Does a metal detector find lead, as in a bullet lodged in an old tree?

[Joe Frank Porter]

Does a metal detector find lead, as in a bullet lodged in an old tree?

I Was just recently turning cherry I harvested (20" log) and saw some metal that I was turning and cutting without even feeling or noticing. I pulled it out and realized it was lead. It was a bullet, probably a hunters round from several years back. The lead was soft enough that my tools were cutting thru it like wood.

[Peter Blair]

Not sure but lead is so soft that it probably wouldn't matter if you knew it was there or not . . .

[Lamar Wright]

Yes Joe, a metal detector will detect lead. Years ago I use to metal detect and I would find a lot of lead bullets.

[Brandon Speaks]

15 Years ago I worked for a reclaimed lumber company. My first job there was a "nail puller" and basically used a metal detector to find and remove any metal before running the timbers through the wood mizer.

I found a lot of bullets with it.

[Randy Heinemann]

Maybe those responding to this thread might know for sure . . . What are the limitations of the Lumber Wizard with regard to wood thicker than 3"-4". The Lumber Wizard people indicate the best depth of detection is around 2", so scanning from both sides would yield success with a 4" square piece max. Are there better options out there that don't cost hundreds or thousands of dollars? Will a conventional metal detector work for woodworking uses?

[david privett]

I just have a cheap harbor freight metal detector but I tried it with solid lead bullets and it did go off but the unit did not have the same growl as it has with steel. What I found curious is that a copper jacketed bullet sounded like the solid lead one, I would have thought that the copper would have made a slightly different noise in the feed back between the coils . Or maybe these old ears just could not hear the difference. ( that is more likely)