Steve Herschbach

Looks like slag, common near railroads and smelter locations.

https://albionfireandice.co.uk/what-is-slag-anyway/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slag

Slag Photo Gallery

It’s all highlighted in bold red in the sign up information that nobody reads when they join. I try to make it obvious so new people will not join thinking they are going to join and doing certain things immediately. PM and posting in the classifieds in particular have been subject to much abuse and so take 10 posts and 30 days to activate. I’m still trying to figure out how to block new members from being able to post links. Sorry, but blame the spammers of the world for my having to put restrictions like this in place. It was either that or shut the place down as I was fed up trying to deal with spammers on a daily basis.

New members have limited access until they have made  at least 10 posts and been a member more than 30 days. There is no access to PMs or posting links or ads until after 10 posts and 30 days. Attempting to post  links or ads before those requirements are met may result in account deletion. In addition any account that has not posted at all in the first 30 day period will be deleted - the Meet & Greet Forum is a good place to start. Anyone with more than one but less than 10 posts will remain in the Member account status indefinitely. The accounts that make at least ten valid posts and have been a member at least 30 days will automatically be promoted to Full Member status. This will give access to the PMs and the Classifieds, ability to include links, and more.

I and the other moderators watch new accounts and do engage brain before banning accounts. It’s not automatic and only done when warranted. It’s pretty simple. We welcome genuine people who want to actively participate in the forum. Anything else…. not so much. All content is visible to anyone without joining the forum so nobody need join simply to lurk. Membership numbers in and of themself mean nothing to me. It’s the people actively engaging and posting, contributing, discussing, answering each others questions, that make the place what it is. 

18 hours ago, mcjtom said:

That's a bit of absurdity - the guy was arrested for using a metal detector!  (as opposed to actually digging out anything, let alone damaging an archaeological site).

It is illegal to simply be in possession of a functioning metal detector in many U.S. National Parks and other locations.

Agency: National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Forests, and Public Property
Law: Title 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property

PART 2 RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION
§ 2.1 Preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the following is prohibited:
(1) Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing from its natural state:
(iii) Nonfossilized and fossilized paleontological specimens, cultural or archeological resources, or the parts thereof.
(iv) A mineral resource or cave formation or the parts thereof.
(3) Tossing, throwing or rolling rocks or other items inside caves or caverns, into valleys, canyons, or caverns, down hillsides or mountainsides, or into thermal features.
(5) Walking on, climbing, entering, ascending, descending, or traversing an archeological or cultural resource, monument, or statue, except in designated areas and under conditions established by the superintendent.
(6) Possessing, destroying, injuring, defacing, removing, digging, or disturbing a structure or its furnishing or fixtures, or other cultural or archeological resources.
(7) Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, other metal detecting device, or subbottom profiler.

This paragraph does not apply to:
(i) A device broken down and stored or packed to prevent its use while in park areas.
(ii) Electronic equipment used primarily for the navigation and safe operation of boats and aircraft.
(iii) Mineral or metal detectors, magnetometers, or subbottom profilers used for authorized scientific, mining, or administrative activities.

In many if not most other countries other than the U.S. metal detecting is highly restricted or outright illegal, though there are exceptions.

There are entire websites and other resources available for determine laws, rules, and regulations. Some were already linked to here. And if a person has contacts in other countries - ask them. Long story short I find the subject to be rather depressing and so have no desire to have a section of the website dedicated to it. It would be impossible to keep it up to date and accurate. Google is your friend.

Federation of Metal Detector & Archeological Clubs, Inc.

The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC) was organized in 1984 as a legislative and educational organization and incorporated, as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization.

The FMDAC's Mission: The FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.

The FMDAC's Purpose: To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs.  To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.  To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation.

The FMDAC's Goal is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting.

16 minutes ago, Gold Seeker said:

Just an FYI, I checked their website and used their search function, which didn't seems too work at all for anything, but I clicked the drop down menu for "Sport Products" and then to the far right I clicked on under accessories "Stems, Coverups And Replacements Parts" and found the Axiom coil bolts and washers there.

I  think you guys are confusing the main Garrett.com website with the Garrett Direct shopping sub-site. They have separate search functions. The way I found the bolt was by putting "bolt" into the Garrett Direct search bar. Won't work if you do it at Garrett.com

4 hours ago, Bill (S. CA) said:

It looks like the Storm is approaching:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/929805548395125/

Private user group, not a Garrett page.

8 hours ago, CoinShooter said:

All that snow and cold water. I don't see you how you worked the dredge. Didn't your fingers and toes go numb? 🙂

Many creeks in Alaska run too high and fast to dredge in the summer, so the best option is to mine in early spring or late fall, or even dead of winter. I could dredge down to about 15 degrees, any colder and stuff just froze too fast. The secret for me was good dry suit gear, though there is no denying I often got quite cold. I’m pretty good at ignoring discomfort. Hot water systems can keep you warmer, but I often worked away from the motors and hot water systems tie you down. This article shows why I preferred drysuits and how I was geared up:

Seems like mine has had times when it never stopped flashing, so I'd unplug it and plug it back in and then it quit. Not paid much attention to it though, when it's charged it's charged. It's like the "I'm full" trigger does not go off sometimes. My rechargeable computer mouse does the same thing every time, never stops flashing even though it is fully charged. Maybe the batteries come up fractionally short of being a full charge? Don't know, but it's never been an actual problem for me.

I don’t think the 6000 is doing anything special. It was the SDC 2300 that gave us the MPF patent….

2 hours ago, VicR said:

Thanks Steve - so the two i have quoted  have new application numbers - so have Algoforce just reapplied for similar patents with some fine tuning of the application maybe to increase their chances of the application succeeding?

I don't know much about the intricacies of filing patents.

42 minutes ago, VicR said:

Algoforce have lodged some new patent applications in Australia last week. Its looks possible that they may not be a one hit wonder and that they are serious about developing new products - time will tell.

Ambient Sound Control - would this be like a noise cancelling function ?

Time Domain Metal Detector - guessing instead of applying algorithms or filters to frequencies it will be applied to a specific unit of time. Would be great to have some opinions on how this would help a metal detector (VLF or PI) find more targets.

 

 

Both patents pending are in use on the E1500. They are not new applications, the actual filing was a year ago. The first is for the outside sound being passed through the headphones so you can hear what going on around you. The second is what makes the E1500 good on small gold. And yes, they are serious and not a one hit wonder.

E1500 User Manual page 3:

“The AlgoForce E1500 is a pulse induction metal detector that excels at locating small gold nuggets in often complex mineralised soils found in most goldfields, all at a remarkably reasonable cost. Developed by AlgoForce Pty Ltd, it harnesses patented Ultra-Fine pulse induction technology, which is capable of detecting even the tiniest of gold nuggets.”

“With its patented built-in microphone for ambient sound awareness”

https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2023900934A0/en?q=(Algoforce)&oq=Algoforce

https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2023900847A0/en?q=(Algoforce)&oq=Algoforce

3 hours ago, phrunt said:

Looks like it would fit an Ace bolt and washer set.

A couple of examples.

These can be picked up real cheap.

 

Different sizes, both washer and bolt. 

California is not the only state in the union nor the U.S. the only country in the world. Plenty of posting going on at the TreasureNet Forum or the NZ Facebook page so obviously posts can happen… just not happening here. And that’s fine, I’m a go with the flow guy and was just looking to point people to the TreasureNet site. Or see if anyone knows of any better.

I once hoped this forum would recapture some of the magic of the old days at the Alaska Gold Forum. It is obvious now that is not to be, with almost no posts here anymore about gold dredging. It makes sense as I gave that up in favor of metal detecting myself over 25 years ago, and without me driving discussion about dredging here the idea was doomed to failure. By and large the main posting action on these forums is about metal detecting.

I got curious where if anywhere the dredgers ended up at, and a brief search of Google results has me thinking the TreasureNet Dredging & Hi Banking Forum is now the place to be if you have an interest in the subject. Looks like lots of good posters and posts there. Not much has changed in the dredging world from what I can see except the dubious fascination with whiz bang magical mats.

I doubt anything will change here as regards gold dredging so best bet for those interested will be to head where the action is, and as far as I can tell TreasureNet is the only place getting any substantial number of new posts on the subject on a regular basis.

Back when I used to go gold dredging......

Whether the tech is maxed out or not is a matter of perception. Some think another inch will change everything. Others would say another inch is less than 10% more depth over what we have now, so evidence we are maxing out. Whatever.

A color screen will not find me more of anything. GPZ 7000 type power with good ferrous/non-ferrous type discrimination is all I need. Right now you have to choose between maximum depth, or good discrimination at shallower depths. Surely somebody will crack that nut someday, but I'm not holding my breath for it.

Looks like my message to Garrett worked - thanks Steve Moore! And bonus - on sale right now as part of Garrett’s 60th Anniversary Sale.

https://garrett.com/store/axiom-spare-bolt-and-washers/

New Zealand and Alaska share a lot in common when it comes to geology and unfortunately that is true when it comes to earthquakes also.

How Earthquakes Help Deposit Gold

Gold Tectonics

Well sort of. Good Friday was on Friday March 27 in 1964. I was 6 years old at the time, living at 4149 Hood Court in the Turnagain neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska with my parents, a brother, and a sister. I was the oldest and was getting my first dose of science fiction by watching Fireball XL-5 on the TV set. We only had two channels to choose from back then in Anchorage, no live television except locally. Anything in the Lower 48 like football games was taped and played later in Alaska. My only other option as a 6 year old was Davey and Goliath on the other channel, and I was definitely more a Fireball XL-5 type. Still am. 

I'm laying on the couch when the TV goes out. The old tube sets would sort of flash, then the picture would slowly shrink to a small white dot, then pop, it's gone. The power had just gone out. I remember being puzzled and then hearing a roar in the distance. And then the house started going way up in the air!

Everyone was home and my parents gathered my youngest siblings immediately into the living room, where I joined them huddled in the middle of the room. Our dog was going crazy running around barking. It was impossible now to do anything but huddle on the floor. The house rose up high then dropped fast, literally falling out below us. It was exactly like being on a large cruise ship in heavy seas. It was not shaking, it was a slowish go way up and then way down as the house rode giant waves. It was waves in the ground.

Everything fell off every wall and shelf. Every cabinet door in the kitchen opened and the refrigerator door also, and everything ended up in a pile on the kitchen floor. Everything in the house that could fall over did. It was the end of the world in progress.

It took long minutes to subside and somehow when it was over we all were fine. I don't have the greatest memory of the past but some things are etched in memory forever, and those few minutes I will never forget. The aftermath is fuzzier. We were two houses from the edge of what is now called Earthquake Park, a huge chunk of northern Anchorage that subsided and half slid into Cook Inlet. From our backyard there used to be some houses and a forest.... now it was gone from view. Two houses went over the edge, one flattened completely, but luckily nobody was home. Giant cracks and fissures were in the ground everywhere. It is a testament to stick built wood construction that most houses were intact unless they fell into a hole, though cement pad and basement damage was common. Alaska was very lucky that day. When you look at the photos at the attached links and the magnitude of the damage, the 115 deaths statewide seems a miracle. Less than twenty died in the earthquake itself, crushed by falling objects, etc. The rest died in the subsequent tsunamis, mostly in Seward and Valdez.

My father was in the National Guard and was called out immediately for rescue operations. Everyone else evacuated to high ground and we stayed with friends on the hillside, as it was feared that Cook Inlet would funnel tidal waves into the city. The quake however was in Prince William Sound due south and so Anchorage was spared the tsunamis that devasted the smaller coastal towns.

Anchorage and the state slowly recovered. As a 6 year old most of that went over my head and it was soon life as normal - back to school. Yet my friends and I also had an amazing new playground in the form of what became Earthquake Park. It has eroded away to forested low rolling hills now, but back then it was an amazing topsy-turvy wasteland/wonderland of broken jumbled landforms. We were strictly forbidden from going there due to on going aftershocks and fears of more quakes. It was however an irresistible pull for me and my friends who explored this strange alien landscape. Truly an amazing place, now lost to time and erosion.

I know this is off topic but I'll justify it by calling it one of the most direct and personal lessons in geology a person can get at an early age. It no doubt helped guide me to my interest in the earth sciences in general, learning all about plate tectonics and the real life effects of geology gone wild. From the Wikipedia link below:

"Lasting four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, the magnitude 9.2 megathrust earthquake remains the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in North America, and the second most powerful earthquake ever recorded in the world since modern seismography began in 1900"

https://www.life.com/history/the-great-alaska-earthquake-of-1964-rare-photos-from-an-epic-disaster/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Alaska_earthquake

Location of our house above, and photo below of what Earthquake Park looked like back then. Our house would be off the right hand edge of the photo; the area in photo is off end of Clay Products Drive. Obviously there were more houses lost there…. four people died in the general Turnagain area.

Photo from article linked above

I'd be cautious in putting too much weight on that video.

20 hours ago, Gold Kruzer Jerry said:

Did I make a good choice on an everything machine ?

The Gold Kruzer is a generally underrated and overlooked option. You can say that about pretty much any gold detector lacking the Minelab name. I have always been a contrarian in a lot of ways when it comes to detecting. I do not think any machine is perfect and all have weak areas. So if everyone uses the same thing (Gold Monster) the few people who opt for and are expert with other models have a sort of edge is using a detector that has different characteristics. I'd rather be the first guy over some ground with a Gold Kruzer than the 30th guy going over it with a Gold Monster. No doubt the Gold Kruzer is one of the best if not best micro jewelry machines made, and a decent coin detector also.

13 hours ago, phrunt said:

You're using the mono too, everyone seems to favour the DD for small gold performance.

Not at all. Warren and Colleen run the mono exclusively as did everyone on my Oz trip. I was the only one running the DD. Warren is a real wizard with the Axiom and was killing it with the mono. You have to learn to edge or corner hunt with it to get the tiniest bits with the mono, the FC DD is center sensitive. All the detectors in these videos are running the mono except for mine. Personally I think they both have the same PI based pulse delay cutoff as far as gold size. Personally I like them both, just depends what I am doing.

Sorry but that’s my program “Steve’s Minimum Threshold Settings”, one of “Steve’s Stupid Tricks”…. Bogene never touched nor knows anything about the Axiom.  Just ribbing you, I’m glad the Axiom and the settings are working for you. 

1 hour ago, Knomad said:

The reason I assumed that the second ground number was only related to the hot rock elimination is often that second number will not change after normal manual re-balancing.

SO, To Recap, if I understand what you are saying is -- There is a double balance system that it always uses any time it is either manually balanced or auto balance is on, AND the Hot Rock elimination routine is NOT a secondary balance, but is in fact a Notch Out Function..?   If that is correct, I must admit I have never heard of a Notching ability on any P.I.

Thanks for straightening Me out about the Axiom Steve.

Notch is my word. Technically it’s a widening of the ground balance “window” to reject a wider range of ground responses, but with the downside of possibly deadening overall response. Don’t use it if you don’t have to, and when you do go lightly. Bottom line is the Axiom is a dual channel device - there is no way to only balance one of the channels and not the other.

Pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about the Gold Kruzer….

That’s some really nice gold, thanks for sharing!

More people in the U.S. are cleaning up small gold missed by the 7000 with the 6000 than the other way around, so your video makes for an interesting counter perspective.

In general if you hunt ground that was well hunted with with a GPZ 7000 by following up with a 6000 you will find smaller bits the 7000 missed. Conversely, in deeper ground, following a 6000 with a 7000 is likely to find larger deeper gold the 6000 missed. It can work both ways.

1 hour ago, The Lama said:

If your disappointed by the apex you got to try one on an ocean beach,they are really good, i've parked my cz and have about 3 years of ocean bashing without drowning it out

I did not say I was disappointed in the Apex and perhaps you are just referring to those who were. People self hype, and many self hyped that this mid range detector was somehow intended to be direct competition to high end models. It was obvious to me that it was placed in the Ace lineup for good reason. I actually really like the Apex, especially the physical design and controls/screen. But like many I do wish for a version with a little more horsepower under the hood.

We see it all the time. There is a now $2000 PI detector out, and people immediately began saying it was a waste of time because it did not replace their $6000 or $8000 detector. By and large with the rarest of exceptions manufacturers tell you exactly what the story is by how they position a product within their own lineup.