Thu, 6 August 2009 There was a discussion in one of the treasure forums recently about the feasibility of making a living with your metal detector by becoming a full time treasure hunter. Think of it! No alarm clocks, no early-morning commutes to the office, no suits and ties, no office politics, no boss! Can it really be done? In this program I examine the possibilities. I've written a book on treasure hunting called The Metal Detecting Manual. It's for sale here. Comments[8] |
I enjoy metal detecting as a hobby; but it is just that - a hobby.
There has always been a tendency in American society towards turning a profit in everything we do, or, should I say, do well.
You see it start at a young age in high school kids wanting to make it in pro ball after college. Very few do, and very few play for fun at the high school level. Afterwards, very few ever play again.
You see it in home craftsmen who have gained expertise in their woodworking, metalsmith, or bread baking hobbies- They've become so good at what they do that they think they can turn a buck selling their wares at the art fairs and farmers markets. Some do. Some are sucessful. Some get so burned out in the process that their tools and hobby equipment end up in a garage sale a few years later.
A subtle shift occurs when you make a hobby or practiced craft a money-making enterprise. It's no longer about the joy of what you do- it takes on all of the trappings of the ledger and balance sheet.
Now, if that's your gig, that's fine. I'm just suggesting that attempting to profit from metal detecting will deflate the outstanding adrenaline rush you get when you pop a Merc (on edge) at 7 inches deep. It's hard to do the "Silver Dance of joy" when you are trying to figure out what today's silver prices are
To pose a question- Why not just do something for the sheer joy of it?
There has always been a tendency in American society towards turning a profit in everything we do, or, should I say, do well.
You see it start at a young age in high school kids wanting to make it in pro ball after college. Very few do, and very few play for fun at the high school level. Afterwards, very few ever play again.
You see it in home craftsmen who have gained expertise in their woodworking, metalsmith, or bread baking hobbies- They've become so good at what they do that they think they can turn a buck selling their wares at the art fairs and farmers markets. Some do. Some are sucessful. Some get so burned out in the process that their tools and hobby equipment end up in a garage sale a few years later.
A subtle shift occurs when you make a hobby or practiced craft a money-making enterprise. It's no longer about the joy of what you do- it takes on all of the trappings of the ledger and balance sheet.
Now, if that's your gig, that's fine. I'm just suggesting that attempting to profit from metal detecting will deflate the outstanding adrenaline rush you get when you pop a Merc (on edge) at 7 inches deep. It's hard to do the "Silver Dance of joy" when you are trying to figure out what today's silver prices are
To pose a question- Why not just do something for the sheer joy of it?
Good points, Arick.
As Shel Silverstein said, "After you've been having steak for a long time, beans sure taste fine." That is, too much of a good thing makes it a not-so-good thing after a while.
And I'm afraid that most people would tire of metal detecting if they did it hour after hour, day after day.
I wasn't advocating such a life; just the opposite, in fact. I was trying to splash a little reality into the face of the dream.
As Shel Silverstein said, "After you've been having steak for a long time, beans sure taste fine." That is, too much of a good thing makes it a not-so-good thing after a while.
And I'm afraid that most people would tire of metal detecting if they did it hour after hour, day after day.
I wasn't advocating such a life; just the opposite, in fact. I was trying to splash a little reality into the face of the dream.
posted by: Dan Hughes on Fri, 8/7 08:16 AM EDT
Your story is very interesting, however the use of a metal detector can also be used to find survey pegs, drain covers, water pipes as well as when people loose items, I have been approached a number of times, people have lost their farm keys in a lucern field (after three days we did find them) another farmer lost his keys while moving earth with his tractor, after two hours we found them, people approach me, they need to know where their land pegs are, other people approach me, they have lost items on the beach, however if you send me an email, I will show you another way that I make money from my machine.
Thankyou
Thankyou
Dan. Thanks for the great readings and interesting PC"S
posted by: Mike on Tue, 10/6 06:56 PM EDT
Post your comment:
