1515Art

42 minutes ago, tboykin said:

Red clay is GPX/ATX territory. A used TDI would also be a good look if the price was right (day $800 or so).

Every time I went to DIV it was 80%+ GPX. In Culpepper and other areas with that thick red clay it will pull bullets pretty deep.

It would be nice to have Steve’s extremely reasonable, affordable, lightweight GB PI. But I am not convinced any manufacturers are going to hit that mark with a quality product anytime soon. It’s a niche within a niche in a shrinking hobby, and making plastic coin shooters or high dollar nugget machines make for better profits I reckon.

We need better access to the QED.

I provided him a link and encouraged him to sign up and said you guys were helpful and friendly...😋😀👍.

1 hour ago, RobNC said:

As tboykin said, still a VLF in the grand scheme of things. It does manage mineralized soil better than a single freq VLF unit. It will get better depth usually than a single freq machine in such cases. It's not perfect but a "perfect" metal detector has yet to be made. The Vanquish is a real deal in a lot of ways and should not be thought less of just because it is using VLF albeit multiple VLF's referenced at once.

Rob, thank you trying to help out someone new from Georgia looking to detect in heavy red earth, he was wondering if the vanquish would work for him in his soil?

Tboykin, thanks for the clarification I was in a conversation where I’m being told the vanquish was not a VLF detector, we were talking about the ability to handle highly mineralized soil and I’d commented since it’s basically VLF it would have similar limitation as any VLF detector.

I posted this in the vanquish thread but it’s buried fairly deep so I’m asking here too, about the vanquish, it’s multi iq technology rooted in VLF technology or is it something different all together? I was under the impression this is a multi frequency VLF detector that basically samples multiple VLF  frequencies simultaneously to better I D targets and while the way it makes this possible is unique the signal would have the same limitation in heavily mineralized soil same as any VLF detector?

9 hours ago, jasong said:

My view? Dim. Except for a select few people. Here are two reasons which are rarely discussed on forums, and rarely understood by new guys trying to succeed:

1.) A very large percentage of the really great finds are coming from places most other people don't have access to. Or, people trespassing on private lands or private claims. Or people tracking/spying on others and raiding their spots (this just happened to me last year). Which is one reason you don't see people posting the finds a lot here in the US.

2.) An equally large percentage of really great finds are coming from people who know exactly where to go because they were either around early when the nugget leads were still plentiful or they had old timers tell them where to go. That knowledge is literally worth more than gold, and the select few that have it are able to take particularly great advantage of newer technology to rehit these old patches.

Once the leads are gone, they are gone forever, and only those who knew where they were at can possibly learn anything from them and develop as a detectorist. With no leads, you might as well be chasing rainbows and banking on luck. Not having that knowledge is a huge disadvantage when you are just a regular guy trying to succeed at this.

With very few exceptions, you will find that most of the successful detectorists were around at least during the late 1990's/early 2000's, or are friends with someone who was.

For me, even though I started late, it was purely luck that won't happen again because when I was about to give up after a couple years of meager finds, the 5000 came out and everyone started to run in Fine Gold. That meant they left behind enough leads for me to find in order to get the hang of where exactly I should be swinging my coil, and it gave me time to catch up and learn slowly alone while there were still a few leads left in the ground. I was able to find old patches luckily, and that gave me confidence of what to look for later on in places few had ever detected. I'd have quit years ago if it weren't for this stroke of lucky timing and the extremely conservative view towards settings on forums and from dealers at the time, along with my realization that I could run all out, in my 4500 and pick up a lot of stuff Fine Gold was missing, even by the pros. All while having these same people tell me running hot was "young man's settings" after I'd just have found gold in their footprints to their disbelief. 

Someone today after 5 years of the GPZ running in the field will not have that benefit to nearly the same degree because the GPZ, even not running hot, gets quite a bit even with an inexperienced operator. Access and knowledge are worth more than gold - those who have it will keep scratching by as nuggets depelete, those without will have to learn to be happy with a few grams here and there or quit in frustration.

Anytime someone finds something big and new there is always a "it's still out there" sentiment. But the reality is that it's mostly still out there for a select few with knowledge and access. Here in the USA anyways.

Of course, if gold goes to $10,000 or something, well then - game on again for all comers!

 

It’s tough for the new guy for sure I dream of starting this years earlier, no reason not to have just wasn’t on my radar at the time nobody to blame for that except myself. I’ve never asked anyone to give up their hard earned knowledge I feel it’s the same as asking for their ATM card and pin for my own use, besides endless hours picking up only trash knowing exactly where  the fruit of the apple tree is when you can’t eat it anyway is it’s own form of torture. luckily feeding myself is not reliant on finding gold and the little bits along the way and the pleasure of the outdoors and the hunt itself enough of a prize to keep me happy, and the dream of finding the one prized ounce or greater chunk still not out of the question someday.

Lunk, the Z couldn’t do it without you, no doubt about it an amazing detector...operated by a more amazing detector’ist! 

West marine sells a product that will do some amazing restoration to rotted wood I used some to restore the wood inside the transom of an old fiberglass boat I put back into service. This was a 2 part epoxy injected into the area that had lost integrity due to dry rot using a mixing nozzle attached to the cartridge. What was basically saw dust sandwiched between fiberglass after injecting the epoxy into a series of small holes drilled into the fiberglass filling all the voids after curing was solid as a rock....but, it was kind of pricy and definitely cost you more than a new handle.

On 3/15/2020 at 5:32 PM, GB_Amateur said:

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy/analysis is likely less expensive, assuming you don't have inroads with a university.  Some coin shops and pawn shops have the device to perform that.  They may charge a fee or do it for free.  You could call around and ask.

 

I have taken a few little pieces to have XRF tested as you suggest to a local pawn shop, the most they charged me was $10 and one time no charge at all.

42 minutes ago, Jim in Idaho said:

Guys, my Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (R.I.P.), Max, got lame while hunting chukars. I left him in the camper, and took my shorthair, Annie, out to hunt. I didn't realize Max could see us out the little window above the bed. When we got back, and I was about 50 yards away, I noticed the view in that little window was simply all yellow. When I opened the camper door I realized Max, in his frustration and jealousy, had completely shredded every cushion in the camper. The yellow I saw was all the foam rubber that had been covered with the upholstery. After that I never refused to take Max again...sore feet or not...LOL

And we think we train them...

56 minutes ago, Rick N. MI said:

My English Setter shredded the dash in my car while I was out of it. I didn't mad either. lol I looked at it as my fault for leaving him alone in the car. No more car rides for him after that.

Sorry. No picture. I'll post a picture of him tomorrow.

Read google, my dog ate... my sons puppy ate the connector end of his cell phone charger cord late Friday night, I wound up using my TRX pinpointer to locate it and follow as it slowly moved it’s way along, thankfully it passed this morning without getting lodged... I was getting ready to shell out whatever it took to make sure she was Ok.

My wife’s afraid of dogs she got bit once when she was little so I can’t have one, but I just got this little puppy for my youngest son he’s been struggling with some autism related anxiety issues. Her name is Misty, She hasn’t been out prospecting yet. she’s an American Pocket Bullie and is so sweet and affectionate it’s really cute holding her and she just loves hugs and nuzzles on your neck.

Whoops I didn’t see it posted already...

That’s a pick worth going back for and nice gold well worth the sacrifice of a plastic scoop if it even shows sign of the battle. Wonder I still have mine, farthest I’ve gone back for my Apex was lovelock to the blue wing mountains when I got a ride back to my suv in a friends quad and I left it in the back. Panic next morning loading gear heading out to Rye Patch apron discovering I had no pick, lucky he was still there. 
 

Lots of great suggestions and helpful information and a few things I didn’t think of that could come in real handy.

11 hours ago, PeterInSa said:

In Oz when prospecting we leave our 21’6” Traveller Tandem Caravan in the bush unattended and have an MT600 Plus au GPS Tracker, connected via an RF switch to a 1m mobile phone aerial on top of our Wingard TV aerial. At the time ( maybe 3 years ago) I though that as well as 3G, this unit had the most 4G frequencies available so maybe a bit of future proofing for Oz.

I just set the tracker up in the Geo Fence mode so if the Caravan moves more than 100 yards I get and SMS, thought about getting SMS message sent via the Tracker via a movement detector ( any movement outside the door of the van) but have not done anything about it.

I can switch the aerial to a Mobile phone/ Modem.. laptop/Tablet  or the Tracker when in the caravan. Depending upon the location ( and signal strength) the tracker still operates with the aerial flat above the van roof.

www.mictrack.com/downloads/user-manual/4g-gps-tracker/MT600_Plus_User_Manual_V1.0.pdf

I also have a wheel lock on each side of the van, one wheel only ( carried on the 2 spares on the back bumper)and of course the tow ball lock, as well as good insurance cover but which will not cover us for the additional gear, I have added to the van or the price increases that have happened to this model since our purchase, along with the Agreed Value Insurance of the Caravan diminishing over the years.

Up to 3 years ago we went bush with 2 couples with older vans, so if one was going to be stolen, it would probably be ours, mate we now go with has a more modern Traveller Caravan than ours.

Some in Oz use an old Smartphone with a good coverage sim card and if their 4x4/van goes missing just run the App "Find my Phone" on your phone, if in a good mobile phone signal area.

To me the Bush in Oz is quite safe, but there could be exceptions, don't know about the US ( a friend in Oz some years ago had his Landcruiser stolen while detecting, not happy, with his wife waiting in a Caravan Park for his return, Thankfully 5 days later, his vehicle turned up 500Kms away unharmed and out of diesel.

 

well, that would pretty much suck Having your vehicle stolen and find yourself stuck in the outback I hope he wasn’t alone. Anytime I’m off on foot following my coil wandering from left to right, having the Jeep stolen is always on the back of my mind and it’s a good feeling walking up over a hill and seeing it parked where I left it. I forgot about using a tracker and geofencing as far as actually getting my stuff back that probably gives the best chance for success.

9 hours ago, Valens Legacy said:

My neighbor has the same setup as you because he often goes out into the middle of nowhere to hunt gold and silver.

He added a second set, but lighter set, of spring shocks to handle the off road camping.

Something to think about as he says it saved him a lot of trouble when one spring broke on him.

I never thought about adding anything to the suspension, I peaked under it for a second and everything looked like it was where it was supposed to be thanks for the tip I’ll beef it up if I can and a little more lift will give me more tire clearance.

7 hours ago, GotAU? said:

Get a good jack for the trailer...  a scissors type may be fine for it but avoid the short bottles.  I use an aluminum floor jack HF sells combined with a flat base pad instead of the wheels it came with for my 19’ trailer and truck.

Get the yellow wedge-type levelers, they work really well.

A set of strong traction boards will also help as a bridge for the trailer if you are crossing a deep rut so it doesn’t buck so much while crossing it (but your light and low trailer should handle that OK).

A solar hot water rinse kit is nice to have at the end of the day.

For backup 12v power, make your own DIY 400Wh backup power bank battery for less than $100 (PM me if interested for a link to parts and info about the one I made - its offsite at another  website).

Yep, I can see where the traction boards would come in real handy, I’m used to plowing through anything with the Jeep probably how I bent an axle and if I’m not careful the Aliner will be in a thousand little pieces. Ive looked at a few camp showers on Amazon if I have any place left in my little trailer to store one I’ll get it after a long day picking trailer parts up off the trail I’m going to need it, lol. 
 

Did you build it with lithium for $100? That’d be a great price for 400wh battery pack, I’ll need to see how much room I have and see how many wh’s I can fit in the available space.

I got some good news from the drivetrain shop late yesterday my rear driveshaft u-joints were shot and I might have a bent axle. Normally not what you want to hear, but since dropping in the new engine a month ago I’ve been chasing demons, computer timing and fuel delivery, transmission pump, torque converter, misfire codes and overheating all the time crossing my fingers I don’t need to pull the new engine and ship it back east with a burnt valve or something, That’d be a major PITA. This SHOULD fix the last of the driving issues I’ve been seriously doubting my decision rebuilding the Jeep vs replacing it, Jeep... J(ust)  E(mpty) E(very) P(ocket).

1 hour ago, MSC said:

I have a 38 foot toy hauler I tow around, I have the same concerns about finding a place to turn around, with that setup, I would have no concerns. Nice and compact, can go a lot of places I can't. 

Good to know getting close to the hunting areas and staying somewhat comfortable we’re my main goals, I’m feeling like this might work like I wanted.

2 hours ago, Glenn in CO said:

One of our metal detecting club member has a Aliner trailer and loves it. He has solar panels to keep his battery charged and has a generator if he needs to run his air conditioner. I think this type of setup is better than sleeping in a tent or in your vehicle.

I and my wife have stayed at the Meadview RV Park and jasong is right about meeting prospectors from all over the country. The rates seems reasonable too.

When we are out in boonies and not sure about theft will occur I have vinyl coated cables with padlocks that I run through the trailer wheels, axles and leaf springs, plus have a ball hitch lock. Also I setup a trail camera if someone is coming around while we are gone.

Good to see you getting out again. Good Luck!

When I bought this heavy duty padlock I also bought a heavy 15’ coated steel cable I am going to run through the wheels if I can find a chain same Hardness as the lock I’ll use both. I’ve also got a wedge diamond plate box for the tongue for the generator I picked up to run my a/c, microwave and charge batteries down the road a bit I may also pick up a couple flexible solar panels I’ll eternabond RV tape to the roof, the trail cameras a great idea at least I’ll see who I want to get my hands on or be ready for their return if they are scoping things out. 
 

thanks and I’ll see you someday out at the Meadview park, Clark

1 minute ago, normmcq said:

 Art, that is a nice looking little rig. I think it is just like the one that Fred Mason used for years and he took it many places. Upgrading to a heavy duty tire would be my first option for off road travel. If you are mostly going to Gold Basin, I would make contact with "One Legged Dave" and see about renting a spot at his place to store it between trips.

                                                                               Good luck out there,    Norm

Thanks Norm, I made friends with “peg leg John“ I’ll definitely need to look up “One Legged Dave,” kind of a little concerning so many legs gone missing gotta be careful with this mining stuff don’t want to add any more new AKA’s to my list, “One Off Art” or something like that, lol.

I thought about buying Fred’s when he put it up for sale if I’d have Only known then what I know now, kicked myself after it was sold that was a nice lite weight trailer. New tires is a good idea not sure if I will switch them before the first trip, although I should they’ll be more flat resistant and I’ll gain an inch in clearance at least.

2 hours ago, GB_Amateur said:

Nice looking rig!  Is there an intermediate solution -- dropping the camper off at a convenient spot and driving the last distance (<20 miles) on day trips?  Yes, depending upon where you drop it there may be concerns of theft, but it seems like there is always some risk unless you stay within earshot.

I think sometimes I’ll do the drop off and take advantage of the security and hook ups, if I can it’d be nice to set-up right where I can run the dry washer and stay at it longer than the quick little runs I’ve been doing While detecting. I guess when I need to just drop it someplace so I can get back in where the trailer can’t go I’m at risk the most if in the unlikely chance the wrong person stumbles on to it, so I’ll lock everything best I can and a $50 cordless right angle grinder will cut through it all in a few minutes although I did pick up a super tough extra thick padlock at ace hardware that ironically was locked up itself and try to find a matching chain. 
 

2 hours ago, jasong said:

You'll be able to get that rig in and out of pretty much any of those roads in Gold Basin where people camp, no problem. Guys take 40ft 5th wheels back there. 

It's fairly safe back there during prospecting season, It's when everyone leaves during the summer that you have to be careful leaving stuff unattended back there. Some of the prospectors who basically live out there will watch after your stuff while they are there if you make friends with them.

The only place I'd feel iffy making camp and leaving it unattended is on the roads behind Gold Basin. The tweakers out of Dolan Springs and White Hills use those roads to go run their meth and stash their stolen stuff, Cyclopic and the Senator mine roads. It's a bit better now with the recent busts but I see some sketchy looking people still every now and then, and when I see people hide when I roll over the hill I assume they are up to no good.

Also, if you have to go into a town for propane, water, dump your tanks, etc - I would go to Meadview instead of Dolan Springs. That Dolan Springs RV park is questionable, trash/feces ridden, and I don't trust some of the people that stay there one bit. Both Meadview parks are good, run by good trustworthy people, and the people that stay are not usually the questionable types but just other prospectors or tourists.

Thanks Jason I hoped you’d comment good to know I should be ok on most of that grid of roads, I’m planning on hitting a claim I’ve never been to on the gold basin road side of that area within that grid of roads is that the safer area you are talking about? I’m going to park the Jeep and trailer keeping the trailer top down and padlocked while I’m off and head out on foot for short trips. there’s a alarm siren thing I could buy off Amazon I hide/bolt to the trailer that’s got an ir range of 50’ if anyone gets inside that zone will sound an alarm you can hear from pretty far away that might make somebody think twice and give me a chance to unload a round from the 10mm into the ground if I’m close enough. 
 

good to know about the trailer parks I looked online at the Meadview I’ll use that one and avoid the Dolan location I may even rent a spot from time to time and make it a base. I do feel slightly better knowing they got that group that hit you out of the way for a while, unless they turned em loose so they don’t get sick, geez that would be just tragic if they were to become ill. Seems no matter how many they pick up if they keep em that is there’s always more to fill the void I guess, to bad you can’t ever let your guard down. Having a connection there and getting to know the locals is great advice that probably is about the best thing I can do.

1 hour ago, Jim_Alaska said:

Thinking of what you said about being afraid to try to turn it in tight spots seemed reasonable. But after seeing it, it looks small enough that if you had to you could just unhook, turn the Jeep and then turn the trailer by hand.

Depending on the terrain I probably could although even empty it’s hard to control by hand on a grade. My driveways not all that steep but if I’m not careful it’ll take me for a ride Into the street before coming to a stop. I’ve got the Jeep winch and portable winch if I needed to move it in a difficult spot but that’ll be a miserable wasted hour to avoid if possible, lol. I was really torn deciding on a trailer, I wanted something I could drag most anywhere but they’re asking 10k for the spartan roof top tent variety and 30K to 50k for the cool ones and most of those are too heavy and WT? that’s crazy money. The little Aliner was cheep enough I can get my cash back or get rid of it quick with a tiny discount if I want.

Thanks, I think if I can get in where I want to it’ll be good, time will tell and I’ve got a lot of learning to do. 

I hope you can get back out soon challenging times for everyone except for the small and off grid camper sales, lol.

Everything’s sold out prices are sky high, there’s been a rush on guns and rv’s here, lot of well armed Winnebagos running around gotta be careful who I piss off. little trailer isn’t much more than a hard side tent with a door lock an intruder can’t get in unless he was equipped with something similar to a screw driver or say a rock, hmm then different story. But, all I need it’s a lot like a tear drop except no galley space out the back everything’s done inside, storage space is limited lot of complaints on that but After living limited to what I can stuff in my Jeep seems fine for me. I am curious to learn how well it holds up carefully driving it off road in Arizona around the gold basin fire roads, I think it’ll be ok in a lot of spots if I drive slow and stay out of the washes and Jeep trails, lol.

I am finally after 5 long months going to get to swing the GPZ again I think, crossing my fingers I’m not jinxing myself being optimistic. In the beginning of May I blew a head gasket that took out my radiator frying a cylinder and time for a new engine...that’s the short story. So far I’ve put in a new stroker engine, new transmission, new fuel system, new gears from 4.10 to 5.13, new radiator, new control arms, new control arm mounts, new toyo M/T’s and engine computer tuning. First shop I took the Jeep to was a disaster and in the end everything they did I threw away, fortunately my luck improved and the Jeep is almost ready to go, transmission shop misaligned the driveshaft that made for an uncomfortable drive home and now I’ve got and appointment at Adams Drive Shaft to get everything balanced on this coming Monday, I still intend to change the shocks and springs but this has all gone on too long and I really need to find a nugget or at least go look!

while all this was happening I snagged a good deal on a used Aliner Scout lite with an off road package, the off road just gives better ground clearance everything else is standard duty. In the Aliner at 10 feet long and 1200#’s while I’m 6’4” Still gives me headroom I can at stand up in the center and the bed is comfortable, I think this will work out otherwise there’s going to be a discounted Aliner for sale. I have never ever camped out on or near where the claims are or where I’m prospecting so this will be a totally new experience, I do day trips or rent a room someplace doing lots of driving. I’m a little concerned about camp security, getting back in some place where turning around might be difficult and beating the camper to pieces dragging it along dirt roads (I know, slow down). I’m wondering what solutions other have found? 

I figured most of the time it would probably get in my way especially swinging a pick, although with the chest holster I bought it’s actually comfortable and pretty much out of the way but fills most all the empty space, adds a couple pounds and is a bit bulky. I bought a steel lockbox and bolted it in the Jeep with a couple grade 8 bolts so the box is hidden and the bolts are inaccessible, so I’ll have it locked up if I don’t want it handy.
 

That’s a heck of a thing, what turned out with someone shooting at you? Hopefully just some jackass target shooting and not something more sinister.

On 8/26/2020 at 4:13 PM, AMcBrideman said:

Nice Glock !! What model is it ? i really love guns, My first experience was with Glock 19 which i bought from friend because i really love this pistol i always used to use it in video games lol, before buying it i watched many videos about guns and bullets and read useful articles about bullets parts and used materials and the pistol and ammo compression on https://bulkmunitions.com/what-are-the-parts-of-ammunition/  for guns and ammo details because i think it’s important to know all these basics before start using guns. Now i’m planning to buy a Wilson Combat EDC X9, what do you think about it ?

The Wilson’s a beautiful handgun it shows the quality I’ve never had the opportunity to shoot one but it’s an impressive piece and I’d prefer carrying 9mm over the 10mm if it would have worked for me. Mines a Glock 40, with the long slide. It’s a lot of gun to handle and the 40’s heavy I can only imagine the 20 let alone the 29 must be a recoil beast being so small shooting the 10mm. Years ago I had a S&W 44mag other than the recoil of the Glock  feeling soft compared to the sharper 44mag the 10mm is not that much less, just more comfortable. The one thing the Glock has over a hammer fire is the recoil is centered lower on the gun making it slightly easier to control.

3 hours ago, Jim in Idaho said:

I've often thought that we are, more often then we think,  on the ragged edge of serious trouble. I've spent a really large part of my life in the outdoors, and usually alone. I've called in mountain lions, alone. many, many coyotes, bobcats, and other predators.Been stuck in snow in high mountain passes. Waded raging rivers while fly fishing. A large number of those situations could easily haven turned from good stories to tell, to tragedies. All it would have taken was one small misstep, or piece of bad luck. And we've all BTDT, and have the T-shirts, and the hats.

Jim

So true, reading your words really points out the need to respect how quickly a wonderful day can go completely south, and to be prepared because on occasion it will.

It’s about the adventure, the chance and the little rewards along the way...

What Steve and flak said, there is no getting around the fact hot rocks make life tough ground balance and proper tuning your detector are great steps in the right direction. After a while you will as you mentioned begin to get the feel for the difference between the hot rock and other signals but that is still just a guess, if you are in a good area put fewer hot rocks under the coil by slowing down and cleaning them out allowing you to carefully scan the soil for those faint little goodies hiding there (you hope). It’s hard to get yourself to slow down and really search carefully when not finding a nugget but covering a lot of ground quickly will put a lot the loud/strong targets under your coil and make it easy to walk over the soft signal.