Perhaps you have seen videos on TikTok or even movies where a person usually finds small treasures such as gold rings or earrings through a metal detector. These devices are completely real and there are different types of them, with different levels of reach. However, it is possible that when consulting the prices, you notice that they are quite expensive and therefore Here we want to teach you how to make a simple metal detector, in the easiest and fastest way. If this type of equipment catches your attention, then keep reading because the methods that we will cover are very interesting.
Metal detectors are fundamentally based on magnetism to discover where they are, so that, when receiving variations, it emits a signal indicating that there is some metal nearby.
How does a metal detector work?
If you have been in front of a metal detector, you have probably noticed that it is not a very complex device. Although there are many models available and each time they incorporate more advanced technology, these devices are based on the generation of an electromagnetic field by sending electricity to the lower coil. This electromagnetic field generates attraction between the metallic materials, in this way the magnetic field of the objective is retransmitted to the detector, which in turn emits a signal, generally a sound, to indicate that it has found something.
In this way, we can see that it is a really simple process and therefore, there is also the possibility of making a metal detector at home, in different ways. In this sense, we are going to detail a couple of modalities that are the simplest and most accessible for everyone.
How to make a metal detector?
For those looking for how to make a metal detector, here are the two easiest ways to achieve it: through a mobile app and building it with a portable radio and a calculator.. The application might seem like the easiest way, however, the device must have a crucial component for this task. Here we tell you everything you need to know about it.
metal detector app
The first alternative that we are going to discuss is the app for metal detection. As we mentioned before, it is the easiest option, however, there is a fundamental requirement to achieve it: the mobile must have a magnetometer, that is, the part that makes the compass work.. The magnetometer is dedicated to plotting the location of the mobile in the 3 spatial axes, based on the detection of magnetic variations. It is precisely the latter that apps need to turn a mobile into a metal detector.
In this sense, it will be enough to install an app and bring it closer to any metal so that the magnetometer detects the magnetic variation and reflects it on the equipment screen.. It should be noted that there are various applications for both Android and iOS that will allow you to take advantage of this component on your mobile.
For Android, we can recommend the Castro application, which, although it is not a proper metal detector, has a feature that allows us to use it as such.. Actually, this app is a performance monitor for the device's hardware and in that sense, it offers some interesting utilities. One of them is to access the sensors and test them, so you can enter the Magnetometer section and from there you will only have to bring metals closer to the mobile so that it can detect them.
For its part, for iOS you can install the Tesla application. Unlike the previous one, this one is designed for metal detection and therefore offers an interface where you can see the intensity of the signal and even record magnetic fields.
Build a Basic Metal Detector
If you don't have a phone with Magnetometer or Digital Compass, then this alternative is for you. To build this simple version of a metal detector, you'll need two crucial components: a portable radio and a calculator.. The radio will allow you to recognize electromagnetic variations, while the calculator will be in charge of generating the electromagnetic field.
The first step will be to tune the radio to AM and the highest frequency. What we want with this is to receive the classic continuous air tone in order to differentiate it when there is some variation. Subsequently, turn on the calculator and bring both devices together from the back, until you receive a lighter tone on the radio. This is very important, so if you do not receive the tone in question, separate the two devices a little until you get the signal.
When you've done that, fix them with masking tape. If you must keep them a little apart to receive the signal, then use a board of any material to generate the distance. Now try it by approaching any metal material and you will hear how the tone of the radio changes, indicating that it works correctly.