sjmpainter

I am surprised Minelab made that in a analog format. Also curious about the accuracy. Do we know if it is calibrated by NIST?

Can't imagine they give a bunch of pure kt gold test pieces for calibration. Although at 375 maybe.

MAN OF THE YEAR! Can't think of a more deserving person. CONGRADULATIONS...........................

BTW, who's Paul?

Steve, I think you have answered the pump spec question. I still have one that is not listed 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 must be a really old pump. Anyway this will help me sort out the power end of things.

Really hope you can find time to archive your library of info. I get the feeling that is going to be a big undertaking.

Steve, I think in my mind at least I am wanting to put a six inch sluice with a crash box on a four inch float/frame set up with twin 6 HP P180.

My thought is I can cut the sluice to half the length add new matting shorten the jet system and end up with a light weight high production dredge.

You had a dredge with a Marlex jet/flair. Do you think it has any benefit in my project?

Thanks.

LipCa, I have a new triple on my four inch and that is what I am referring to.

I built a four sub surface a wile back and I love it. Last summer I ran it next to my four inch surface dredge and after comparing the two I decided the subbie is a better dredge.

Packing in the surface dredge is prohibitive. But I want more production for weekend prospecting

so I am looking to get a five or six setup.

I did find a six inch dredge tube but that with a 6 hp P180 set up was not impressive so I think I want a surface setup but now that I am spoiled I want it to be light weight.

Looking at all six inch set ups today they are heavy and I am thinking an older unit with a single or double sluice would help cut weight. Also looking at a crash box verse a flair.

So I am hoping I will get feed back from others that have run the older stuff as to what they liked - disliked.

Thanks.

Steve, I have two older Keene pumps and I am not sure what size they are. P100-P104????

One is a 2 1/4 in and 1 3/4 out. The second is 1 1/2 in and 1 1/4 out.

Keene's current catalog shows the different pump/engine/GPM and head pressure for the current models P180,P160.

I suppose I am wanting an older Keene catalog that gives the specs on discontinued models. Or maybe ???

Anyone know or have a resource for older Keene pump specs. I am looking to put together another dredge and have lots of pumps and motors that I could use just not sure of the outputs with various hp engine set ups.

Also I have not been impressed with the Keene triple sluice. Seems it is needlessly complex and heavy Anyone use a double sluice?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

While on vacation, I did some detecting at a park.

Not much for it - some clad and junk jewelry.

On the way back to the hotel, I passed a lady and she asked if I found anything good today.

Well yes I found you, I replied.

That is not what I meant.

What is the most expensive thing you found.

Gave a wink and told her that would be my wife.

Sounds like now would be a good time to clean the closet and post the unused stuff on the classified section. Looking at it the other day and well it is lacking items. You know the holidays are coming.

And of course you can always donate your unwanted stuff to me. Little known fact, I am a non-profit prospector.

As Steve mentioned the gold is small and a lot of hot rocks. You would be better off running a sluice.

Here is a picture of some gold I dredged at the public panning area just at the small camp ground on the Little Su.

I found all the gold in the recent flood gravels, about the top foot +/- and nothing below that.

Yup, the condensation is a killer with the F19. Makes it false like crazy. 

Tvanwho, I am similar in my tech ability. I opted for the GPS with a camera thinking I would get a picture with GPS quadrants on the picture. That is not the case, I just get pictures and I feel that is a waste as a low end unit and a cheap camera would have cost less.

If I had to do again.I would go for the cheapest one I could get, used would be fine.

I like the KISS principal myself. "Keep It Simple Stupid".

Steve, I will be looking for that post. Interested to know if they are worth wile.

tvanwho, Check out the Roto Pan that may be a good alternative to a sluice.

http://rotapan.com/

Jup a 454 will do it. Heavy but better than the frying pan idea.

A good dog is probably the best. They will take a bear for you.

Not sure I would like in the ear phones. If you go that way give some feedback. I am curious.

If anyone has experience with wireless system I would really be interested in that. I can see that being the hot ticket in brush.

AjR have your uncle PM me on the grenades, that just sounds like a blast.

Full set of head phones.That helps with the wind noise and keeps your ears warm. I use Detector Pro Nugget Buster phones. You can adjust the volume on each side if needed or turn one side off completely.

44 MAGNUM STAINLESS STEEL NO EXCEPTIONS !!!!!!. 

 As a side benefit. No one will give you crap about digging holes if you have one

Fred, (SMILING FOOLISHLY) I did get the metal detector on that spot. No luck there.

Here is the bigger picture.

My buddy and me are gearing up to test a four inch sub surface dredge I built winter before last. We did not come across the pot but we did find gold.

Steve H. Pay attention to what my friend is doing. Where do you suppose that idea comes from.

Fred, you have to look to find this one.

Let Steve`s comment " I wish I had taken better photo`s" be a lesson to pay attention too! For what ever reason thing go away, sell, give, donate, loose, fussy memory or pass away ect.......  Finding gold is why we do the prospecting and that happen once then we are on to the next adventure. But sharing the adventure is the part that keeps on giving.

I agree that the history of mining is really interesting  and I wish more was available on that. But I want to point out something.

I have been prospecting for a short wile 5-6 years. And by paying attention I learn and advance in my ability's. Most of you guys have 10-20-40 + years of experience.

I guess what I am getting at is YOU GUY`S ARE MY HISTORY LESSON!  The stories and adventures , the experience and knowledge you post I am learning from. Keep in mind this is posterity also for NOW.

Norvic, I don`t Know how you feel about the Lizard Creek nugget. But that one nugget is more than I have ever found total. I can only imagine the emotional experience on that one.

Thank for posting that one and the adventure with it. Has me day dreaming about my turn.  And that is what make a great forum.............................

PS I expect a full report on Part 2,3 of Lizard Creek .

The thought never crossed my mind, that you could have a nugget too big that no one would offer money for it and the only option is to scrap it. Anyone else run into this problem?

I guess the question would be how many have made the choice to scrap verse`s  saving it for good?

 I am always interested to know about events, yes I would look at it.

I was told directly by Dave Johnson (the designer) that the coils are not compatible between the original Gold Bug and new Gold Bug. I doubt it would hurt anything though to try it.

I like the old Gold Bug and still have a new 4" round coil rat holed away just in case I ever got one again, but the lack of iron disc is the big problem. If I want to dig it all, I will use a PI.

The connector pins are set up different. So its a no go.

Snakejim - cool video.

Petersville is a great area with some chunky gold and public panning area http://www.detectorprospector.com/gold-prospecting-public-sites/sites/alaska-petersville-recreational-gold-mining-area.htm.

The link to the Alaska Mapper will show all claims and open areas of Petersville. You can search an area that you are interested in and get claim owner info to contact.

I was looking last year in that area and seems to be pretty well claimed  but they do get abandon from time to time. Worth a look see.

If you make it up this way drop me a line I have claims in Hatchers you can try........

Not much of a jewelry hunter but working on it. What I am curious is how to best to identify the quality of the jewelry IE 14 k verse 18 k gold or silver plated verse Platinum?

I think the members of this forum need to post some gold in the classifieds. Seems there is a demand for it.