Picks for detecting

[robbor]

In my gear im using a small estwing rock pick, and watching youtube videos i notice alot using picks with a wide end, seems like the would work better. Im on a tight budged but would like to get some ideas of light picks that work well. Was even thinking about having my knife making buddy make me a really hard pick head, so need some ideas and suggestions. Tyring to get all my gear squared around before i make another outing. Last outing i realized i should have brought a large chisel and sledge just in case and a prybar wouldnt have hurt either just not to carr around.

 

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[extractor]

I prospect at least 2 hours away from where I live. In the truck I probably have 8 different pick type tools . I have learned over the years, encountering different digging situations, I need to have a variety of devices with me to separate the soil effectively. HH Extractor

 

[patches63]

www.apexpick.com not cheap, but a proper digger speeds recovery time.more time swingin=more au. american made, in idaho.mine has 3 rare earth magnets grabs nails,tacks, etc. as your digging.good luck.

 

[mikepanner]

Robbor, I'm on a tight budget too, I've been using a standard pick-adz at 2 and a half pound head and there are 5 pound head ones too for the serious digging. After breaking a few handles, now I have a fiberglass reinforced handle 2 1/2 pound head. sometimes miss the shock absorbtion of the old wood handle though. I get mine from pretty much any hardware store for 17 to 23 dollars, wood or fiberglass reinforced. There are better ones out there but about 3 times the cost. Good luck finding you a digging tooll. P.S. some people have made their own out of a piece of automobile leaf spring and pipe welded on for a handle hole. Just some ideas.

Mike G.

 

[Kid Saxon]

In my gear im using a small estwing rock pick, and watching youtube videos i notice alot using picks with a wide end, seems like the would work better. Im on a tight budged but would like to get some ideas of light picks that work well. Was even thinking about having my knife making buddy make me a really hard pick head, so need some ideas and suggestions. Tyring to get all my gear squared around before i make another outing. Last outing i realized i should have brought a large chisel and sledge just in case and a prybar wouldnt have hurt either just not to carr around.

If you can weld or know someone that can a section of leaf spring works well as a pick. Chuck

 

[dave wiseman]

kid,you have the young fellow on the right track.......

 

[Functional]

I know what it is to have a tight budget, which is why I used to use an modified autobody hammer, or a full sized pick axe. This past summer, I started to find some deals on more appropriate prospecting tools when helping out a friend at a flea market. Over the summer I've bought a medium sized pick axe, (only about 4 pounds), one rock hammer/pick with wooden handle, one estwing rock hammer/pick with fiberglass handle, then I picked up a rock drill, center punch and chiesel, all about one inch in diameter and 19 inches long. Total investment for the summer: about $30 Canadian. That includes the La Trap sluice box I got for $10.00. Now I just need to find a small sledgehammer, (my 10 pound sledge is a little awkward at times, especially in tight places).

F.

 

[Hoser John]

When it comes to picks I always buy ESTWING anything. I still use my rock hammer I got for my 10th birthday almost 50 years ago and a great crevice tool it still is. Now I have a question--A $10 LE TRAP WOW-color me green with envy--great tool at a fantastic price-tons a au 2 u 2 -John

 

[kiwi jw]

G'day Robber, As has been said. If you can weld or have a mate that does you can cut out a pick head shape, like the one you have mentiond with the wide blade & the same as the head on this link that was put up http://apexpicks.com/, out of an old motor vehicle leaf spring. The natural curve of the leaf spring & the tough spring metal it is made from is ideal & I have made one myself. You can also drill a hole in the end of the wooden handle & glue in a rear earth magnet that you can use to wave over a target & if it is iron junk it will " clunk" onto the magnet & save you time wasted on digging a fruitless hole for rubbish. Nothing worse than digging & digging & digging & then sorting through the pile of dirt only to find a boot tack or very thin rusted out nail the size or thiness of a needle. Especially if it is in the bottom a crevice or caught up in the crack of schist.

Happy golding

Kiwi JW

 

[Functional]

When it comes to picks I always buy ESTWING anything. I still use my rock hammer I got for my 10th birthday almost 50 years ago and a great crevice tool it still is. Now I have a question--A $10 LE TRAP WOW-color me green with envy--great tool at a fantastic price-tons a au 2 u 2 -John

Strangely enough, my Le Trap is black, not the common green color. I wonder if its a knock-off? I only noticed the propensity towards green Le Traps, when looking to see what other sizes there were. Never did find another black one in Google Images, so I have my suspicions. I did find an interesting folding highbanker made using a Le Trap: http://prospecting.atspace.com/LeTrap-folding-highbanker.html

And from the same website, I found the cheap "potato method" for melting gold: http://prospecting.50webs.com/meltingsmelting1.html

Now, I just need to get out more before it gets too cold. There's already been some snow at higher altitudes, so there isn't much season left for gold recovery here.

F.

 

[shepcal]

Robbor, All the real picks out there (made for prospectors and by prospectors) are great, yet sometimes a bit pricey. I was looking for just the right one and decided to make my own. It's cut out of a 24" tractor disc (damn hard steel). Welded a 1 1/2" x 3" pipe on it and stuck a good handle on it. My blades (flat end) range from 5" to 8" (big bertha!). First one I made (3 years ago), I still use and is still fine.
I don't sell them. Made mine for personnal use. Had some metal left over and made more and give them away or trade. I have 1 w/ a 5 1/2" blade left, w/o a handle. If you can put a handle into an 1 1/2 pipe and secure it, AND want to pay shipping, I'll send it to you- free gratus.
If interested, send me message

Shep

 

[russau]

i made my pick from a old car leaf spring. it has the magnets on it aswell! lots cheaper.

 

[extractor]

Robbor, All the real picks out there (made for prospectors and by prospectors) are great, yet sometimes a bit pricey. I was looking for just the right one and decided to make my own. It's cut out of a 24" tractor disc (damn hard steel). Welded a 1 1/2" x 3" pipe on it and stuck a good handle on it. My blades (flat end) range from 5" to 8" (big bertha!). First one I made (3 years ago), I still use and is still fine.
I don't sell them. Made mine for personnal use. Had some metal left over and made more and give them away or trade. I have 1 w/ a 5 1/2" blade left, w/o a handle. If you can put a handle into an 1 1/2 pipe and secure it, AND want to pay shipping, I'll send it to you- free gratus.
If interested, send me message

Shep

Made for prospectors and by prospectors, ,I know a lot of prospecters ,and that statement is very accurate

 

[robbor]

shepcal, pm sent