# Latest **URL:** https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/latest.md [Latest](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/latest.md) · [Categories](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/categories.md) --- ## [1733 Fleet San Fernando (also known as Nuestra Señora de los Reyes)](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/1733-fleet-san-fernando-also-known-as-nuestra-senora-de-los-reyes/46)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/1733-fleet-san-fernando-also-known-as-nuestra-senora-de-los-reyes/46 "2026-09-21T12:53:22Z")
If you read my blog about the 1733 Fleet’s San Fernando: My White Whale, you will see it still hasn’t been officially found, it could have been destroyed by 300 years of hurricanes, the wreck remains mixed with other nea… --- ## [What gear repair have you had to troubleshoot in the field?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-gear-repair-have-you-had-to-troubleshoot-in-the-field/45)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-gear-repair-have-you-had-to-troubleshoot-in-the-field/45 "2026-09-20T18:57:17Z")
Detector coil issues, broken pinpointers, busted headphone jacks — what’s gone wrong for you out in the field, and how’d you fix it (or wish you could have)? --- ## [Anyone built their own electrolysis cleaning tank?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/anyone-built-their-own-electrolysis-cleaning-tank/44)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/anyone-built-their-own-electrolysis-cleaning-tank/44 "2026-09-20T18:56:37Z")
We’ve got a full build guide on the blog for this, but curious if anyone here has done their own version and has tips or modifications worth sharing. --- ## [What's your favorite home-built field tool?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-your-favorite-home-built-field-tool/43)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-your-favorite-home-built-field-tool/43 "2026-09-20T18:56:08Z")
A cheap modified trowels, DIY sifting screens, homemade finds pouches — what have you built yourself that ended up better than anything you could buy? --- ## [Best cleaning method for bottles that doesn't damage them?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-cleaning-method-for-bottles-that-doesnt-damage-them/42)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:55pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-cleaning-method-for-bottles-that-doesnt-damage-them/42 "2026-09-20T18:55:21Z")
Curious what people use here — tumbling, hand cleaning, soaking — and what’s worked without risking damage to older or more fragile glass. --- ## [How do you find old dump sites to research/dig?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-find-old-dump-sites-to-research-dig/41)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-find-old-dump-sites-to-research-dig/41 "2026-09-20T18:54:51Z")
Old plat maps, talking to longtime landowners, aerial imagery showing depressions — what’s actually led you to productive sites? --- ## [How do you date an old bottle without a maker's mark?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-date-an-old-bottle-without-a-makers-mark/40)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-date-an-old-bottle-without-a-makers-mark/40 "2026-09-20T18:54:27Z")
Seam lines, base characteristics, glass color — what features do you check first when there’s no obvious manufacturer stamp? --- ## [What if you find a gun?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-if-you-find-a-gun/39)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-if-you-find-a-gun/39 "2026-09-20T18:53:57Z")
Do you, should you mention to police? --- ## [How do you handle disposal of what you pull up?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-handle-disposal-of-what-you-pull-up/38)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:53pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-handle-disposal-of-what-you-pull-up/38 "2026-09-20T18:53:12Z")
A lot of magnet fishing finds are junk, scrap, or occasionally hazardous. What’s your process for responsibly disposing of or recycling what you find? --- ## [Safety basics people skip when starting out?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/safety-basics-people-skip-when-starting-out/37)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/safety-basics-people-skip-when-starting-out/37 "2026-09-20T18:52:45Z")
Gloves, rope management, checking water depth/current — what’s something you wish someone had told you before your first pull? --- ## [What magnet strength do you actually use?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-magnet-strength-do-you-actually-use/36)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:52pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/what-magnet-strength-do-you-actually-use/36 "2026-09-20T18:52:16Z")
Single-sided vs double-sided, pull force ratings — what’s worked well for you without being overkill for most spots? --- ## [What's the oddest artifact you've found along an old rail bed or road?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-the-oddest-artifact-youve-found-along-an-old-rail-bed-or-road/35)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-the-oddest-artifact-youve-found-along-an-old-rail-bed-or-road/35 "2026-09-20T18:51:46Z")
Spikes, tie plates, old signage — what’s turned up for you in this kind of hunting? --- ## [Best resources for identifying old road alignments?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-resources-for-identifying-old-road-alignments/34)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:51pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-resources-for-identifying-old-road-alignments/34 "2026-09-20T18:51:07Z")
Old highway maps, USGS historical topo layers — what’s helped you figure out where a road used to go before it was abandoned or rerouted? --- ## [How do you trace an old rail bed that's mostly grown over?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-trace-an-old-rail-bed-thats-mostly-grown-over/33)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-trace-an-old-rail-bed-thats-mostly-grown-over/33 "2026-09-20T18:50:35Z")
Historical maps, aerial imagery, or just walking the terrain and reading the grade — what’s your actual method for finding where a rail line used to run? --- ## [CCC, WPA, and POW camp sites — anyone have good research resources?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/ccc-wpa-and-pow-camp-sites-anyone-have-good-research-resources/32)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/ccc-wpa-and-pow-camp-sites-anyone-have-good-research-resources/32 "2026-09-20T18:50:05Z")
Since this category covers those too, curious if anyone’s found solid archives or records specifically for tracking down old camp locations. --- ## [Any good approaches for documenting a site respectfully?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/any-good-approaches-for-documenting-a-site-respectfully/31)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/any-good-approaches-for-documenting-a-site-respectfully/31 "2026-09-20T18:49:27Z")
Photography, notes, GPS logging — how do you document a ghost town or historic site without disturbing what’s left? --- ## [How do you research a ghost town before visiting?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-research-a-ghost-town-before-visiting/30)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-research-a-ghost-town-before-visiting/30 "2026-09-20T18:49:01Z")
Old county records, historical societies, USGS topo maps from different decades — what’s actually given you the best leads before a trip? --- ## [Burning a metal pan first time you use](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/burning-a-metal-pan-first-time-you-use/29)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/burning-a-metal-pan-first-time-you-use/29 "2026-09-20T18:48:27Z")
I was told it is a good idea to heat/burn a new metal pan before first use, any truth? --- ## [What's your read on flood gold vs. bedrock gold?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-your-read-on-flood-gold-vs-bedrock-gold/28)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:47pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-your-read-on-flood-gold-vs-bedrock-gold/28 "2026-09-20T18:47:15Z")
Curious how people here think about where gold actually settles after a big flood event versus what’s been sitting on bedrock for years. --- ## [How do you find out if a creek is already claimed?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-find-out-if-a-creek-is-already-claimed/27)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-find-out-if-a-creek-is-already-claimed/27 "2026-09-20T18:46:41Z")
Claims research seems to trip up a lot of new prospectors. What’s your actual process for checking before you set foot somewhere? --- ## [Best beginner gold pan setup for creek prospecting?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-beginner-gold-pan-setup-for-creek-prospecting/26)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-beginner-gold-pan-setup-for-creek-prospecting/26 "2026-09-20T18:46:05Z")
If you were starting from zero today, what pan, classifier, and sniffer bottle setup would you actually recommend, and why? --- ## [What's in your field kit besides the detector itself?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-in-your-field-kit-besides-the-detector-itself/25)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-in-your-field-kit-besides-the-detector-itself/25 "2026-09-20T18:45:18Z")
Trowel, pinpointer, finds pouch — what’s the stuff you didn’t think you’d need until you were already out there? --- ## [How do you politely ask a homeowner for permission to detect?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-politely-ask-a-homeowner-for-permission-to-detect/24)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-politely-ask-a-homeowner-for-permission-to-detect/24 "2026-09-20T18:44:44Z")
This comes up constantly for new detectorists. What’s actually worked for you when knocking on doors or reaching out about private land? Just state you will share finds? --- ## [Hat detector settings do you actually use for mineralized soil?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/hat-detector-settings-do-you-actually-use-for-mineralized-soil/23)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/hat-detector-settings-do-you-actually-use-for-mineralized-soil/23 "2026-09-20T18:43:54Z")
Ground balance, sensitivity, discrimination — what’s your real-world setup when you’re hunting in tough soil conditions, not just the manufacturer’s suggested defaults? --- ## [How do you handle permission for private shoreline access?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-handle-permission-for-private-shoreline-access/22)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:43pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/how-do-you-handle-permission-for-private-shoreline-access/22 "2026-09-20T18:43:12Z")
Inland waters often means someone’s private property line runs right through your search area. How do you approach asking, and has anyone had good or bad experiences with landowners? --- ## [Any good spots for beginners to start with inland water hunting?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/any-good-spots-for-beginners-to-start-with-inland-water-hunting/21)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:42pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/any-good-spots-for-beginners-to-start-with-inland-water-hunting/21 "2026-09-20T18:42:39Z")
Not asking for secret spots — more like: what type of location (old swimming holes, ferry crossings, boat launch areas) tends to be productive for someone just starting out? --- ## [Best conditions for river/lake shoreline hunting?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-conditions-for-river-lake-shoreline-hunting/20)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/best-conditions-for-river-lake-shoreline-hunting/20 "2026-09-20T18:41:58Z")
After a big storm, at low water levels, right after ice-out — what conditions have actually produced finds for you? Trying to build a shared sense of “when’s actually worth going out” for this category. --- ## [Responsible recovery — where do you draw the line?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/responsible-recovery-where-do-you-draw-the-line/19)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/responsible-recovery-where-do-you-draw-the-line/19 "2026-09-20T18:41:20Z")
This one’s less “how” and more “should.” Historic wrecks, especially ones tied to loss of life, raise real ethical questions about what should be recovered versus documented and left alone. Where do you personally draw t… --- ## [What's the most surprising thing you've found near a wreck site?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-the-most-surprising-thing-youve-found-near-a-wreck-site/18)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/whats-the-most-surprising-thing-youve-found-near-a-wreck-site/18 "2026-09-20T18:40:42Z")
Not always the treasure itself — sometimes it’s a random personal item, a tool, or something that tells a story about the people on board. Would love to hear what’s surprised you most, even if it wasn’t valuable. --- ## [Title: How do you research a wreck before diving it?](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/title-how-do-you-research-a-wreck-before-diving-it/17)
**Author:** [@Seeadler](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/u/Seeadler)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/t/title-how-do-you-research-a-wreck-before-diving-it/17 "2026-09-20T18:40:16Z")
Starting this category off with a real question I get asked a lot: before you ever get in the water, what’s your process for researching a wreck site? NOAA’s wreck database, old newspaper archives, local dive shop knowle… [Next page](https://weekendtreasurehunter.discourse.group/latest.md?page=1)