Refitting for Mining

MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
I'm thinking of having a go at mining but I don't really want to buy a new ship for it because I'm slowly saving up for a Python.

So the option is to refit a ship I already have.

I'm thinking that cargo space and enough internals for the refinery and limpet modules are the main factors so excluding my smaller ships, I guess it's a choice from:

- Asp Explorer
- FDS
- Type-6

Any thoughts on fitting one of these out for some gold-digging?
 

CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned

CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned
The Asp is good, I've not tried the FDS but it should be good. The type 6 small hardpoints are an issue though.

I go for 2 or 3 collectors per medium mining laser depending on space. Only get a 1A prospector. Something like this for the Asp

JpsLUEA.png


With 2 medium lasers.

EDIT - actually looking at the FDS that's even better as Corlas says. Really must try one of them. Lasers to spare.
 
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MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
I was leaning towards the FDS because of the extra hardpoints and it's my 'local area' utility ship whereas the Asp is kitted out for long-range hauling and planetary exploration.
 

Nerwan

Nerwan
Whichever you choose, just remember, the biggest mistake people make with mining loadouts is having too much cargo space and not enough collector limpets... I use 13 collectors on my Conda and it's fantastic. I'd have thought on an Asp/Dropship you'd be looking at at least 6..

I'd have thought the Dropship might be the best miner (size 6 distributor vs 4) if jump range isn't a consideration. But if you need to go a distance for a decent metalic pristine then the Asp may be a better choice.

This is a pretty decent dropship build:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_d...45C0C0P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==?bn=Mining Dropship
 
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MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
Nerwan said:
Whichever you choose, just remember, the biggest mistake people make with mining loadouts is having too much cargo space and not enough collector limpets... I use 13 collectors on my Conda and it's fantastic. I'd have thought on an Asp/Dropship you'd be looking at at least 6..

I'd have thought the Dropship might be the best miner (size 6 distributor vs 4) if jump range isn't a consideration. But if you need to go a distance for a decent metalic pristine then the Asp may be a better choice.

This is a pretty decent dropship build:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_d...45C0C0P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==?bn=Mining Dropship
Click to expand...

Thanks, pretty sure I can tweak that for my needs
- it bugs me to use a class 4 in a class 5 slot so I think I'd swap the Refinery and Shields around if power allows.
- a bigger shield means I can keep the KWS and Chaff instead of boosters.
In my eyes, no fuel scoop means 'local' so I won't be going too far but there are always unpopulated systems close by to look around. I'll get the DBX out and scout around my current operational area.
 

Nerwan

Nerwan
MadDogMurdock said:
Thanks, pretty sure I can tweak that for my needs
- it bugs me to use a class 4 in a class 5 slot so I think I'd swap the Refinery and Shields around if power allows.
- a bigger shield means I can keep the KWS and Chaff instead of boosters.
In my eyes, no fuel scoop means 'local' so I won't be going too far but there are always unpopulated systems close by to look around. I'll get the DBX out and scout around my current operational area.
Click to expand...

Yep, good shout with the shields. You might want to consider using this to find a good pristine/meticallic ring near you:

http://edtools.ddns.net/index.php

Personally I go for the ones with RES sights because it makes mining more interesting. They offer a bonus on fragments per asteroid which is quite considerable but obviously more risk. If you do it, stay between 15 - 20 km from the center of the res. That keeps you away from a lot of the trouble but keeps the bonus.
 
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CMDR Corlas

CMDR Corlas
This was my mining Dropship; the Hephaestus

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_d...r27270303040005044d20C7C7P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==

Good cargo space, and enough weapons to defend your haul. Mount the point defense on the underside to keep away hatch breaker limpets, since your shields are small.

I find that with 3 drones per medium mining laser, I'm still waiting around for them to finish up before I move on to the next rock, so I wouldn't even bother going with two mining lasers. Putting a single in the large slot is better for damage too, as two mediums lasers will push out more hurt than a single large. If cost is an issue, you could strip it down even more into a lighter build that is as good as mining and nearly as good fighting:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/federal_d...h27270303040005044d20C7C7P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==
 

MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
Ok, so I had my first run out to a Major Reserves Metallic and I kind of get it.

I'm not entirely sure what the deal with the limpets is though.

I'm assuming there's no way to recover the prospector and the collectors just keep going until they expire?
Is the number of active collectors based on how many Controllers you have and their class/rating?
 

CMDR Corlas

CMDR Corlas
Yeah, you can only have as many collectors out as your controllers allow. Make sure not to have anything targets when you deploy collectors, or they will only get that one thing and then die. With nothing targeted, they will collect whatever is around you for their full duration.

It'll vary somewhat depending on how quickly you cut rocks and move on, but an average rule of thumb is to fill your cargo hold with 1/2 to 2/3 full of limpets when heading out. Fine tune it a little, but you should ideally run out of limpets as soon as your hold tops off with ore.

If you want a good mining spot, try Cernan Dock in GCRV 1568. The station is ~9 ls away from a pristine metallic ring, it's one of my favorite locations.
 

MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
Managed half a million on two 64t loads without being too discriminating about what I took.

Major difference between metallic and metal rich.
Seems like I don't know the local area as well as I thought.
Now I've got the hang of it I'll have a real scout around with the DBX and see if there are some nice pristines around.

Is Painite only found at the metallics?
 

CMDR Corlas

CMDR Corlas
Yep, as far as I know, Painite, Palladium, and Platinum are metallic-only.

That's why you'll see most mining builds with a 4B refinery: Most miners only go to metallic rings, and metallic rings only produce 9 different materials, so the extra slot in a 4A is wasted.
 

Nerwan

Nerwan
Grumpy181155 said:
Shields and weapons are always a personal choice and personally I wouldn't leave home without both. :)
Click to expand...

Yes, it also depends where you want to mine.. Some of the RES sites are really good for painite and with the res bonus you can make a lot even with just 64k cargo.. However, shields and weapons are essential for RES mining.. It's definitely more invigorating. Sometimes at a RES site you can get 15-20 tonnes from a single asteroid so it's not quite as critical to have to work in bulk.
 
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Limoncello Lizard

Limoncello Lizard
CMDR Corlas said:
Yep, as far as I know, Painite, Palladium, and Platinum are metallic-only.

That's why you'll see most mining builds with a 4B refinery: Most miners only go to metallic rings, and metallic rings only produce 9 different materials, so the extra slot in a 4A is wasted.
Click to expand...
It's not wasted, since you can always fill up the refinery to 100% as well as the cargo bay. But the cost for the extra ton is a little high.

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Grumpy181155 said:
Shields and weapons are always a personal choice and personally I wouldn't leave home without both. :)
Click to expand...
Shields on a Dropship are never that great to start with. Any combat I got into, the shields dropped so quick that I stopped bothering with them.
 

Grumpy181155

Grumpy181155
Limoncello Lizard said:
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Shields on a Dropship are never that great to start with. Any combat I got into, the shields dropped so quick that I stopped bothering with them.
Click to expand...

And that is fair enough too. I've never flown an FDS so I can't comment on that but we have all seen threads, usually by traders, complaining about getting killed and they don't have a shield because they are trying to maximise the profits. I've been guilty of flying without a shield myself but after a couple of close calls I decided that I would never fly without one again. Now I just vary the shield depending on what I'm doing at the time.
 

Limoncello Lizard

Limoncello Lizard
With military armour, a Dropship is far from vulnerable. Not having to power shields, or put pips into systems are both very good benefits too.
But it does cost a little for repairs on occasion.
There aren't many ships that I dare fly without shields: Dropship, FAS, DB Explorer and occasionally a Cobra
 

MadDogMurdock

MadDogMurdock
I'll probably look at the armour option - I think the risk is more than offset by having another 64t cargo.
Not sure what I'll do with the 2 external slots though - maybe point defence if missiles are supposed to be a thing in 2.1.
The interdictions so far haven't been too challenging - but I'll probably see how that goes without shields before I move to RES site mining.
 
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