New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

 

The forum has moved to community.paydirt.co.nz, see you there!

This forum is now an archive to preserve the knowledge and finds posted here.

Gold Scales  
Posted : Sunday, 4 December 2011 10:42:44 PM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

I was thrilled to find this forum so thanks to whoever started it.
I decided to use the username of Gold Scales because I am a small collector of Gold & Bullion Scale including Troy weights also coin scales and coin weights.
I live in Dunedin. I am very interested in buying a Gold detector for use around the rocks in Central Otago.
I am also interested in using a Gold Detector down some underground schist rock caves, these are mostly about 3m deep of water (during summer)
You can keep crawling through the tunnels where the water goes further underground. There has been a lot of weed that has grown in the pond and during Summer the water level drops a little making access to parts that are normally covered in water.
At some time this was a natural water way and a decent water flow ran through it.
I just want to work over the area and do the best job that I can without thinking I may have missed something. So I am interested in learning what is the best Gold Detector to use for this specific job.
I would appreciate anyone’s help or ideas. Thank you!
nzpoohbear40  
Posted : Sunday, 4 December 2011 11:04:54 PM(UTC)
nzpoohbear40

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 14/07/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,482
Man
New Zealand
Location: Matura

Thanks: 26 times
Was thanked: 384 time(s) in 329 post(s)
Hi and wellcome to the forum...reading your post it sounds like you are looking for a machine that you can completly submerg underwater...i cant speak for all makers of detectors but in th fisher line there are 2 machines that will go under water...you have the CZ21 and the 1280X..both are submersable up to 250 feet
which is well past your 3M you are talking about going.they arnt acually designed spesificly for gold but are the only 2 underwater machines.
the goldbug2 is designed for gold and has an extra long coil wire and the computer housing can be detached and hooked onto a belt or back pack so you can get deeper into the water however the headunit cant go underwater.of the 2 that do go under water i would say the CZ21 is the better as it has 2 operating frequency's and can be run in both salt water and fresh water.
will look more into it or you can contact rgmcbrid on the forum here as he is the fisher dealer.
Chris - Fisher Dealer http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/
Lammerlaw  
Posted : Sunday, 4 December 2011 11:12:34 PM(UTC)
Lammerlaw

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,721

Thanks: 72 times
Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)
Welcome to the forum Gold Scales - Your scales sound interesting and the collecting of scales is an interesting hobby...I have collected a few myself and find them to be interesting as there are so many different size Gold scales, both European ones and Chinese.
Gold Scales  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 10:22:27 AM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

Thanks. Having one that can go under water is really the 2nd option.
It would be nice to use one walking up some of the streams and checking for Gold.
Can just get a water proof dish?

A friend has offered me the loan of one but I am a little worried with borrowing it in case something goes wrong with it.

I really enjoy collecting Gold Scales and weights. It is amazing how may different models and sizes that were made.
Collecting Troy cup weight is really a nightmare as it is extremely hard to make up a set from individual weights even when they fit right the marking will not line up.
All good fun!!

What is the cost of a Gold bug detector?
Is it wise to buy a 2nd hand detector or are they in the line of (chainsaw, lawn mower, weed wackers) if you loan them out they usually come back ----.
All the best
Lammerlaw  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 10:43:33 AM(UTC)
Lammerlaw

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,721

Thanks: 72 times
Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)
Originally Posted by: Gold Scales Go to Quoted Post
Thanks. Having one that can go under water is really the 2nd option.
It would be nice to use one walking up some of the streams and checking for Gold.
Can just get a water proof dish?

A friend has offered me the loan of one but I am a little worried with borrowing it in case something goes wrong with it.

I really enjoy collecting Gold Scales and weights. It is amazing how may different models and sizes that were made.
Collecting Troy cup weight is really a nightmare as it is extremely hard to make up a set from individual weights even when they fit right the marking will not line up.
All good fun!!

What is the cost of a Gold bug detector?
Is it wise to buy a 2nd hand detector or are they in the line of (chainsaw, lawn mower, weed wackers) if you loan them out they usually come back ----.
All the best


If they dont line up have you thought that after 100 years and more a few drops onto the floor and knocks on the side from one source and another might cause the barest, barely perceptible distortion which affects their alignment and fit.

I bought at auction in Dunedin a set which I was as please as Punch over as it was a set of nesting weights up to and including 32 ounces so the set totalled 9 weights. At a garage sale in Dunedin a short time ago I also picked up a single nesting weight a few years ago though where the remainder of the set went is anyones guess.
Gold Scales  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 1:09:09 PM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

Sorry what I meant was that Any true original sets of Troy cup weight that I have seen will
Firstly fit very snugly inside one and another doesn't matter how old they are eg not rattle if they rattle they are not from the same original set.
2nd when the weights fit snugly inside each other and you line up the marking they should all line up together with all the numbers stamped in line and all the words Troy stamped in a line. (looking from the outside cup weight to the inside cup weight)
Different sets may have different marking but generally they will have Troy and the weight stamped on each rim.
Your 32 oz set would be very nice. I have a lot of individual cup weights that seem to all be slightly different, they are all Troy cup weights but won't stack inside each other.
When I started collecting I thought that the angle and size of each cup weight with the same Troy weight stamped on them would be the same. Hell was I wrong!
It is good fun though.
Lammerlaw  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 1:27:06 PM(UTC)
Lammerlaw

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,721

Thanks: 72 times
Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)
Gold Scales - I cannot argue with you on any points tohugh do beg to differ on your point - 'Firstly fit very snugly inside one and another doesn't matter how old they are eg not rattle if they rattle they are not from the same original set.' - I once had some which were quite a poor fit due to the ravages of time and the treatment they got - quite original and complete except that they had been mistreated and abused somewhat having been in everyday use and obviously carted about and knocked aobut.

Yes originally they would have nestled neatly inside each other with all the markings lining up - OZ Troy X (the weight) - but time na dmishandling do tend to put small dints in some and even knock one of hte weights a little out of round, so that they dont in fact line up as they should or fit inside each other as they should and yet can still be original.

A few of my scales and the 32 oz weights can be seen in my thread 'Lammerlaws Treasure - Relics of the goldfields.'

Gold Scales  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 3:15:20 PM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

Wow that is fantastic I am going to need a little more time to read and look at your pictures. A great surprise to see your pistols they are really fantastic.
I would love to have a go with an old pistol like that just to see how hard it must have been to shoot your target or how much practice was needed. I imagine all the people with poor eyesight wouldn't have lasted long.
Must try and catch up on that tonight, Thanks for pointing it out. All the best
rgmcbrid  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 6:35:24 PM(UTC)
rgmcbrid

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/06/2010(UTC)
Posts: 583
Man
Location: Southland

Thanks: 23 times
Was thanked: 180 time(s) in 140 post(s)
High Gold Scales,

In the spirit of full disclosure I sell fisher detectors. (A new Gold Bug is $750 delivered) Used detectors typically hold up pretty well and I would net discourage you from buying, the only real downside is that the warranty does not transfer to new owners.

Lammer,

How did the gold hunt go?
creamer  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 7:01:08 PM(UTC)
creamer

Rank: Gold Ingot

Medals: Donation: Made a donation helping cover the running costs of the site - thank you :)

Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2,022
Man
Location: Bay of Islands

Thanks: 2289 times
Was thanked: 525 time(s) in 391 post(s)
Welcome the the site Gold Scales. Nice finds to you.

Shane
Garrett Ace 350
Xpointer



www.nzfossickers.co.nz
Lammerlaw  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 9:01:18 PM(UTC)
Lammerlaw

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,721

Thanks: 72 times
Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)
Originally Posted by: rgmcbrid Go to Quoted Post
High Gold Scales,

In the spirit of full disclosure I sell fisher detectors. (A new Gold Bug is $750 delivered) Used detectors typically hold up pretty well and I would net discourage you from buying, the only real downside is that the warranty does not transfer to new owners.

Lammer,

How did the gold hunt go?


Well I am a relic of the 'old days' so I had never actually found gold with a detector until Saturday when I found a tiny nugget away up at near 3000 feet altitude with my Goldbug - on the way back to the truck but still away up on the mountain my son got a nugget that weighed a shade under 1/4 ounce with my Minelab - see photo in my thread 'Lammerlaws History' I think he put it - he took the photo just as he was picking it up and we would have spent some time there except it began to rain and looked really ominous so we had to get off the mountain quick as the truck was still nearly a fair way off and we had to drive it up and out over two steep clay sections in the track and didnt want to get trapped on the wrong side of the gullies and have to walk.
nzpoohbear40  
Posted : Monday, 5 December 2011 10:45:37 PM(UTC)
nzpoohbear40

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 14/07/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,482
Man
New Zealand
Location: Matura

Thanks: 26 times
Was thanked: 384 time(s) in 329 post(s)
Hi gold scales..yes you can use the goldbug in streams and even along the shores of the lakes and ocean as long as you dont put the head unit under water..
all the coils are waterproof..and you can extend the shaft to get deaper into the water so if you walk in up to your waist or a bit above it is ok..just dont get the control unit wet..lol
Chris - Fisher Dealer http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/
Gold Scales  
Posted : Tuesday, 6 December 2011 12:19:46 PM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

Fantastic I appreciate that very much.
How different is the sound from Gold to any other metals.
A friend just showed me his Gold detector and said I could try it out to see what it is like (Garrett Gold finder model A3B) but with only having a short play I couldn't distinguish between the sound of Gold and metal?
Does the Goldbug have a different sound when it is picking up Gold.
Many thanks Tony
KGBee  
Posted : Wednesday, 7 December 2011 8:12:46 PM(UTC)
KGBee

Rank: Gold Nugget

Groups: Registered
Joined: 30/09/2011(UTC)
Posts: 30
Man
Location: Nelson

Thanks: 4 times
Was thanked: 4 time(s) in 4 post(s)
Hi Gold Scales, and welcome.
Garrett make at least 4 different detector models that can be completely submerged.

http://www.garrett.com/h...on_promotions_intnl.aspx

How deep? Well, from 3 feet down to 200 feet.
How long can you hold your breath?
I bought the AT Gold. Just wanted something that rain and the odd fall/drop into a river wouldn't be a cause of concern.

Gold Scales  
Posted : Wednesday, 7 December 2011 9:51:24 PM(UTC)
Gold Scales

Rank: Gold Dust

Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1
Location: Dunedin

Thank you KGBee Yes I really wanted something that I could use walking up small creeks and using it under a little water.
Another local member suggested the AT Gold and said I could have a look at his one.
I have been offered the use of a Goldbug 2 so I will have a play with that at Christmas time and see how that goes.
Thanks very much for everyone's comments.
nzpoohbear40  
Posted : Wednesday, 7 December 2011 9:54:38 PM(UTC)
nzpoohbear40

Rank: Gold Ingot

Groups: Registered
Joined: 14/07/2011(UTC)
Posts: 1,482
Man
New Zealand
Location: Matura

Thanks: 26 times
Was thanked: 384 time(s) in 329 post(s)
unfortunatly i havnt found gold nuggets with my goldbug yet as i havnt been into gold country yet...i would say it definatly has a lower number than the likes of a gold ring but as for sound...nt sure
Chris - Fisher Dealer http://www.puiakisupply.co.nz/