whitebutler

I'll admit I have panned and detected both sides of the river. From that spillway toward the west and on down to almost the fish hatchery. I do not have gold in possession from there though I did very well and put beans on my plate. Now it is patrolled by national guard even though we ran cattle there we are not allowed in or around. I know of only one cattle rancher that lives there that is able to go in. DWR took his driveway and widened it to fit the haul trucks. It's sad to think what the state does to the people. Nobody is even allowed in on private ground near there unless you live there.

I used my 7000 under ground and had good luck with the 19" coil. My old go to was the Vsat it was the spot on machine for rock for me. I'll be sticking to the 7000 from now on unless blasting caps were used then it's aluminum shards all over and you get tired of them really fast. Good luck John

I don't know what to say really. I think if it takes me a day of filling holes then I'll make one more trip out to pay the bills. I don't mind filling them it helps me with a bad temper and rage that I might otherwise use on those who don't fill them. There is a super great spot that detecting was allowed and it was big enough for maybe three thousand machines. This place is closed and you will be fined and jail is now mandatory. I found out there was a group minging with a dumper and excavator and an other leaving holes. The authority came and closes all 12000 acres. As well there are five ranches that are not friendly to detectorists in the same area.

Those are cute!

I'm right handed and use a hand forged pic that is about 6 pounds. I Digg with the left hand and almost never set the detector down. I do have a callus on the side of my right index finger from the way I hold my 7 iron.

Yank's got it too! here is a few pics from the 2015 and early 2016. the first two are more recent. DARNGER! Drooling can cause permanent damage to your key board

THere is one I did that weighed 2.1 ounces. I used a potato for it. I took a teaspoon and made a nice round hole in the center then put in some borax and then the gold and a touch more borax. I melted using oxy-acetylene. the gets to hot real fast. You haveto watch it.

I was able to contact miner John designs. I spoke to a guy that makes what I want and he is willing try to make anything fit any detector coil. I did find poly carbonate does have carbon that can cause falsing. I won't be doing that. I ordered a few covers from him so I have some scrubbing that can be done. Again guys thanks for all the info. You all are really helpful and tons of ideas. Thanks again John

I will bust out with some glue and poly plastics. I will try the glue to the old one and see how well it works. Thanks agian! John

Most of my hunting will bi with the 7000 as well. I'm going to be off work for a while so I have time. I can't wait to hit a few areas I've studied well. Some are really rough and hard to hike to. And some have horrible weeds that almost scratch through the skids. That's the whole reason I was wondering about skids. Thanks John

Geez I totally didn't even look at eBay. I don't want to sound uhm well?.... I am admitting publicly I didn't look.

Thank you Steve I'll get a look at what is offered. I hope they still make them. Is there any for other machines that are preferred? I have a gerrett at gold and a GP 3000 with stock coils and I have a sadie coil with the 3000. But I will be trying out more machines this year as in buying and testing for myself. If I should look for good protection might as well he some input for others with similar questions. Again thanks for the rapid responses John

Yes I tried to find them online and they aren't shown as available. Does miner john designs have a web site I could order one from? I'd love to buy an other one. Thanks for rapid response John

So I am working seeing if anyone has a good up grade to the zed 14" stock coil cover? I have been through two and not owned it a year. I bought a MJD coil cover and love it. I don't get the bump sounds from the grass anymore. Lately I've noticed that they aren't available so readily. I want the same quality and in the 19" cover as well. I don't want a tape on or glue on because I like my things easy to clean. Any ideas?? John

I'm not retired yet myself, but I see no reason to stop. I think the good times and the get away from every day is worth so much more.

Welcome to the wonderfully world of the zed. I love the depth and hate to dig. I'm always surprised at the tiny ones I find with mine. The smallest one in this pic is 2 grain. I dug it in wet soil at a depth of 12.5 inches about 317 mm. I couldn't find it for a time but when I did I just wanted to rest.

I would have to say if you have an area you might want to sample pan down hill to ether side. I have personally not found a great deal of fine in the same area. I have found lower areas down hill and more so to one side than the other. Depending on. The slope angle and type of soil and rocks. It's a puzzle made from nature. It's our past time and hobby to try and solve it. Cheers John

Using 14" and I was soaked. The ground was even running water on the hillsides. Super wet but I had fun. John

Yes it was Steve. I could hear the lightning coming about an hour before it got to the area. I was becoming uneasy toward the end.

Hating the lightning! I couldn't hear signals any longer. I had to leave after a great day in the rain diggin. I dug all the .22 slugs from three counties and a half ton of canslaw. Finally a bit luck. The J shape is 12.2 DWT and a total of 16.1 DWT. I'm happy for the day.

Good onya that's really nice looking gold. Love the quartz piece. Thank you for posting and welcome. Those pieces remind me of my first year detecting. Thank you for bringing back my memories. Cheers John

Is there a release date? What is the definite price tag? Like the 19" there were a few different things posted about them. It's hard when there is a release of a new product when so many see and perceive things differently. I like to know facts and get things in order so I may make the right and educated purchase of said product. I thank Steve for being forthright and bringing facts to us. All the other garbage I've read in this machine makes me a bit confused. Thank you Steve for your work.

Klunker, I have been out almost twenty times even in the freezing rain and sleet. I did how not learn that a quad should have good tires and be in good repair. I took two sunny days to put on new tires and do a full tune up. I've only been forgetting things for almost two years. It's also how long I've been detecting. Maybe we should get together and go bowling! John

Oh geez I forgot to thank you Hawkeye for not leaving those nails. Great finds!?

I'm so happy I have a board blacksmith friend he collects all type of little metal stuff. I think he should help us all out and go detecting. That way we all will be happier.