fredmason

Thanks Steve, I was not aware of that book; I will be getting it fred

thanks, plidn1...I dig more trash than anyone I know but the trash/gold ratio is not to my liking. I would still like to know what you mean by "working smart"....what do you do that makes your method so effective for you? I don't live any where near you and I am not interested in your location... just your general methods.... fred

That is a beauty!!! fred

I do a lot of digging of all types of targets but donot find that much gold. That must mean I don't "work smart"...please enlighten this unenlightened one?????? always willing to learn............ fred

Excellent subject...I bet you have a tired back from cleaning out the foil, pulltabs and foil-lined-rusty-bottletops ... fred

While out in the dale Mining area I have played with my 3030 in the all-metal coin mode...it has picked bullets and aluminm and brass out of the iron infested/hot rock infested campsites... Hopefully, I will glean some great info from the Masters...if you don't get too technical for me. fred

Mostly because I am not very smart...and because I am often more involved in watching for animals, snakes, lizards and bugs than paying attention to my detector like I should. fred

Hawkeye; the 11 commander-mono is an excelllent coil. Be aware of this, if you have a mono coil on and switch to cancel it is effectively a dead coil. However it is an effective way to pinpoint large targets. I have from time to time enjoyed some very quiet detecting--- before I checked my switch position. Also, while you are waiting just use your dd in the mono position. The coil as has been mentioned becomes a psuedo-mono...and is very sensitive but the target will seem off-center. Also, if you are working very, very close to power lines give the cancel mode a go...with the dd Good hunting

Finding your first is the most important milestone in nugget hunting...finding little ones proves you are using your detector correctly...and that assures that any of size and in range will be detected...Well Done! fred

I don't have any old loose coils to test that on...be sure you get a can of the lowest expansion injectable foam...it is used in construction to seal cracks and is very sticky...beware! fred

Thanks, Steve....I ride my detector/coils pretty easy but it is good to know what the inside is made of. I hate false signals from bumping a bush and most of my coiltek coils did that.... I wonder if a few small holes and some low-expansion foam would solve most falsing problems on coils that arenot already fully embedded??? fred

Steve, are the wires completely embedded in some glue or epoxy on the minelab coil? fred

That project reminds me of the first time I tried to rebuild a carburator for my falcon...I never did get all those parts back where they belonged... You are a handy guy! I have no doubt you will succeed. fred

Thanks Rick; I would love to read some of your meteorite stories and see some pic's. So, you tie the ladder on the rope, spin your tires to go and then have the ladders banging along until it is safe to stop???VERY EXCITING! fred

Scary too be stuck like that... were you hunting meteorites? fred

I don't have an sdc (yet) but I suspect any patch has/had gold that the sdc will "see" that was missed by other detectors/operators... However the Yuma area is a likely place that meets your criteria. fred

what the old-timers had most was time on the ground...they could not jump on their quad or motobike and cover miles and miles. They walked and while walking looked and tested... fred

for just a light cleaning I soak in white vinegar... fred

how many toys are too many??? no one can decide but you.... fred

Nice gold...if you will take a eylptical coil coil ( 7 to 10 inches) instead of that rounded plastic scoop you won't have such a hard time isolating the find from the dirt...I carry mine in my left cargo pocket...give it a try. generally the lead or gold will be in the bottom of the separator...unless you overfill the cover. fred

The lobo-st is a fine detector with the stock coil; it is even more sensitive with the small e coil...also a great little coin and junk hunter... fred

You should have been able to use the xterra on tailings if you could use it on open ground...Since you have a general purpose Safari why not get a dedicated gold machine like the Goldbug pro...it is also a fun little toy for coins and such.... fred

Chris, there are Holes in detectors, there are hole in settings, there are holes in the swing and there are holes in my head...with exception of my head, that does sound like a great article... fred

Very pretty, you live in the heart of some great gold country. My biggest nugget yet came from across the river...1.4 oz....and lots of smaller bits and pieces too. fred

Fantastic find and a great lesson from Digger Bob...you don't know what it is until you dig it... fred