several serious models.

Do-it-yourself Clone PI W metal detector

In fact, this is a cheaper version of the professional Clone PI-AVR finder, only a line of LEDs is used instead of an LCD display. This is not so convenient, but still allows you to control the depth of artifacts.

The best-priced option is based on the CD4066 chip and the ATmega8 microcontroller.

Of course, there is also a printed circuit board layout for this solution, only the control buttons are placed on a separate panel.

Programming ATmega8 is a topic for a separate article, if you have worked with such controllers, no difficulties will arise.

The powerful do-it-yourself Clone PI W metal detector allows you to find metal no more than a meter deep, though without discrimination.

Seeker "Chance"

A similar circuit on the ATmega8 controller is called "Chance". The principle of operation is similar, only the possibility of screening (partial discrimination) of ferrous metals has appeared.

A printed circuit board drawing has also been worked out, which can be successfully replaced with a classic “breadboard” for Arduino

"Terminator 3" do it yourself

If you need a homemade metal detector with metal discrimination, pay attention to this model. The scheme is quite complicated, but your work pays off with the coins found, which may turn out to be gold.

The peculiarity of the "Terminator" is the separation of the receiving and transmitting coils. To emit a signal, a 200 mm ring is made. 30 turns of wire are laid for it, then it is cut, as a result we get 2 half-coils with a total capacity of 60 turns (see diagram).

The receiving coil is located inside, 48 turns with a diameter of 100 mm.

The adjustment is made using an oscilloscope, after reaching the optimal results in amplitude, the windings are fixed in the housing by pouring epoxy resin.

Then an experimental practical setting of the discrimination switch is made. For this, real objects from various metals are used, and their type is applied on the mode switch (after verification).

Radio amateurs are working on an improved version of the Terminator 4, but there is no practical copy yet.

Simple metal detectors from ready-made electrical appliances

Outcome

Regardless of the complexity of the scheme, making a homemade metal detector will require enough time and effort from you. Therefore, out of curiosity, such devices are not made. But for professional use - this is a great alternative to factory copies.

Related videos

This type of design is designed to search for coins. Its assembly process is quite simple. However, experience in assembling such a tool is still necessary. The Terminator is able to detect an item even if the target of capture is minimal.

To get started, prepare necessary equipment, namely:

• multimeter that measures speed.
• LC meter.
• Oscilloscope.

Next, you need to find a diagram with a breakdown into nodes. Now you can make a printed circuit board, into which jumpers, resistors, panels for microcircuits and other parts should be soldered in order. The next step is to flush the board with alcohol. Be sure to check for defects. Whether the board is in working order can be checked as follows:

1. Turn on the power.
2. Unscrew the sensitivity control until no sound is heard in the speaker.
3. Touch the sensor connector with your fingers.
4. When turned on, the LED should flash and then turn off.

If all actions have taken place, then everything is done correctly. Now you can make a coil. It is necessary to prepare a winding enamel wire with a diameter of 0.4 mm, which must be folded in half. A circle is drawn on a sheet of plywood, having a diameter of 200 mm and 100 mm. Now you need to drive nails in a circle, the distance between them should be 1 cm.

Next, you can proceed to winding the turns. At 200 mm, you should make them 30, and at 100 - 48. Then the first coil must be impregnated with varnish, when it dries, you can wrap it with thread. The thread can be removed, and by soldering the middle, you get a whole winding of 60 turns. After the coil must be wrapped with electrical tape quite tightly. And a foil of 1 cm is superimposed on top, this will be a screen, another electrical tape is wound on top of it. The ends should come out.

On the second coil, it is also necessary to solder the middle. In order to start the generator, you need to connect the first coil to the board. The second coil should be wrapped with a wire of 20 turns, then we connect it to the board. Now you need to connect the oscilloscope minus to minus to the board, and the plus is connected to the coil. Be sure to look at what frequency will be when turned on and remember it or fix it on paper.

Now the coils must be put in a special form, then to fill them with resin. Next, the oscilloscope is connected to the board, with a negative pole, the amplitude should reach zero. Coils in the form are filled with resin to about half the depth. When everything is ready, the metal discrimination scale is adjusted.

List of parts for metal detector terminator 3

As parts for the trio metal detector you will need:

If you have these details, you can assemble the terminator pro metal detector on your own.

Scheme of a metal detector with metal discrimination

Do-it-yourself metal detector with metal discrimination can be made using the scheme for the Chance impulse device. The process of making a coil is quite simple.

The diagram itself can be found on the Internet. But still, experience in assembling such devices will be useful. Assembling the metal detector should begin with the board.

After the board is made, it is necessary to flash the microcontroller. And at the end of the work, we connect the metal detection device to the power supply.

Do-it-yourself metal detector without microcircuits

Homemade equipment can be made without complex microcircuits, but using a simple transistor generator. The metal detector will be without discrimination. He will detect objects in the ground 20 centimeters deep, and in dry sand - 30 centimeters. In this device, the transmitting and receiving coils work simultaneously.

Coil for metal detector terminator 3

To begin with, you should take the winding enamel, having a diameter of 0.4 mm. Fold it so that there are two ends and two beginnings. Next, it is worth winding from two coils at a time.

Now we need to make a transmitting and receiving coil, for this, two circles of 200 mm and 100 mm are drawn on a plywood sheet. Carnations are driven in according to these circles, the distance between them should be 1 cm. 30 turns are wound on a large mandrel with enamel wire. Then you should apply varnish to the coil and wrap it with a thread, then remove it from the winding and solder the middle. So you get one middle wire and two extreme wires.

The resulting coil should be wrapped with electrical tape and put on top of a piece of foil, and foil again on top. The ends of the windings must come out.

Now it's time to move on to the receiving coil. 48 turns are already wound here. To start the generator, you need to connect the transmitting coil to the board. The middle wire is connected to negative. And the receiving coil does not use the middle terminal. For the transmitting coil, a compensating coil is needed, on which 20 turns are wound.

We connect the oscilloscope to the board as follows: the probe with a minus to the minus of the board, and the positive probe to the coil. Be sure to measure the frequency of the coils and record it.

After connecting the coils according to the scheme, they must be placed in a special container and filled with resin. Now the oscilloscope is set to divide time (10 ms and 1 volt per cell). Now you should reduce the amplitude to zero. We wind the turns until the volt value reaches zero. We make a compensating loop at the coil, which will be outside.

Half of the mold should be spilled with resin. When everything hardens, you need to connect the oscilloscope and bend the loop inward. Then twist it until the amplitude value becomes minimal. After the loop must be glued, the balance checked, and now you can fill the second half of the container with resin. The coil is ready to go.

Metal detector coil repair

Before proceeding with the repair, you should prepare the following tools:

• Stationery knife;
• Incandescent lamp;
• Container for glue, preferably flat;
• Special or epoxy resin;
• Medium and fine emery;
• Small spatula.

First of all, you need to dry the coil with an incandescent lamp. And with the help of a clerical knife, expand the cracks on it. Squeeze the glue onto a flat surface and mix with a spatula. Apply given substance to the coil. In places of cracks, you can apply more resin. Now it's worth waiting until it all hardens thoroughly. And then process with emery, using medium first, and then fine. This procedure will help smooth out all the bumps. In such a fairly simple way, you can reanimate the oldest coil from a metal search device.

Parameters of metal detectors depending on the purpose and technical device

Metal detectors for amateurs are the simplest devices of a dynamic type. The search head of the device must constantly move, only in this way the desired signal can appear. If you stop moving, the signal will disappear. Such simple detectors are convenient because they do not require complex settings and allow excluding medium soils. Among the shortcomings, we have to note its weak sensitivity and frequent false alarms in difficult areas.

The scanning speed of the device is about 30 centimeters per second

Middle class devices have better sensitivity. In the factory, this device comes with several search heads different sizes. To set up the detector, certain skills are required. Middle class metal detectors are capable of recognizing metals.

Computerized devices are already professional tool with liquid crystal display and pointer indication. In the memory of its processor, programs are loaded that are capable of recognizing and distinguishing a signal, classifying each detected object. Professionals independently program devices under search conditions, excluding unwanted triggers.

Tools for searching for gold work not only on coins and jewelry located in the ground, but also on native metal. It is not suitable for searching for small particles, such as sand. He does not recognize them, especially if the soil has a high mineralization.

Otherwise, these metal detectors are very sensitive and work great, for example, when looking for gold jewelry in the sand of the beach.

Depth detectors are designed to search for objects located at an impressive depth. They can detect metal at a depth of up to 6 meters, while the other models "punch" only up to 3. Such devices recognize voids and other internal soil anomalies. Deep detectors work on two coils, one is parallel to the ground surface, the other is perpendicular.

Stationary detectors are frames installed at especially important protected objects. They calculate any metal objects in the bags and pockets of people passing through the loop.

What types of metal detectors can be made at home with your own hands

Detectors are divided into 5 main types according to the principle of detecting the desired object.

Consider which of the metal detectors are suitable for DIY at home:

Type	Peculiarities	Is it suitable for DIY
Reception-transmission	Works with two induction coils. In the absence of the desired object, the signal does not pass into the receiving coil.	Yes
Induction	Combines the functions of both coils. The signal is constant, changing when metal is detected.	No, as a rule, there are difficulties with isolating the effective signal.
Frequency meter based	The design of the device includes an LC generator that changes frequency when metal objects are detected. Has low sensitivity.	Yes
With Q-meter	It has an LC generator signal analyzer. Doesn't work well at low temperatures.	Yes
Pulse	Based on the transmission of eddy pulsed currents. The signal changes its character depending on the type of metal detected.	Yes

And now more about how to make a simple metal detector with your own hands using the Pirate design as an example.

Homemade metal detector "Pirate": a diagram and a detailed description of the assembly

If you are just thinking about how to make a homemade metal detector, do not try to take on complex models. Start with a simple but effective Pirate. The name was invented by the author of a homemade product from a combination of Pi (impulse) and Ra-t (radioscope). The name stuck, and the users liked the simple and understandable assembly scheme so much that the “Pirate” became one of the most popular homemade products in this area. Currently, there are already 4 modifications of the "Pirate" scheme. The metal detector is simply assembled by hand, without the use of any specific tools.

The only drawback of this device is that in a do-it-yourself metal detector there is no scheme for working with metal discrimination. But for a novice treasure hunter, this is not essential.

In addition to the parts needed for assembly, you will need a soldering iron, a screwdriver, and electrical tape to work.

Parts for assembling a metal detector

To make the device, you will need to purchase:

• ceramic capacitor - 1 nF;
• 2 film capacitors - 100 nF;
• electrolyte capacitors: 10 microfarad (16 V) - 2 pieces, 2200 microfarad (16 V) - 1 piece, 1 microfarad (16 V) - 2 pieces, 220 microfarad (16 V) - 1 piece;
• resistors - 7 pieces per 1; 1.6; 47; 62; 100; 120; 470 kOhm and 6 pieces for 10, 100, 150, 220, 470, 390 Ohm, 2 pieces for 2 Ohm;
• variable resistors - 3 pieces for 10 and 100 kOhm, 400 Ohm (1W);
• transistors - 3 pieces, BC557, IRF740, BC547;
• 2 diodes 1N148;
• 2 microcircuits: K157UD2 and NE555.

In addition to the listed details, stock up on headphones from the player

You will also need plastic pipe for a rod, batteries or 9V accumulators and a PEV wire with a diameter of 0.8 mm.

For your information! Many are interested in how to make a metal detector out of your phone with your own hands. Some developers even offer programs that you can download to your phone and use for this purpose. Serious radio amateurs can only advise you to use some spare parts - for example, a headphone input or a battery, perhaps a circuit board.

Do-it-yourself metal detector schemes

The simplest Pirate scheme looks like this.

The board can be placed in a pocket receiver case or any plastic box that is convenient in size, even simple junction boxes from an electrician's arsenal are suitable.

Important point! To get rid of possible interference when touching the device controls, all cases of variable resistors are connected to the minus of the board.

If you want to take your experiments further, here is a diagram for making a metal detector with a gold reference.

Scheme of the metal detector "Terminator 4" with increased sensitivity

If you correctly assembled the circuit, the device will work properly. Possible problems with microchip.

How to assemble a metal detector circuit board with your own hands

The circuit board layout of the metal detector is quite simple. It can be conditionally divided into several blocks:

• search coil assembly;
• transistor audio amplifier;
• pulse generator;
• two channel amplifier.

This is how it looks.

The pulse generator is assembled on the NE555 timer. Through the selection of C1 and 2 and R2 and 3, the frequency is adjusted. The pulses obtained as a result of scanning are transmitted to transistor T1, and it transmits a signal to transistor T2. Amplification of the audio frequency occurs on the transistor BC547 to the collector, and headphones are connected.

For your information! You can make a metal detector with your own hands without microcircuits. On the net you will find many analog circuits based on transistor oscillators. Such devices will detect metal at a depth of up to 20 centimeters in the ground and up to 30 in loose sand.

How to make a coil for a metal detector with your own hands

The coil is an important part of the device. It can be made from copper wire or twisted pair. Read more in our master class.

Coil of copper wire

Illustration	Action Description
	For the coil, copper wire with a diameter of 0.5 mm is suitable.
	For winding, prepare such a board with guides. The distance between the guides should be equal to the diameter of the base on which you will mount the coil.
	Wind the wire around the perimeter of the fasteners in 20-30 turns.
	Fasten the winding with electrical tape in several places.
	Remove the winding from the base and give it a rounded shape.
	Choose a base that will hold its shape. It can be a lid from a plastic bucket or a wooden hoop for needlework.
	Connect the circuit to the device and test its operation.
	The assembled coil of wire may look like this.
	To test the operation of the device, pass metal objects over the coil at different heights.

Twisted pair coil

Illustration	Action Description
	Roll the wire into two skeins as shown in the photo, leaving two ends about 10 centimeters each.
	Strip the winding and free the wires for connection.
	Connect the wires as shown in the diagram.
	Solder the ends of the wires for better contact.
	Test the coil in the same order as the copper wire coil.

Advice! If you want to make a more powerful do-it-yourself coil for a metal detector, give it an elliptical shape.

Detailed instructions for setting up a do-it-yourself Pirate metal detector

For final assembly appliance, you will need a plastic pipe. The assembly scheme is simple. The sensitivity of the detector is adjusted using potentiometers. Achieve the result so that it recognizes a coin from a distance of 30 centimeters. He will “hear” large metal deposits for a meter and a half. "Pirate" does not recognize non-ferrous metals under you or ferrous, so here you just have to dig, and it is possible that you will stumble upon an old trough, and not a coveted treasure. But in this case, you can take it not by quality, but by quantity, because any metal can be handed over to a recycling center.

It is possible that you are lucky, and all the work will not be in vain

How the "Pirate" assembly will look like - in the next video. It remains only to note that the kit for the manufacture of this device can be bought on the Internet. By the way, it comes with detailed instructions on how to make a metal detector at home from the kit parts.

Features of deep metal detectors

A deep metal detector is attractive because it can detect objects where other devices are powerless. A good do-it-yourself deep metal detector looks to a depth of 6 meters, and it is not disturbed by roots, voids or other obstacles. One caveat - with its help you can only detect large objects, and this is understandable, because for the sake of a couple of coins you will not dig a six-meter hole.

And again we return to the same universal model of the Pirate detector. It turns out that on its basis it is possible to make a deep device, and it is not difficult at all. The modification process is described in this video.

Device search is just huge popularity. Looking for adults and children, and amateurs and professionals. They are looking for treasures, coins, lost things and buried scrap metal. And the main tool for searching is a metal detector.

There is a great variety of different metal detectors for every “taste and color”. But for many people, buying a ready-made branded metal detector is simply financially expensive. And someone wants to assemble a metal detector with their own hands, and someone even builds their own small business on assembling them.

Homemade metal detectors

In this section of our site about homemade metal detectors, I will collect: best schemes metal detectors, their descriptions, programs and other data for making a metal detector with your own hands. There are no metal detector circuits from the USSR and circuits on two transistors here. Since such metal detectors are only suitable for a visual demonstration of the principles of metal detection, they are not at all suitable for real use.

All metal detectors in this section will be quite technologically advanced. They will have good search characteristics. And a well-assembled home-made metal detector will be a little inferior to factory counterparts. Basically, various schemes of pulsed metal detectors and schemes of metal detectors with metal discrimination are presented here.

But for the manufacture of these metal detectors, you will need not only desire, but also certain skills and abilities. We tried to break down the schemes of the given metal detectors according to the level of complexity.

In addition to the basic data required to assemble a metal detector, there will also be information on the required minimum level of knowledge and equipment for self-manufacturing of a metal detector.

To assemble a metal detector with your own hands, you will definitely need:

This list will include necessary tools, materials and equipment, for self assembly all metal detectors without exception. For many circuits, you will also need various additional equipment and materials, here are just the basic ones for all circuits.

1. Soldering iron, solder, tin and other soldering accessories.
2. Screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters and other tools.
3. Materials and skills for the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
4. Minimum experience and knowledge in electronics and electrical engineering as well.
5. As well as straight arms - they will be very useful when assembling a metal detector with your own hands.

Here you can find schemes for self-assembly of the following models of metal detectors:

The design and principle of operation of the device

Metal detectors on the market operate on different principles. Many believe that they use the principle of pulsed echo or radar. Their difference from locators lies in the fact that the transmitted and received signals operate constantly and simultaneously, in addition, they operate at the same frequencies.

The principle of operation of the metal detector

Devices operating on the principle of "reception-transmission" register the signal reflected (re-radiated) from a metal object. This signal appears due to the impact on a metal object of an alternating magnetic field, which is generated by the metal detector coils. That is, the design of devices of this type provides for the presence of two coils, the first is transmitting, the second is receiving.

Metal detector scheme

Devices of this class have the following advantages:

• simplicity of design;
• great ability to detect metallic materials.

At the same time, metal detectors of this class have certain disadvantages:

• metal detectors can be sensitive to the composition of the soil in which they search for metal objects.
• technological difficulties in the production of the product.

In other words, devices of this type must be configured by hand before operation.

Other devices are sometimes referred to as a beat detector. This name comes from the distant past, more precisely from the time when superheterodyne receivers were widely used. Beating is a phenomenon that becomes noticeable when two signals with close frequencies and equal amplitudes are summed. The beating consists in pulsing the amplitude of the summed signal.

The pulse frequency of the signal is equal to the difference in the frequencies of the summed signals. By passing such a signal through a rectifier, it is also called a detector, the so-called difference frequency is isolated.

Such a scheme was used for a long time, but today, it is not used. They were replaced by synchronous detectors, but the term remained in use.

The beat metal detector works using the following principle - it registers the frequency difference from two generator coils. One frequency is stable, the second contains an inductor.

The device is set up by hand so that the generated frequencies match or at least are close. As soon as metal enters the coverage area, the set parameters change and the frequency changes. Frequency difference can be registered different ways ranging from headphones to digital methods.

Devices of this class are characterized by a simple sensor design, low sensitivity to the mineral composition of the soil.

But besides this, during their operation it is necessary to take into account the fact that they have high energy consumption.

Typical design

The structure of the metal detector includes the following components:

1. The coil is a box-type design, it houses the receiver and transmitter of the signal. Most often, the coil has an elliptical shape and polymers are used for its manufacture. A wire is connected to it, connecting it to the control unit. This wire transmits the signal from the receiver to the control unit. The transmitter generates a signal when metal is detected, which is transmitted to the receiver. The coil is installed on the lower rod.
2. The metal part on which the coil is fixed and its angle of inclination is adjusted is called the lower rod. Thanks to this solution, a more thorough examination of the surface occurs. There are models in which the lower part can adjust the height of the metal detector and provides a telescopic connection with the rod, which is called the middle one.
3. The middle shaft is the node located between the lower and upper shafts. Fixing devices are fixed on it, allowing you to adjust the size of the device. on the market you can find models that consist of two rods.
4. The top bar, as a rule, has a curved appearance. It resembles the letter S. This form is considered optimal for fixing it on the hand. An armrest, a control unit and a handle are installed on it. The armrest and handle are made of polymeric materials.
5. The metal detector control unit is required to process the data received from the coil. After the signal is converted, it is sent to headphones or other means of indication. In addition, the control unit is designed to adjust the operating mode of the device. The wire from the coil is connected using a quick-release device.

Metal detector design

All devices included in the metal detector are waterproof.

This is the relative simplicity of the design and allows you to make metal detectors with your own hands.

Varieties of metal detectors

The market offers a wide range of metal detectors used in many areas. Below is a list that shows some of the varieties of these devices:

soil model Deep metal detector underwater vehicle security device Industrial metal detector

1. Ground. These devices are designed for do-it-yourself search for scrap metal, jewelry, coins, etc.
2. Deep. These devices are used to search for the above metal products at great depths.
3. Underwater. Devices of this type are designed to work underwater. They can work at different depths.
4. Metal detectors for searching for gold. These devices allow you to find gold and jewelry for it in any environment.
5. Security devices. These devices are used to detect metal products on the human body and in luggage. Such devices are made in the form of arches and are installed at the entrance to crowded places, for example, at railway stations, shopping centers, etc.
6. Industrial. This equipment is part of the conveyor lines. Their main task is to detect metal in other substances. For example, in the extracted sand-soil mixture.
7. Army. The military uses such devices to detect mines, unexploded ordnance, bombs, etc. with their own hands. The military calls such devices mine detectors.
8. Do-it-yourself devices are most often assembled by novice “treasure hunters”.

Usage modern materials allows you to design and manufacture devices with high accuracy in detecting metals in different environments. The use of microelectronics made it possible to minimize their overall weight parameters. In addition, the simplicity of the electrical circuit allows minimal cost make a metal detector with your own hands.

Main settings

Like any technical device the metal detector has certain parameters that characterize their functional properties.

Depth of detection

In the first place is the depth of metal detection. By the way, many companies producing such devices do not show the maximum depth at which their products can detect metal products. And if such a figure is indicated, then most likely these are data obtained during laboratory tests. That is, real, field conditions are significantly different from laboratory (polygon).

This means that when doing real work with your own hands, the detection depth will be somewhat less than indicated in the passport. Why is this happening? The fact is that the composition of the soil has a significant impact on the ability of the metal detector. Indeed, it is one thing to search in river sand, and another in soil with a high iron content. Metal products, especially those that are at depth for a long time, oxidize and change their properties, and this affects the ability to detect an object.

Depth of metal detector detection

Most modern metal detectors can find metal objects at a depth of up to 2.5 m, special deep products can detect a product at a depth of up to 6 meters.

Operating frequency

The second parameter is the frequency of operation. The thing is that low frequencies allow the metal detector to see to a fairly large depth, but small parts they are unable to see. High frequencies allow you to notice small objects, but do not allow viewing the ground to a great depth.

The simplest (budget) models operate at one frequency, models that are classified as average price levels use 2 or more frequencies in operation. There are models that use 28 frequencies when searching.

Diagram of a deep metal detector

Deep metal detectors are used to search for metals at great depths. But it is worth noting that they are not cheap and therefore it is quite possible to assemble it with your own hands. But before you start making it, you need to understand how a typical circuit works.

Scheme deep metal detector

The scheme of a deep metal detector is not the simplest and there are several options for its execution. Before assembling it, it is necessary to prepare the following set of parts and elements:

• capacitors different type- film, ceramic, etc.;
• resistors of different ratings;
• semiconductors - transistors and diodes.

Nominal parameters, quantity depend on the selected circuit diagram device. To assemble the above elements, you will need a soldering iron, a set of tools (screwdriver, pliers, wire cutters, etc.), material for making the board.

The process of assembling a deep metal detector

The process of assembling a deep metal detector is approximately as follows. First, a control unit is assembled, the basis of which is a printed circuit board. It is made from textolite. Then the assembly scheme is transferred directly to the surface of the finished board. After the drawing has been transferred, the board must be etched. To do this, use a solution that includes hydrogen peroxide, salt, electrolyte.

After the board is etched, holes must be made in it to install the circuit components. After the board has been tinned. The most important step is coming. Do-it-yourself installation and soldering of parts on a prepared board.

To wind the coil with your own hands, use a wire of the PEV brand with a diameter of 0.5 mm. The number of turns and the diameter of the coil depend on the chosen scheme of the deep metal detector.

As an example, consider the most common metal detectors that can work with deep frames -, Koschey,. If you follow the proposed schemes, it will not be difficult to create a deep metal detector with your own hands.
The first step will be the manufacture and configuration of the electronic unit. At the next stage, it will be necessary to build a deep coil. In the material below, we will analyze in detail the existing methods for creating coils for do-it-yourself metal detectors.
It is important to take into account the dimensions and weight of the structures. For example, if you take the Pirate, then the indicators will be quite modest, and the highest result will be when using units such as Koschey 5IG or Koschey 4IG. Such results are obtained due to the presence of a separate deep firmware in the latter.

Do-it-yourself depth frame for a metal detector

The most common practice is to install small depth frames directly on a rod or a standard coil. In this case, there are some restrictions on the parameters of weight and size. For this reason, this design is only suitable for those frames that have a diameter of up to sixty centimeters. A product of a more impressive diameter will be too heavy, so it will be quite uncomfortable to carry.
You can make a coil frame using ordinary plastic pipes. The pipe should be selected depending on the method by which you plan to connect it. Also, when choosing a pipe, you need to consider the dimensions of your frame, since it is important that the pipe can provide maximum rigidity to the overall structure.

Depth coil design shape

Coils that have small size, it is best to make non-separable and have the shape of a circle or square. When creating frames with large dimensions, a non-separable design will be inconvenient during transportation. It is quite difficult to move a frame of this type from place to place. Therefore, in this case, it is better to make a collapsible type design. It is better to build a structure that has a collapsible square-shaped frame, which is equipped with an overhead search loop. Therefore, the frame frame should be made only from pipes that are made of durable plastic. The search coil will need to be wrapped using insulating stranded wire. Most often, frames of this type are transferred in pairs. There is also the option of creating a structure that you can transfer yourself.
Some photos for example:

Depth frame winding process

In order to wind the frames, it is best to use a stranded wire in insulation, which has a diameter of approximately 0.5-0.75 mm. At the end of the work, it is necessary to tighten the turns tightly enough with each other using standard electrical tape or adhesive tape. This will make the loop much stronger. After that, in order to achieve maximum structural strength, it is necessary to compress with a heat shrink tube or fix it with electrical tape.
You can build, thanks to the detailed instructions provided, a do-it-yourself deep metal detector quite easily. To do this, you will need elements that every radio amateur must have in stock. A device created by one's own hand will not be inferior in functionality to its factory counterparts, and it will cost you an order of magnitude cheaper.

Device search is just huge popularity. Looking for adults and children, and amateurs and professionals. They are looking for treasures, coins, lost things and buried scrap metal. And the main search tool is metal detector.

There is a great variety of different metal detectors for every “taste and color”. But for many people, buying a ready-made branded metal detector is simply financially expensive. And someone wants to assemble a metal detector with their own hands, and someone even builds their own small business on assembling them.

Homemade metal detectors

In this section of our website about homemade metal detectors, will be collected: best metal detector circuits, their descriptions, programs and other data for manufacturing DIY metal detector. There are no metal detector circuits from the USSR and circuits on two transistors here. Since such metal detectors are only suitable for a visual demonstration of the principles of metal detection, they are not at all suitable for real use.

All metal detectors in this section will be quite technologically advanced. They will have good search characteristics. And a well-assembled home-made metal detector will be a little inferior to factory counterparts. Basically, there are different schemes. pulse metal detectors And metal detector circuits with metal discrimination.

But for the manufacture of these metal detectors, you will need not only desire, but also certain skills and abilities. We tried to break down the schemes of the given metal detectors according to the level of complexity.

In addition to the basic data required to assemble a metal detector, there will also be information on the required minimum level of knowledge and equipment for self-manufacturing of a metal detector.

To assemble a metal detector with your own hands, you will definitely need:

This list will provide the necessary tools, materials and equipment for self-assembly of all metal detectors without exception. For many circuits, you will also need various additional equipment and materials, here are just the basic ones for all circuits.

1. Soldering iron, solder, tin and other soldering accessories.
2. Screwdrivers, pliers, wire cutters and other tools.
3. Materials and skills for the manufacture of printed circuit boards.
4. Minimum experience and knowledge in electronics and electrical engineering as well.
5. As well as straight arms - they will be very useful when assembling a metal detector with your own hands.

Here you can find schemes for self-assembly of the following models of metal detectors:

	Principle of operation	IB
	Metal Discrimination	There is
	Maximum search depth
		There is
	Operating frequency	4 - 17 kHz
	Difficulty level	Average

	Principle of operation	IB
	Metal Discrimination	There is
	Maximum search depth	1-1.5 meters (Depends on coil size)
	Programmable microcontrollers	There is
	Operating frequency	4 - 16 kHz
	Difficulty level	Average

	Principle of operation	IB
	Metal Discrimination	There is
	Maximum search depth	1 - 2 meters (Depends on the size of the coil)
	Programmable microcontrollers	There is
	Operating frequency	4.5 - 19.5 kHz
	Difficulty level	High