Local Fabricator and Metal Detecting Enthusiast Paul Lamb Shares Outdoor Adventures on KCMO’s Right Outdoors
Kansas City, Missouri – Right Outdoors host Crappie Kirby welcomed local fabricator Paul Lamb of Lamb Steel and Fabrication for an in-depth conversation about outdoor hobbies, custom metal work, and the growing hobby of metal detecting.
Custom Fabrication and Metal Work
Lamb, who operates his shop at 17-101-206th Street in Tonganoxie, Kansas, supplies a full range of steel products, including flat bar, angle iron, square tubing, channel iron, and sheet metal.
His business also provides custom fabrication services such as gates, spiral staircases, boat docks, and specialty boat accessories.
He also builds boat docks and custom metal components for owners of the Sea Ark boat, a project that initially brought Kirby to Lamb’s shop.
Outdoor Community Connections
Beyond his fabrication business, Lamb runs the KC Razor Riders Facebook community, often abbreviated RZR, for UTV, side-by-side, and Polaris Razor enthusiasts.
The group once grew to 13,500 members before Lamb handed it over to another administrator.
Discovering the Hobby of Metal Detecting
The centerpiece of the interview was Lamb’s passion for metal detecting, a hobby he has pursued for roughly 14 months.
He began with an inexpensive detector costing about $130 and quickly upgraded to a Garrett 18 Pro, which he praises for its ability to differentiate between various metal tones.
Lamb emphasized that a successful hunt requires more than just equipment. He recommends carrying a small garden shovel, a pin-pointer, a trash bag for debris, leather gloves, and a pouch of grass seed to refill any holes left behind.
Memorable Metal Detecting Finds
Lamb shared several memorable discoveries, including:
- A U.S. Civil War soldier’s embossed felt belt buckle, which he plans to donate to the Taubinoise Museum.
- An 1880s U.S. government-issued padlock discovered in Dog City, Kansas.
- Various silver rings, shell casings, and historical coins, including a 1938 Walking Liberty Denver-mint half-dollar.
He described the thrill of hearing the detector’s “chirp,” noting that early-morning sessions and cooler temperatures often provide the best results.
Lamb cautions beginners against using costly detectors immediately, suggesting they start with a modest model and focus on learning proper technique, especially the left-right sweeping motion required by modern units.
Finding the Best Locations
When asked about ideal locations, Lamb recommends parks, fairgrounds, swap meets, old house sites, and abandoned structures—places where metal has historically accumulated.
He also advises respecting private property, filling any holes, and avoiding metal detecting on automotive repair shop grounds due to the abundance of stray metal parts.
Outdoor Recreation and Health Benefits
The conversation highlighted the health benefits of the hobby.
Lamb logged 13,000 steps on a single outing, illustrating how metal detecting can serve as both exercise and stress relief.
He compared the activity to other outdoor pastimes like fishing and golfing, emphasizing its accessibility for people of all ages.
Contact Information
Listeners were invited to contact Lamb for advice or custom fabrication needs.
Details provided include:
Phone: 913-207-2172
Email: plambauto@yahoo.com
Address: 17-101-206th Street, Tonganoxie, Kansas
Encouraging Others to Explore the Outdoors
The segment concluded with a rapid-fire round where Lamb identified his best find as the Civil War belt buckle and his weirdest find as an unidentifiable, heavily crushed metal piece.
He reiterated that metal detecting is not a money-making venture but a rewarding outdoor pursuit that encourages people to get “right outdoors.”
“You can’t give up,” Lamb advised, urging newcomers to learn the equipment, watch tutorial videos, and keep practicing.
His enthusiasm reflects the mission of Right Outdoors: inspiring Kansas City residents to explore the outdoors through activities such as UTV riding, custom metal projects, and treasure hunting with a metal detector.