What types of tools does an average stacker require these days? Fake testing Definite: Neodymium / Earth magnet - jaycar? Scales, brand and type (jewellery)? Max load(300g, 500, 1kg, more)? Modes? Any of these? XRF/sigma metalytics? Acid? ----- Spare capsules to keep coins in good conditions? Debatable of usefulness. Cleaning solutions? Cloudy ammonia + baking soda
All you really need is a scale, Neodymium magnet, and thats it. The load for the scale doesn't matter. I've got 500g. Unless you know you're going to be measuring kilos, then get what you need. As long as you're buying from reputable dealers, you've got nothing to worry about.
Not sure that your average stacker can afford their own XRF tester - I think they start at about $20,000.
Just saw from the Otis post, xrf can be fooled. Ultrasonic is better? What if you buy at face to face?
If you're referring to this post, then XRF worked perfectly - see post #57 Ultrasonic probably wouldn't have worked in this case because the rounds are too thin to get a reliable measurement.
Scale, neodymium magnet and ultrasonic should cover everything you need for bars. A PMV seems to be useful for items in coin holders and assay cards - it's at the price point where it is probably attainable for quite a few stackers. XRF is an expensive bit of kit and probably only needed if you're stacking on a large scale or dealing because of the cost involved. If you buy from reputable dealers, then you should be okay, but be willing to pay the premiums they charge for the service and having all of that equipment around (and taking the time) to test metals going through their business. Silver and Gold are diamagnetic, they shouldn't be sticking to a rare-earth magnet.
To be more specific, silver should NOT be magnetic. Silver SHOULD interrupt magnetic fields, so if you put a very strong magnet near silver, you will feel a bit of resistance, but that should be it. If you put a magnet on a piece of silver and have it side down at an angle, it should slide SLOWLY.
same as stainless steel, copper, brass, aluminium, the only common metal that is magnetic is steel, iron and lead
Isnt Paint Stripper would be better for alternative, in this case??? Mr Renovator... The Acid, will chew the metal away and what you left with is a pile of Paint. :lol: :lol: :lol:
looks like magnet and scales for now and maybe an ultra later. What are the recommended scales in 2014? I suspect tech is better and cheaper as the years go on. Im guessing these conditions: *down to 100th (gold bullion later) *mode - grams, oz, ozt *pocket size thanks for the tips today
I bought these 300g scales a couple of years ago - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-300g...cal_Scientific_Equipment2&hash=item2eacc18dff Plenty of other sellers / models, some with free postage - but all will cost you about $8-10 in total. You might also consider buying some calibration weights if you want the best accuracy. There's a trick with the 300g scales that will allow you to weigh a 10oz coin / bar (311g).
