OK, HERE IS AN EASY ONE

[Thurman]

GENTLEMEN:

Finally got a start on my hand crank bellows drywasher. Thought I would start there and then go the 12V route. I am building a version based on
William Fletcher's (Bill's Folding Drywasher) 12 volt bellows design. It is an elegant design in many ways.

I am starting with the hopper which has an expanded metal grizzly. The drawings I have do not specify whether the expanded metal is the 3-dimensional kind used in sluices, or the flattened variety. Obviously the flattened variety would facilitate sliding the larger material off, but seems the 3-D stuff would help scour and beak up some of the gnarly stuff.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. I just can't walk down the street here in Florida and see many drywashers. Almost afraid to ask, but sure could use help in choosing the riffle tray material and it's underneath support as well. See some neat pictures of thin perforated metal under space age synthetic fabric. I would go that way if I knew the details. Otherwise it will be alum screen material under the material sold on-line to redo your Keene.

Best regards to all, Thurman






William Fletcher

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Bodfish Mike]

I got my hands on an ironing board from a yard sale and the expanded metal is flat but the size was good.
I also used bills plans as guide lines but improvise with what was laying around.

 

[Thurman]

Thanks Bodfish,

Getting lots of help from previous posts, now that I remember to do it. And I am thirsty.

 

[Hard Prospector]

Those old hand made wood and metal drywashers were functional works of art (kind of like hand carved/painted duck decoys), when not in use park it in the man cave.

 

[Hard Prospector]

Those old hand made wood and metal drywashers were functional works of art dripping in testosterone (kind of like hand carved/painted duck decoys) When not in use park it in the man cave.

 

[fowledup]

Here is a great website with lots drywashing info -

http://www.billandlindaprospecting.com/