Bob Wobbaz
Member
Hey everyone, I've began a new build of one of the more obscure GB props, the KUD meter. I scored a Micronta Metal Detector of eBay for £15, it's not the exact model used in film, but the model after. As far as I can tell, the only difference is a red push button on the handle for the discriminator. I was lucky too to get one in perfect working order, seemed to a shame to dismantle it for the prop 
Also on ebay I was able to pick up the kitchen utensils I'd need for the build for another £8. The masher is spot on, the skimmer is the best I could find, should have another row of holes but I'm willing to let that go, I doubt anyone would've noticed anyway.
I started by unscrewing the main body and inspecting the electronics. For a 20 year old metal detector it's in great condition. It also gave me insight into which wires I'd need to desolder.
After desoldering the wires to the plate, I then cracked open the plate casing, this was more of a struggle than I'd thought it be, the two halves were glued together. When I'd finally separated the halves, I was presented with this
No, I hadn't sneezed all over the electronics, that's glue holding everything in place. And what a nightmare it was getting it off everything. The coils were glued in too and it required careful work not to break them getting the glue off. When all was done, it looked like this
I then pulled the wire along the pole and out of the plate. With the plate out the way, I soldered the wires back to the board, a simple job, there was tons of solder there already, what I've enjoyed about this build is seeing just how handmade these metal detectors were. With the coils reattached I then lay them around the battery compartment like this
Not seen here, but I glued a penny in the centre of the coils so it still buzzes and the needle moves. I have to say I was relieved the electronics still worked after all my faffing about. I closed the main body up and here's where I'm at now
Admittedly, it doesn't look too different from when I started, most of the changes are internal.
More pictures and updates very soon, this build is taking no time at all
Also on ebay I was able to pick up the kitchen utensils I'd need for the build for another £8. The masher is spot on, the skimmer is the best I could find, should have another row of holes but I'm willing to let that go, I doubt anyone would've noticed anyway.
I started by unscrewing the main body and inspecting the electronics. For a 20 year old metal detector it's in great condition. It also gave me insight into which wires I'd need to desolder.
After desoldering the wires to the plate, I then cracked open the plate casing, this was more of a struggle than I'd thought it be, the two halves were glued together. When I'd finally separated the halves, I was presented with this
No, I hadn't sneezed all over the electronics, that's glue holding everything in place. And what a nightmare it was getting it off everything. The coils were glued in too and it required careful work not to break them getting the glue off. When all was done, it looked like this
I then pulled the wire along the pole and out of the plate. With the plate out the way, I soldered the wires back to the board, a simple job, there was tons of solder there already, what I've enjoyed about this build is seeing just how handmade these metal detectors were. With the coils reattached I then lay them around the battery compartment like this
Not seen here, but I glued a penny in the centre of the coils so it still buzzes and the needle moves. I have to say I was relieved the electronics still worked after all my faffing about. I closed the main body up and here's where I'm at now
Admittedly, it doesn't look too different from when I started, most of the changes are internal.
More pictures and updates very soon, this build is taking no time at all
