Hand tools a Newbie uses.

Hi all,

This is a selection of tools I use when out working crevices and other nooks and crannies.

I also have a selection of pans and two bucket sieves I have made. I also have some knee pads, (old knees feel the rocks) a couple of pair of gloves, and some crocs, don't need gumboots up here..

I am putting up the pic so that people new to the game can get an idea of the kind of tools that can be easily found around the house and be used for getting into small spaces to open them up and get at the pay dirt.

When I go out, I usually use a small "Army" entrenching tool, about 18 inches long with folding pick and shovel blade. I also carry a larger shovel and mattock pick in the car to assist moving the bigger stuff.

I will be adding a small /narrow dust pan, ($2 plastic gutter cleaning scoop that would fit in some tight places)...

The bottom left of the photo is a small bag that has a notebook, first aid kit and snakebite bandages, and small plastic container that any interesting rocks go into.

The small item at the bottom of the photo is a crab claw picker, found it in an op shop for 0.50c, great for getting in the small holes...

I keep all this gear in a small canvas carry bag when not strewn around a rock pile.

Let me know if anything is missing or you have questions on what anything is.

Cheers Tone

Ooohhhhh! thankyou so much for the ideas

Im going to bunnings tomorrow

Great set o tools there.
Give newbs an idea what to look for.

Thanks Tone.

Missed the broad brimmed hat, sunscreen and water bottle lol

Probally add:

Long nose tweezers
Cold chisel to go with the mallet to save the tip on the geo pick
Mask and snorkel for those interested in sniping
Probally wouldn't hurt to throw in a leatherman type tool, they are so handy in the bush

Just to clarify Joe, I use the combo nail puller / breaker bar as a chisel, works for now, I guess I will curse my apathy when I find a rock with gold in it and I cant gouge it out or carry it home!

I do carry a few other tools, I have a folding pocket knife in the bits box, as far as a mask and snorkel go, I save that for the trips to the other reef in my neck of the woods! The Great Barrier Reef!!

Cheers, Tone

Thanks for sharing, I'm a newbie and this information is gold to me.
I'd like to know how you carry it around.
Do you bag them or have a tool belt?

I carry this around in a khaki satchel bag I bought for 10 buck at a camping store.. I have added a few items and will put an updated pic up soon..

very good inexpensive advice - well done. I spotted one of those chargeable vacuum cleaners in one blokes gear once!!

Hi All,
Here are some pics of my crevicing kit.

Great array of tools guys and it doesn't cost the earth too. Nothing beats experience as you quickly discover what it is that you will be bringing with on the next trip and what you wished you had on a particular trip. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be visiting the local Bunnings in the morning.

backcreek said:

Hi All,
Here are some pics of my crevicing kit.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162549_gedc1249_800x600_2.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162788_gedc1251_800x600.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162918_gedc1250_800x600.jpg

Click to expand...

Nice collection backcreek. What is in that bottle next to you hammer?

Backcreek - that carabiner hook (or snap-hook) as a handle is a brilliant idea. I have a coil bag that I tie a bit of old mongrel rope around - your idea is a winner for me.

(Beagleboy - the one with the tube - that's his gold snuffer bottle for sucking up flour gold from his pan is my guess. The bottle next to it is for his GOLD!!)

loamer said:

Backcreek - that carabiner hook (or snap-hook) as a handle is a brilliant idea. I have a coil bag that I tie a bit of old mongrel rope around - your idea is a winner for me.

(Beagleboy - the one with the tube - that's his gold snuffer bottle for sucking up flour gold from his pan is my guess. The bottle next to it is for his GOLD!!)

Click to expand...

I meant the bottle on the left of the hammer with blue liquid in it. Is it detergent?

Sorry mate - my guess is yes, it breaks the surface tension in the water. However, as Backcreek is from NSW, its probably skin moisturiser!

loamer said:

Sorry mate - my guess is yes, it breaks the surface tension in the water. However, as Backcreek is from NSW, its probably skin moisturiser!

Click to expand...

))))))

loamer said:

Sorry mate - my guess is yes, it breaks the surface tension in the water. However, as Backcreek is from NSW, its probably skin moisturiser!

Click to expand...

Funny

Beagleboy said:

backcreek said:

Hi All,
Here are some pics of my crevicing kit.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162549_gedc1249_800x600_2.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162788_gedc1251_800x600.jpg
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/img/member-images/277/1379162918_gedc1250_800x600.jpg

Click to expand...

Nice collection backcreek. What is in that bottle next to you hammer?

Click to expand...

The blue bottle next to the rock hammer is cheap home brand dish washer rinse aid. I add this to the panning water to break the surface tension which stops the fine gold floating.

gavfromoz said:

Great array of tools guys and it doesn't cost the earth too. Nothing beats experience as you quickly discover what it is that you will be bringing with on the next trip and what you wished you had on a particular trip. Thanks for the heads up, I'll be visiting the local Bunnings in the morning.

Click to expand...

The most used tool in my kit is the hook looking tool with the green and black handle (bottom centre) I got it from a $2 shop.
It's great for scraping out cracks and now the point has worn thin it's even better. I also use it to break up compacted gravel.

Great example Backcreek. I boyght one of those gutter cleaners for $2. I have added a 800mm crowbar and a good sized cold chisel to my kit. I think it weighs under 6kg so not a burden on lobg walks.

I dont carry the hand lotion though..

Cheers, Tone

Thanks Tone,
I don't carry the hand lotion either. Seeing as my car is only 20m from me I leave it there :lol:
I also have with me a full size pick and a 6ft plumbers bar, great for moving those larger rocks.
At a pinch if I need to move a really big rock I could run out the winch cable from the 80 series