Gold Monster 2000 Nugget Finder Heavy Duty Skid Plates

[phrunt]

Anyone that's put some hours on the GM2000 has quickly relalized that the skid plates once again are made out of something like recycled ice cream containers much like the GPX 6000 coils.

Fortunately, Nugget Finder has come to the rescue with their heavy duty skid plates

They should be available at Nugget Finder dealers but they're in stock at Gold Rat Engineering (Highbanker.com.au)

Any coil scrubber is going to need these, and I know @Lunk will be suitably happy about this after burning through skid plates.

@PhaseTech do you intend to stock these? If so, I'll buy mine off you rather than elsewhere.

 

 

[Aureous]

Finally, after 14 weeks of use, the first coil cover on mine has split and as usual, the split is on the edge. I have simply rotated it 90 degrees and applied a couple dabs of silicon to hold it in place. Plenty of 'meat' left on it to keep going. Once it splits again, its a toss-out and I'll apply the included replacement. After that, the NF version will get a run. Usually NF make these from ABS so they should last a lot longer.

[Mike C...]

Well since NF isn't shipping to the US anymore I guess were screwed -Thx 😕

[TheDeepseeker]

5 hours ago, phrunt said:

Anyone that's put some hours on the GM2000 has quickly relalized that the skid plates once again are made out of something like recycled ice cream containers much like the GPX 6000 coils.

 

I believe it's actually a proprietary material the same as minelab uses in many of their components Simon. They alluded to it in an earlier patent for their shaft twist lock.....

Application Number: 202514836

Category- Mechanical Locking Mechanisms

Invention Overview:-

A Flexible Twist-lock mechanism, made from cheese-like plastic, to connect an upper and lower metal detector shaft, in a vain attempt to prevent the joined shafts from twisting.

The mechanism consists of a non-wear resistant groove, traversed by a raised pimple of said cheese-like plastic, as the mechanism is twisted in an attempt to lock it. Incorporated into the design is enough flexibility and low-strength characteristics to allow the locking motion to override and become loose again, causing either mirth or anger depending on who is using the equipment and who is looking on.

[phrunt]

6 minutes ago, TheDeepseeker said:

A Flexible Twist-lock mechanism, made from cheese-like plastic, to connect an upper and lower metal detector shaft, in a vain attempt to prevent the joined shafts from twisting.

Cheese-like plastic? 🙂  Soft cheese I assume like feta. I don't know what I've done with my GPX 6000 stock coils, I don't use them anymore so they're likely out in the shed or in a box somewhere but they have the plastic recycling number on them or it might of been on the packaging when you buy them separately saying the plastic type, I had a packaged 11" from when mine was replaced being faulty so I may have seen the recycling number on that? I don't recall.

It is the same plastic recycling code ice cream containers are made of, makes it flexible like an ice cream container but it wears very quickly when rubbed on the ground, it's why lots of people put tape on their 6000 coils where they rub the scoop over them as they noticed how quickly the scoop is wearing away the plastic on the coil by scratching it very easily.  The good thing about it is it's very light, and they've been able to make the coils and skid plates very light by using it, you can bet these NF heavy duty skid plates weigh more than the stock ones so something to consider for people that want the lightest stuff possible.  They make them for the 6000 and GM2000 but don't declare weights.

[TheDeepseeker]

6 hours ago, phrunt said:

Cheese-like plastic? 🙂  Soft cheese I assume like feta. 

 

That's correct Simon. I believe the standard benchmark at minelab QC is white danish rather than athenos traditional.

[Jonathan Porter]

I don't get what all the fuss is about, the 6000 skid plates are plenty thick but also soft enough to avoid too much noise when they clip the ground. I've NEVER worn through a skid plate on the 6000 and if you are then you are either like @Aureous and doing a million hours on them or you're a coil bashing scrubber. 🫠  (people in super stoney gully country are forgiven and excepted 🤣).

Hard plastics have too high a tensile IMHO and make a lot of noise on the ground especially on the bigger coils. 

[dig4gold]

On 2/4/2026 at 10:19 AM, Aureous said:

Finally, after 14 weeks of use, the first coil cover on mine has split and as usual, the split is on the edge. I have simply rotated it 90 degrees and applied a couple dabs of silicon to hold it in place. Plenty of 'meat' left on it to keep going. Once it splits again, its a toss-out and I'll apply the included replacement. After that, the NF version will get a run. Usually NF make these from ABS so they should last a lot longer.

Split or worn through? Mine generally wear on the front nose edge. I take the skid plate off. Apply some tape on the inside corner to hold the shape & give the worn hole/crack a backing. I then mix up some araldite, cut a strip of bandage gauze as reinforcing, smear some araldite on the worn area, lay in the gauze & apply more araldite over it smoothing it off best as possible. When hardened peel off the tape & fit the skid plate back on but put the repaired area to the back of the coil. Certainty gives it a lot more life

At the end of the day the skid plate is to protect the actual coil.That is there job. They are going to wear out. They are repairable, as I do, or you just replace them. I don't get the issue of them being made out of ice cream container type plastic or what ever. When worn just replace or repair. No biggy.

D4G

  

[Aureous]

@dig4gold, I couldnt agree more... no sense in chucking it out if its only split on the edge....it will wear out on the section of the cover most at risk while the rest is only mildly affected. Reinforcing it is wise (Araldite-Epoxy glue) and practical. I just rotate the cover 90 degrees and secure with a dot or two of silicon....it will then start wearing out in that location lol. After a few individual splits, its 'throw out' time and I'll put on the replacement. Another 4 hours this morning (gonna be 35 degrees C here) for 19 bits...over 1gm. Another lazy AU$200