Sears/Whites

[Cedars]

I just bought an old Sears/White's metal detector from an estate auction for $10.00. It has ALL the paper work, manual and even the receipt. It was $289.00 new. I dont think it has ever been used. It is PRISTINE! Not one mark or scratch. It has no batteries in it but has the plastic holders for a number of AA size batteries. Are there any rechargeable batteries for this unit? Is it a good older detector? What is a good headphone for this unit?
Any advice or help getting started with this machine will be appreciated.

Cedars

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

You might be able to go to Google and enter the Sears model number and see if you can determine what Whites model is like it. I would also buy some batteries and see if it works before you do much of anything with it. If it works and you can find out what model Whites metal detector would be, then try to locate a manual or maybe a member of a local club to assist you in learning how to operate it. In regards to headphones, always buy the best that you can afford. Your batteries will last longer when using headphones. If it works, you should be able to find some coins and rings at a local park or school yard. While the depth of detection will not be as deep as later technology metal detectors, please be reminded that many old coins are found at a depth of six inches or less. If you discover that you like to metal detect, you can later move up to a more modern metal detector with newer technology. I wish you the best. Kelley (Texas)

 

[Larry (IL)]

The manuals are on the White's site:

http://whiteselectronics.com/info/manuals.html

Although the unit might be functional, it might be a better collectible than a treasure finder. The Sears units I'm familiar with are from the 70's to early 80's.

 

[Cedars]

Yes, the original Sears receipt is from 1979. It has everything it originally came with except the box. I wish I could find a hard case for it.
What are they worth as collectibles?

 

[Larry (IL)]

The value is dependent on the model # and how many of them were made and finding the right collector. Certainly more than you paid for it...... A good start might be Ebay in the completed section.

 

[Old Katz]

Wish you had taken a picture and posted it. Would like to see what
it looks like. Sounds old.
Katz

 

[dirtdigginlady]

You never have told us the model. What does the detector say other than Whites?

 

[Cedars]

ok...its Sears
Metal Detector
G.E.B./TR-Discriminator
Model # 321.59634
The case is bare clad aluminum, not the normal White's blue of years back. It has a white 8 inch waterproof coil.
Ill take a couple pix of it in a few days and post them here as soon as my camera gets back. Its on loan to a family member

 

[Cedars]

Went for a bike ride today to Mt. St. Helens. Wonder if there is any gold back there after the eruption! The Feds wont let us go back to most of the area. 2-3 times a week black hawks with forward looking infrared
comb the area. They have been doing it for years. Just counting all the elk?

 

[Old Katz]

Sounds like Whites at one time had a contract with Sears to sell their machines.
Katz

 

[Carl-NC]

Cedars,

I collect vintage detectors (and work for White's) and am looking for a nice example of a White's/Sears if you are interested in selling.

Regards,
Carl

 

[Cedars]

You are the man that would know the value of a mint older unit I would think. The problem is, I bought it to actually use. A friend, years ago in Alaska had one and I know its a no frills work horse by the standards of what is out there today. Also Im a northwest boy and like to support northwest company's. Sweet Home aint a long way from Klamath Falls where I lived a while back. I would have to replace it and I don't have a clue how I can do so without spending a ton of $. Im also very privet and don't do business in an open forum..so that makes it harder to be able to deal in any manner. Any suggestions?
Also I miss stated about the case. I meant to say it LOOKS like bare aluminum...It is the same break formed steel as any other White's detector..just painted silver. The lettering is crisp and scratch free.
Also the plastic decal on the coil is mint and not peeling. It is basically an "as new unit" I was just shocked one that old can be that new, without it being in a hard case.
Cedars
.

 

[Carl-NC]

I think this was the equivalent of a Coinmaster 5000, which had ground-canceled all-metal mode and regular TR-disc mode. It did not have a ground-cancel disc mode, which all modern VLF detectors have. Don't know what you are wanting to hunt, but even an intro-level model will out-perform it. But at $10, you got a bargain... they typically fetch $50-100 on eBay. I tried to PM you but couldn't. Feel free to email me if you want to sell.

Regards,
Carl

 

[GaryF]

HAHA

That was the first detector I had...got it at a pawn shop for $35.

Took it to a sand volleyball court and found a mans anniversary band with 7 diamonds and a mans white gold wedding band.

Those were the days.

Fun machine but hard on the wrist.

Nice find.

 

[turboman]

Carl,not trying to jump this post but I have a sears # 321.596351 that I found in a van I scraped out, and it seems to work good,I might be interested in getting rid of it, I just ordered a new battery holder for it from sears[they still have some parts available !!!!] and as soon as it gets here I will fire it up again and check it out . I will email you via this post when I get everything going. Everett Wesley

 

[turboman]

Carl just got home and looked at my sears detector and it's a model # 321.596340, instead of 321.596351, I ordered a battery holder today because the old one broke apart while in the detector [with no batteries in it too], I tried to plastic weld it and it seems to be OK,but when I found the parts from sears,I went ahead and ordered it. When it comes in ,I will put it together and try it out ,as I just got a manual today and will try to use it to tune the detector in. If you might be interested in this detector let me know,Thanks a lot for all the info,this site is GREAT !!!!

 

[widebody]

[size=large]Cedars, the gov't just recently let out permits for some large mining co. just on the north-east side of st. helens. still won't let the little guy in.
hope they get a good count of them elk herds.gold prospectors associations have some claims around sunset state park. but thats on the south side of the mt. say, didn't the main blast go out the n.e. side of the mt.? hope they got some good whites detectors so as to find them nuggets.

HH[/size]

 

[The Ol' Prospector]

Here is about the finest example of an older Sears/Whites machine you'll see. It is un-used except to try it out for a couple of minutes just to make sure it worked. Does anyone know which model White's this is equivalent to? Thanks.

 

[Cedars]

I have the exact same Sears Whites. It too is unused pristine condition.
There are three differences. Your model number reads "321.596170" mine reads "321.59634". I guess due to production run?
The front panel is identical other than mine does not show the two rows of patent numbers.
The decal on the coil is different as well.
Mine was most likely used one time then stored in a closet (with no batteries) hanging from a cotton cord with a cotton pillow case covering the unit.
It also has the original bill of sale from Sears, the manual and even the metal bottle cap that came with it to practice with.
It fires up well and the speaker beeps when sweeping over a metal object. The disappointing part is three of the control nobs are frozen from non use.
Evidently that is not all that uncommon with vintage unused units. I opened the case and the interior looks like it just came off the production line. Not one
speck of hazing or corrosion anywhere. Im a bit savvy with CB radios from a few years back and even did several of my own mods on a few units.
Im going to leave this unit to someone that knows a bit more than me because it is so clean/new.
Its for sale to someone that knows what it is...for a reasonable price plus shipping.

 

[john4840]

Here is about the finest example of an older Sears/Whites machine you'll see. It is un-used except to try it out for a couple of minutes just to make sure it worked. Does anyone know which model White's this is equivalent to? Thanks.

Hello Ol' Prospector. This would be the equivalent to the Whites Coinmaster 6000 Di Series 2. It is a good machine.

John