Continuing on from my previous post, Dowsing for Treasure, this is one of the L-rods Takis sent me,
although I have digitally shortened it in the above photo. Actual dimensions
are: length 52cm (21in), height 15cm (6in) and return 8cm (3in). The diameter
of the rod is 2mm (1/8in) and the sleeve handle 6mm (3/8in) outside diameter;
4mm (1/4in) internal. The only metal (alloy) used in construction is brass. The
sample or bait container is a 2ml plastic test tube with screw cap. In the
original version above the tube sat in a short length of foam tubing attached
to the back of a self adhesive hook plate (the hook had been removed and the
plastic plate threaded on to the rod). However, in the damp British climate,
the adhesive bond kept failing so the sample tube now sits horizontally on the
rod secured with two rubber O rings or grommets.
The rod can be used either way up. I prefer to use it with
the long arm below the hand as shown above, while Takis prefers the rod the
other way up, with the long arm above the hand.
The sample or bait tube contains either a pure (or as pure
as you can obtain) sample of the metal or substance you seek, or an exact
mixture imitating the content of the target you seek. For instance as I am
interested in looking for Iron Age gold coins, Takis said I should grind a gold
stater coin up to fit in the tube. I refused to do that and the alloy mix in
ancient coins varies anyway, so I stick to pure metal samples.
In use, having a swivel handle, I expected the rod to be
very sensitive and fly around all over the place but I was pleasantly surprised
at how stable it was. It is even very stable in windy conditions, which is
probably a result of the thin rod used in construction.
Next time, I’ll perform a field test…
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