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Post by grieve on Sept 14, 2015 20:57:30 GMT 10
Hi members,
Keen newbie here from the Mid North Coast of NSW.
I have a little bit of experience fossicking, not for gold but for gemstones like sapphires, emeralds etc up near Glen Innes and Inverell about 10 years ago using sieves with moderate success.
I have done some research into some old mines and workings within a couple of hours drive from here. I've bought a couple of cheap pans and practiced panning by adding some copper filings to a bucket of dirt and panning them out.
I'm researching building my own sluice box and possibly detector. I am both an enthusiastic DIY'er and on a tight budget so looking to make as much of my own equipment as possible. I have experience in electronics mostly, also wood- and some metal-work.
Keen to join in on the fun and hopefully find my first gold soon.
Regards,
Grieve
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Post by Andy on Sept 14, 2015 21:58:47 GMT 10
G'day Grieve & welcome to the forum. You get a lot more satisfaction making something yourself rather than buying it I reckon.
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Post by grieve on Sept 14, 2015 22:02:03 GMT 10
Thanks Andy.
I agree.. I find making equipment is a great way to work towards a hobby when you can't actually be out doing it too!
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nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519 
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Post by nuggethill on Sept 15, 2015 12:38:11 GMT 10
G'day Grieve and welcome to the forum
my first detector was one I made myself back in the early 80's it was
an ETI 1500 kit with a soldered board I swapped for a copper etched one,
I spent 40 hours in construction and with the use of an oscilloscope it was ready to swing.
good luck on your adventure
Harry
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Post by grieve on Sept 18, 2015 22:54:19 GMT 10
Harry thats awesome.
I have been checking out some PI detectors by silverdog via the Geotech site, though its a little bit hard to put all the info together, or maybe I haven't done enough reading.
Im going to do some panning tomorrow at my nearest known (to me) old workings, made up some bucket classifier/sieves. Wish me luck!
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nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519
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Post by nuggethill on Sept 19, 2015 9:33:50 GMT 10
The dirt track that's between Dingo Creek Rd and the Oxley Hwy well half way between them to the left is a logging Rd that lead's down to some diggings and a 2 head stamp crusher that's still there
Dingo Creek Rd leads to Ellenbourgha Falls (sorry can't remember how to spell it). Oh P.S. I now swing a GPX5000 |
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Post by grieve on Sept 19, 2015 20:25:37 GMT 10
Thanks for the tip. Have you explored much in the Coolongolook area?
Well I went to the Paddys Creek area today. The road wasnt great after the rain, which I expected so I ditched the car and hiked about 1km in til I found the old shafts. I picked over the tailings and panned a bit out in some puddles because the creeks were either too distant or inaccessible. Found some quartz-rich gravel in the roadside cuts and took a bucket of that home to pan. (Nothing)
Being on foot I couldn't cover too much ground or carry too much. Even though I only came home with a few "crystals" for the kids I still had a good day out.
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nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519
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Post by nuggethill on Sept 20, 2015 0:02:31 GMT 10
Panned a few creeks between Mt George and Nowendoc with out finding any colour though I could have missed it as I only did a few test pans, but didn't get down to Coolongolook to tell you the truth I didn't think of it. |
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Post by grieve on Sept 20, 2015 21:07:23 GMT 10
There's more around historically than I would have thought. After yesterdays goldless effort I had questioned my panning technique but after watching many a Youtube vid I think if anything I'm an overly cautious panner. Maybe that means I'm a bit slow and not getting through as much material. Also I'm obviously not hitting up the right places either. Still plenty of options to explore though and I'm still super keen.
In a cruel twist my daughter has been playing with gold coloured glitter so I'm seeing that everywhere. Everywhere but the pan ☺
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nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519
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Post by nuggethill on Sept 20, 2015 22:29:50 GMT 10
Not to worry by the time your my age you will be as quick as lightning LOL anyway there should be undiscovered gold reefs in these areas,
Gold reefs and alluvial gold has been prospected mainly in the range country about the tributaries of the Manning River,
chiefly the Cells, Mummel and Cooplacurripa areas at Burrell Creek with some gold being found there also Mt George has received some attention.
Gloucester had a goldfield it was on Back creek now known as Copeland creek it's about 16ks west of Gloucester the reefs occur in a 5 to 6ks belt between Copeland and Bowman river
Alluvial gold was also won at Copeland , Rawdon Vale , Tuckers Creek , Burneal creek and at the head of the Bowman river
Coolongalook had narrow lenticular reefs so below where the mines are there should be diggings or some sort of sign that they chased the gold to the reef |
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Post by grieve on Sept 22, 2015 7:27:38 GMT 10
Lots more good info there, thanks. There's a few places within range for a day trip from here.
I've just gotta get out there and do it now :-)
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Post by grieve on Sept 27, 2015 20:42:14 GMT 10
I went out to Coolongolook yesterday and found the Curreeki creek mineshaft. I followed the creeks down below it and panned all the likely spots I could get to. I even brought home a bucket full of wash to pan at home because I still feel like I'm slow and don't want to waste too much time out there. I still have half a bucket to pan out but all I have to show from my trip is 2 tick bites. Starting to get a little bit disheartened.
I know there wasn't a "lot" of gold in this area compared to other places in the country, and I know I'm doing things the hard and slow way to some extent, but I thought I'd have turned up a speck of gold by now? Or am I being too impatient?
How long did it take others to find their first piece of gold?
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nuggethill
God of the Goldfields
A 4 1/2 oz find at Kingower by a friend
Posts: 519
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Post by nuggethill on Sept 28, 2015 11:10:53 GMT 10
I'll PM you
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Post by cassilis on Sept 28, 2015 18:43:55 GMT 10
G'day Grieve...I've just started panning...2 trips to same spot up Omeo VIC way. I panned 3 panfuls each on 2 trips; real slow to pan, as I'm just learning, so each pan took probably half an hour. Last pan on 2nd trip yielded tiny nugget. I probably lost one or two more overboard, and I'm optimistic of getting better with the pan and getting more gold over time. I used a green 14" Turbopan, though I've just ordered a little 10" Garrett 10" pan. I also just ordered a digital microscope too so I can actually admire my first find ! In a loupe it looks a real nice shape. When my scope arrives, I'll be able to take a picture which I'll then post here on the forum. Good luck with your next trip.
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Post by grieve on Sept 28, 2015 21:19:16 GMT 10
Thanks for replying Cassilis and congrats on your find. I look forward to seeing pics of your gold.
I have also questioned my panning speed and technique and had my eye on the Turbo pan and Garrett Supersluice pans as well, wondering if the extra riffles might compensate for my newb-handedness.
I guess its all about being in the right place too.
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