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 Replies: 16 / Views: 5,660 |
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
I am considering buying an XRF analyzer. My family owns a ton of acreage in the mountains of NC and I want to metal detect over there. From what I understand, from talking to historians who live in that area, there was some action there during the Revolutionary War. Who knows what I may find.  Then again, I may find absolutely nothing.  1. What is a good XRF analyzer for precious metals that can be found at a reasonable price? 2. Is there another item I could purchase which can identify precious metal content in a coin, so that I don't have to spend as much? |
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9866 Posts |
Quote:
2. Is there another item I could purchase which can identify precious metal content in a coin, so that I don't have to spend as much? It's called research, and all it costs is some of your time. "Dipping" is not considered cleaning...
-from PCGS website
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Moderator
 Australia
16857 Posts |
Portable XRF devices are not cheap - they cost about the price of a mid-sized car: new about US$35,000, here's a second-hand one on ebay for $20,000. It's not the sort of item you purchase just out of curiosity. To buy a new one, you really should be getting a quote from a supplier. As for alternatives, there's not much else that's both portale and non-destructive. At the analytical chemistry lab where I work, we've got an ICP. It costs about a quarter million dollars, is the size of a compact car and you need a tank of liquid argon attached to it. And the sample also has to be dissolved in acid first. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Valued Member
 United States
408 Posts |
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It's called research, and all it costs is some of your time. Wrong. The truth of the matter is that there are many websites out there which are just paid advertisements for their products. Companies will pay for positive reviews. So, just finding information on the web is not enough if you don't know which sites are credible. I can shell out the $15,000-$35,000, but if there is a better and more financially sound method or product that will not damage the substance being tested, then I am all ears. That's why I asked the forum. There are many credible people on this site that may have an answer that I have not thought of. Remember, just because you have money to burn does not mean you want to burn money. What does DBM stand for anyway? Do I need to research that too? |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Type xrf in upper left search box. John1  |
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
That was the first thing I did John. Nothing about purchasing one came up in the first 30 links.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
The first 4 are ads for xrf's, new and used when I did it. John1 |
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
Not looking for ads. I want people who know their stuff to chime in.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I remember a CCF member bought one. Can't recall who though,sorry. John1 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
830 Posts |
I think it was davec13 that has a xrf.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1745 Posts |
Not exactly sure why you need the XRF. If you find anything of any substantial age, I would think the intrinsic value would be much less than the numismatic value. By the way, I have one at work and they can be very expensive to purchase, calibrate and maintain. In MN, you also need a license to operate Ionizing-Radiation Producing Equipment.
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
Thanks Duke for the information. This is why I wanted to talk to someone before I purchased one. I did not know what the laws are. I will have to check my state to see if I am even allowed to own one or if I need a license.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Fortunately, I have free access to one; my next door neighbor is a Phd materials scientist.
He also has an electron microscope in a shed built specifically for it. This instrument is supported with 1,000 litres of liquid nitrogen stored in a secure stainless steel pressure tank. He acquired the EM on the cheap, because it was replaced by a much more capable instrument by his employer.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
508 Posts |
I also don't understand why you would be looking to buy an xrf. The logic seems to be: 1. I would like to metal detect, 2. I might find some coins, 3. I need an xrf to determine metal content. ?
I would think most coins you will know their metal content once you definitively identify them.
For coins you are suspicious aren't legitimate or other artifacts that might be precious metal you could use other tests like specific gravity or the touch stones and wet chemicals that jewelers use to determine 12, 14, 18, 22, etc K gold.
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Valued Member
United States
408 Posts |
wheatiefan: Allow me to explain.
I don't just metal detect, I buy old coins and silver bullion. I spent quite a bit a year, so an xrf analyzer can be worth the cost. For something of that kind of cost, I have to have a certain amount of material to examine every year or the cost is not justified.
However, if there is a more feasible way than a machine that I have to maintain or get a license for, I am all ears.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 5,660 |
Posted 09/20/2016 04:59 am
