Tramp metal

[bandmiller2]

Metal detectors are not infallible, some fail to pick up finish nails, or give you false hits. I have a cheapie metal detector I bought at a flea market, said it was for wood workers and it does a good job. I only check logs that look suspicious and then only the butt log. Has anyone tried a strong magnet on a string or the device auto body men use to detect bondo repairs. ?? Alas a new band seems to find metal first. Frank C.

[furu]

I need to get a good metal detector.  I have an "el cheapo" but I have been fortunate in that since I have not yet done any urban lumber and I have not found a nail yet in 2 1/2 years  Now that I say that tomorrow I will find 3.

[HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader]

 Having been a metal detector dealer for 15 years, ya gets what ya pays for. A GOOD detector can spot very small items, but, operator error is usually why those small items are missed. Try to get a smaller (6") coil and go S L O W listening for very small discrepancies in the tone. A metal detector is simply a transmitter/receiver.

[bandmiller2]

Furu, you mate have led a charmed life with your mill. Alas all I get are yard trees stroon with hardware. Common nails if you hit them at somewhat right angles are not too bad, its those hard drywall screws that will jock a band. If I hit a nail and the teeth are not bent out bad I will stop the mill and remove the small curl of metal from the offending tooth face and keep cutting. I have another detector designed for scuba divers thats small and handy and impervious to crud around the mill that does a good job. I don't check every log that would seriously cut production only the suspicious ones. If teeth are marking the board after a hit I take a piece of sticking with the mill shut off slide it over the band you can feel the wayward teeth and bend them into submission with a small adjustable wrench. Frank C.