My favorite coin shop in Sacramento just got one of these a couple of months ago and I know he loves it. Heck, I love being able to stop in there and ask if he could test something for me. There's only a couple of coin shops in Sacramento that I go to but mostly it's just this one guy cause on occasion I can actually find something that I can make a few bucks on plus, if I ask him for a good deal on something he's more likely than anyone else to give me a decent break. I don't know if he owns the one in the pic or not, all I know is that it cost more than $10,000 so that would be a good reason why alot of store owners don't buy them. Anyways, here are the questions: Do you have a local coin shop that has a mass spectrometer? If so is it a box or is it a hand held? This thread is simply for conversation, nothing more and nothing less. :thumb: Oh, actually the device tests all kinds of PM's not just gold. :yes: http://www.bruker-axs.com/handheldx-rayspectrometry.html
I generally just use one of these: A dowsing rod. Just kidding. To be honest, I'm not familiar with that device. But to be honest, I think there's other ways (density, etc.) to figure out what a PM alloy is without using a goofy ray gun. It's probably bunk.
No they're not bunk at all, maybe a wave in the future for some areas but they are very effective especially if you have a coin you don't want touched with acid. Could be they're a bit high tech for some people I don't know. Fair enough, I'll ask the question a different way. Has anyone ever come across one of these hand held spectrometers? I have a very nice gold coin that I don't want touched with acid because it's just too beautiful of a coin. In my case the spectrometer came in like a lifesaver. :thumb:
They are becoming more common in the scrap metal industry. Mostly with yards that do high volumes of non-ferrous metals. Not only are they expensive to acquire - the spark modules ain't cheap. They burnout with use and must be replaced regularly. I believe they are made from fine silver.
Wow!! And I thought it was a one time cost and you're good to go. No wonder I've never come across another, ever.
Aw, man. I want one so bad -- but I've been a gadget geek all my life, and I've had to learn patience. I don't know how long the X-ray generator lasts, but I'm sure the silver it contributes insignificantly to its cost. Fabricating things like that where there's limited demand is expensive, and markups are huge. Now, if only someone could make one of these work with a Scotch-tape X-ray generator...
Albertsp, here is a pdf download of the information on this handheld ( which seems to be the one in the photo above). http://www.skyrayinstrument.com/PDF/EDX-Pocket-III_Brochure.pdf The largest problem, besides the cost of the instrument and consumables, will probably be incidental such as software upgrades, maintenance, etc. As it is non-destructive, it is limited to surface analysis ( The company offers a different machine to measure plating thickness, etc, but it would have to be destructive to do so. Plated coins and objects would probably test good on the surface, but would do great on non-plated objects. The instrument gives a histogram and this is run through the software for a determination of chemical element and %. ( they show several in the pdf). I would love to have use of one for gemstones as my use of a local FTIR spectrometer is suspect at times, and since college students sometime use it, it is off calibration. Jim
