Dimensions for Swinging Dowser

[Toadie]

Here is a sketch and dimensions for the pendulum dowser my Great Uncle made. The hollow cavity is filled with exactly 12 drops of mercury. I have no idea where a person can obtain mercury now a days unless you break open a lot of thermometers.

The entire rig is made out of stainless steel. Regular steel gives false readings. The pendulum swings towards the items and if you are directly above it it swings in circles. This mounts to a modified camera tripod and where the camera mounting bolt is removed and a an eye bolt is substituted with the same thread pitch.

I am posting this as a reference to those interested in this set up. You can mount a spotting scope on top and use basic triangulation to pinpoint.

[Toadie]

The chain on the one I use is stainless steel. It looks kinda like a pull chain but the top ball as it comes from the tripod is about a quarter inch. Then it steadily gets smaller as it goes down. I think it is the chain out of a snake whip.

[aarthrj3811]

Hey Toadie...I have heard of this method. I looked around my garage and I have everything I need except for the chain. Do you have any more information about the 12 drops of Mercury ? An eye dropper would be the thing to use but thought I would ask...Art

[Toadie]

An eye dropper is what we have. My Father informed me that 8 drops of Mercury would be more than enough. I am familiar with using the swinging dowser but I always used 12 drops until Dad told me Uncle Johnny (the uncle who made it) only used six or eight drops because any more wasn't necessary. Also upon looking at the dowser part that I thought was regular steel. I noticed I was wrong. It is definately stainless. Looks like the threads are machined and polished. I imagine to prevent galling (seizing)of the stainless steel.

Also, I imagine any stainless chain will work. Do not know why stainless but all the kinfolk swear by it. Some say Stainless Steel and some say Sterling Silver.. Stainless is cheaper I believe. Guess it depends on supply at hand.

We are just getting over the flu here so after we get back to moving around more, I will scan in the pendulum and chain.

James

[aarthrj3811]

Thanks Toadie...I have heard that new thermometers no longer contain Mercury. People are getting it at Motorcycle Shops. When they stopped selling it here I went to Nevada and bought 20 lbs. This will give me something to do until the weather gets better..Art

[thunter]

Toadie
I build the Swinging dowser but I have a few questions
Which is the length of the chain?
Which is the distance between the floor and the swinging dowser ?
The tripod should be made of wood or a regular photograph tripod could be used .
It is possible to see your old photo of the original equipment , the one that you sent to pappy one year ago.
Is there any particular preparation prior the use of the swinging dowser ,like put close to a gold coin or something else .
Thanks for the help .

Best regards

[aarthrj3811]

Hey Toadie....Gave it try last weekend. Worked like a poor mans Long Range Locator. Amazing how simple things will work. I may never use it again but it was fun and added to my knowledge. Thank you..Art

[Toadie]

I apologize for the delay. I will contact my uncle in Mena Arkansas who now has the dowser. If I recall correctly, the chain was 32" long. I will call him and find out exactly. We used to set it up at home before the hunt then hold a small gold nugget to the left and to the right to see how the dowser reacted. Then we would take it back down, load it up and head out to the area we were looking in. I have found that it reacts better with 5 to 6 eyedropper drops of Mercury.

I will also get pictures of the unit in use and show you how we triangulate the readings. It takes a little getting used to but my Aunt and my mother were able to pinpoint within 2" with it.

I do know the platform it worked was a photograph tripod and was 4 and 1/2 feet from tip of legs to top. That was the overall length of the legs, the legs being made flush with the top. My Dad said to let you know to test it at home and "fine tune" it with more or less Mercury. Start with one drop and test, add one, test, ect until you get the "best swing" from the dowser towards your gold coin, nugget ring or whatever you have.

(By the way, it also works on Silver, it is just I don't remember how many drops we always used.)

[Toadie]

Talked to three different elderly relatives. All agree on the following.

"Use a three foot tripod, a brass chain about 16", bottom of dowser should be off ground six inches. Should have about three inches of chain going past the top of platform. In a sitting position platform should almost be shoulder level."

Now here's the kicker.

"You got to sit down and hold the short length of chain and be still."

It was brought to my attetion by my Uncle that my dowser was indeed the one my Great Uncle made, but, the chain had been changed and the tripod had been changed. That the chain was supposed to extend above the platfrom with enough loose to grab hold of. THe other version was used to locate "veins" (??) Maybe gold or silver mining?

When I asked where was Uncle Johnny looking, I was told,

"Get the doswer and head over by Harrell's Chappel, Texas."

I think it is known as Chappel now, over in San Saba County.

"This was where he was always heading off too."

So if the old timers are correct, this may well be where I am heading!!

[CaptJohn]

I can't get the info of the instruction for the tri-pod dowser to display , can you send them to me? or re-post?