EZMoney Bob

You probably know this already, but the detector engineers and modifiers hang out at: http://www.geotech1.com Might try asking there.

Tom, I sent you a PM about your Homelite. Not sure we're supposed to be discussing possible transactions here. Thanks, Bob

Just my opinion, very unlikely that this gentleman's 9 hp dredge with a home made nozzle is going to be so efficient that it will equal the performance of a 16hp pump and a conventional nozzle. It might work just as good as a 9 hp conventional pump/nozzle setup or a little better. But nearly double the performance? I don't think so. I would sure want to try it before committing to the purchase.

I think Armadillo is interested in restoring their dredge to its original state, Petco and all, for historical display purposes. The good news for me is that it works well with the little 4 stroke Honda WX10 that they temporarily installed. With the allegedly more efficient Couple Jet nozzle I should be in business. Main reason I've been leaning toward the small WX10 over the WX15 or other larger small pumps is the lighter weight that goes with the small size.

I got a message on another forum from the folks at Armadillo Mining Supply in Grants Pass, Oregon (they once explained to me how a store in Oregon got named Armadillo, but I can't dredge it up). They also have one of these old Keene backpack dredges. It came with a two stroke "Petco" brand motor. It has a Keene pump attached and maybe Keene ended up going with Petco after Ohllson & Rice closed down. I've never heard of Petco before and they were evidently made in Canada. The original engine needs work and they have temporarily replaced it with a Honda WX10.

Great information. Thank you for taking the time to post it. Bob

Thanks Steve. I'd looked at backpack dredges on Keene's website but their current models don't bear much resemblance to this vintage dredge! Now I know where it came from. I've always liked the concept of the Couple Jet nozzles although I've never used one and getting one along with this dredge is a real bonus. No telling how it ended up with the Keene dredge but it seems to be the perfect size. Too bad Gold Divers closed, I think it was a positive closing, based on their retirement. I would have enjoyed owning a company like that but if it was for sale I don't remember and I probably couldn't have swung the deal anyway. I remember those Olson and Rice two strokes. Seems like they powered all kinds of tools and equipment back in their heyday. I just discovered via Google that they also made model airplane engines. Their total engine sales were estimated at 500,000! The local USFS Fire Station has some small backpack pumps they use for mop up, I'll stop by and see if I can get some pump ideas from them. I'll follow up here when I get this thing functional. Thanks for offering to look for some documents but based on previous experiments with antiquated Keene equipment, they are pretty helpful so I might be able to get some info from them. Bob

A friend gave me this little backpack dredge. It came with a nifty little "Couple Jet" nozzle made by Gold Divers, Inc., formerly of Mound House, NV, but now out of business and retired. The dredge didn't come with an engine or pump and I'm trying to figure out what would be the best pump/engine to get for it. I understand, but not for sure, that the Couple Jet or Infinity type of nozzles work best with a higher volume lower pressure pump, as opposed to suction or jet nozzles that work best with higher pressure and somewhat lower flow. I checked with the guys who now make the Packrat 2 dredge and they didn't recognize this dredge. The overall dimensions are about 2 feet by 3 feet, the bottom is completely flat and not pontoon shaped like the Packrat dredges. Possibly Gold Divers made a backpack dredge and it's one of theirs? Sure appreciate any comments or suggestions for a pump or a picture of a complete dredge from this unknown manufacturer. Since I got the dredge for free I can afford to spend some money improving it and also on a good pump. Thank you, Bob

Steve, maybe I wear rose colored glasses but this is a good group and I've never seen any objectionable content on your forum. However, assuming that it's advisable for us to know how to report objectionable posts, maybe you should make this a "sticky" so that it stays at the top of the page?

Scott, great job in lining up this speaker, it was a very good presentation. He really got my attention when he mentioned that as part of his research he'd ridden his mountain bike the length of the Lassen Trail. For those interested or who missed the presentation, the author has also written a book. I bought a copy at the meeting but haven't read it yet but based on the quality of his presentation it's probably a good one: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Truths-Peter-Lassen-Trail/dp/1932636935 On the topic of books, an excellent book that I have read is "Gabbs Valley, Its History and Legend" by local Gabbs resident Ruth Fenstermaker Danner. A very good read and gave me plenty of ideas for new Northern Nevada prospecting and exploring areas: Gabbs Valley Book Hope it's OK to be posting those Amazon links. I am not an Amazon shareholder. Bob

Local geologist Webb Varnum will be making a presentation and slide show on "The Engineering Marvels of the Comstock" tomorrow (Tuesday 28 February) at the Comstock Gold Prospectors club meeting. Webb is a graduate of the Mackay School of Mines and has spent most of his long career in Northern Nevada. The meeting is at the Mason's Lodge on Pyramid Highway in Sparks. The meeting starts around 7:30 PM, although most attendees arrive earlier. All are welcome, especially visitors and guests. Something I just learned about engineering on the Comstock is that in 1890 or so a hydroelectric plant was installed at the 1650 foot level of the Chollar Mine. It was powered by high pressure water piped from the surface to Pelton wheels at the 1650 foot level. The electricity was delivered back to the surface where it powered a mill. At the time of installation it was the world's longest electric power line with a length of over one mile. There was some discussion today about whether the generation equipment is still down there at 1650 feet. The conclusion was that it's a moot point because the water level in the mine is at about the 1300 foot level. Here is a link to a Comstock Foundation for History and Culture Facebook article on the subterranean power station: https://www.facebook.com/Comstockfoundation/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

I've always practiced detecting "low and slow" but I discovered that with my SDC 2300 what I thought was slow was really too fast. If I swing that thing really painfully slow it will pick up signals that it goes right past when only swinging slowly. Going excruciatingly slow may not be so great for prospecting a new area but, at least with an SDC, it seems to work well in areas where there is known gold and areas that have been heavily detected. Bob

Kind of confusing name. Ramada isn't a Ramada Inn, it's an area called The Ramada just off the main road as it goes past the main Rye Patch Campground area. Easy to find when you are at the campground.

I have a couple more rule suggestions. Last year I understand there were some teams working, with one individual with a detector and one or more helpers with digging tools and pinpointers, allowing the individual with the detector to continue searching while others dig for him. This doesn't seem like it's in the spirit of the event and some consideration should be given to outlawing it. Last but not least, as more of an educational effort than anything else, how about making a rule that holes must be filled? I know that the tokens aren't buried very deep, but it's more of a matter of principle and creating good habits.

Tom, Great adventure and also a well written narrative, I was on the edge of my chair while reading it.