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Date Posted: 16:06:06 01/22/04 Thu
Author: jim straight
Subject: Have a Beck Drywasher--- would like an original hand crank

Last week at the GPAA gold show in San Bernardino I bought a Beck drywasher. It is one of the older units, great shape and very original. It was converted to a motorized unit but still has the pulley with the two small holes to attach the hand crank. I wish to find a original-type crank for it.

Back in 1962 I had the opportunity/pleasure to drywash with Mr. Beck himself. He knew Jay Carpenter, Slim Riffles, and "Hoot" Gibson (All of which back in the 1940's played
"high stakes" poker and one pot was reportedly per "Hoot" over $3000 in Red Mountain)

This association, mainly due to Mr. Gibson and Mr. Riffles who were acquainted with me, opened the door for me with Mr. Beck. I helped Mr. Beck by mainly shoveling, keeping my mouth shut and watching and learning. At this time (1962-64) a Beck sold for $180. With four small kids--- one going to a private school--- $180 was a fortune, too steep for me.

I was working shift work at Kaiser Steel in Fontana and my
days off varied; mainly during the week. This worked out well as Mr. Beck worked as curator of the Randsburg museum during weekends. Mr. Beck sold his claim and then mainly spent his time building his machine. He slowly became more blind (Cataracts) but could cut by feel. Never lost a finger.

I bought a used drywasher from Wilkenson. Then later (1967
after I left Kaiser and started teaching I bought two
Nick's Nuggets. Just in the process of selling one as this will give me a Beck and a Nick's.

Incidentally: I first became involved drywashing back in the 1930's. I helped by dragging wood to burn. This was at Osceola back during the Depression. Wet dirt was spread out on old corregated roofing tin propped up under rocks and old bricks and dried by buring local brush/dead wood.

Drywashing is slow but steady. If the right ground is "washed" a considerable amount of small gold can be recovered in the top foot of ground.

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