Is drywashing the next logical step for me?

[idowa]

I bought a Tesoro Lobo SuperTraq a year ago to hunt for gold and meteorites... Never found anything and discovered panning and found gold. Gold fever then kicked in and I bought a Keene A51 sluice and have done OK with it, when I can find enough water in a gold-bearing creek to run it. Lately, I've just been going across town to Lynx creek and panning to get my gold fix. I find maybe $10 worth a trip.

I live in central Arizona and there are dozens of good gold areas within a hour's drive of me. I have a 4wd and an ATV and can get into very remote areas with a small amount of equipment.

It's the lack of water that is restricting me. I can build a recirculating sluice to process gold in remote areas, but it seems that drywashers are more efficient and effective for my area.

I was considering selling my MD and buying a drywasher...

What are the pros and cons of drywashers?

Can I get a decent drywasher and be ready to use it for the price of what my MD is worth?

 

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[Alex Burke]

I have a recirculating sluice but if I were in the desert I'd go drywasher because the water does need to be changed when running fine material occasionally and could be a problem for you. It's great for testing but running lots of material I would want water nearby. Having said that the retention of the recirculating sluice is better so it comes down to water issue.

 

[idowa]

Looking online, it seems a good quality dry washer runs about $500, but then you have to buy a gas blower and tubing, which seems around another $200... If I could sell my MD for $500, then I would still need to invest another $200 to make the dry washer functional... I haven't found $200 worth of gold yet... Then there is the matter of finding a place to run it.

Joining a club and using one of their sites would be easiest...

 

[Aurabbit79er]

Looking online, it seems a good quality dry washer runs about $500, but then you have to buy a gas blower and tubing, which seems around another $200... If I could sell my MD for $500, then I would still need to invest another $200 to make the dry washer functional... I haven't found $200 worth of gold yet... Then there is the matter of finding a place to run it.

Joining a club and using one of their sites would be easiest...

That's what I did. The best choice I've made in many years of mining.
10 different club claims to go to anytime.
A regular club sponsored outing at the end of every month.
Good people too.

 

[Terry Soloman]

Check out my buddy Bret Chilcott at AZ Desert Gold Tell him I said to call, and he will fill you in on what you need to know about drywashing in AZ.

 

[AzViper]

Looking online, it seems a good quality dry washer runs about $500, but then you have to buy a gas blower and tubing, which seems around another $200... If I could sell my MD for $500, then I would still need to invest another $200 to make the dry washer functional... I haven't found $200 worth of gold yet... Then there is the matter of finding a place to run it.

Joining a club and using one of their sites would be easiest...

Do your homework on purchasing a Drywasher as they are not equal. Check out my link in my signature. This company makes some of the finest Drywashers made and the they are priced right and the quality is second to none. Also check the drywasher threads, Drywashers

Join a local club would be your best bet and ask the members the pros and cons for your area. I have been vacuuming with my custom made vac and doing very well in finding gold in a new area I found of which is a dry wash. In all I recovered 119 pieces of gold in one week.

 

[kazcoro]

Looking online, it seems a good quality dry washer runs about $500, but then you have to buy a gas blower and tubing, which seems around another $200... If I could sell my MD for $500, then I would still need to invest another $200 to make the dry washer functional... I haven't found $200 worth of gold yet... Then there is the matter of finding a place to run it.

Joining a club and using one of their sites would be easiest...

That would be your ticket right there. Road runner has a bunch of claims in your neighborhood that hav running water for you to use. PM me and I'll explain a special deal on membership if you are interested....

 

[kazcoro]

Check out my buddy Bret Chilcott at AZ Desert Gold Tell him I said to call, and he will fill you in on what you need to know about drywashing in AZ.

Do your homework on purchasing a Drywasher as they are not equal. Check out my link in my signature. This company makes some of the finest Drywashers made and the they are priced right and the quality is second to none. Also check the drywasher threads, Drywashers

Join a local club would be your best bet and ask the members the pros and cons for your area. I have been vacuuming with my custom made vac and doing very well in finding gold in a new area I found of which is a dry wash. In all I recovered 119 pieces of gold in one week.

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I don't know either of you two fine gentleman, and I would like to meet you both sometime in the future, so don't get offended at me, but why do you two follow each other around so? One says this drywasher, the other say that. It is getting very tiring. I honestly think you two should start your own thread, and get this continual arguement out of the way. Again, respect to BOTH of you. Sorry for the hijack Idowa, rant over.

 

[AzViper]

Idowa,

Sorry if I hyjack your thread it was not my intention. I only offered to you to do your homework as there are many DW on the market. Terry S. likes the DW that he uses at his camp and I suggested another brand. Kaz, I suppose its the nature of the beast. Personally I want those that are looking for a DW not to buy junk and there is lots of junk on the market and eBay. No I am not say that the DW Terry is pushing is junk. I am only suggesting to those that are buying a DW to have an open mind and research all DW and do a comparison of the componets used. There is a difference.

 

[roadrunner]

idowa,
Sending you a PM,look for it..

I just found a great little drywasher for $200. Looks just like a gold buddy, little smaller maybe, but all aluminum, and with out the name on the side, couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Hoser John]

You answered your own question-simply join a local yokel club-go to nuggetshooters.com an az forum with quite a few local REAL NON PROFIT CLUBS and meet/greet some really righteous crazy goldnutz with more experience in your area than you'd believe. You just gotta quit throwing cash at a problem that can be fixed with a little skill and knowledge and have a ball,profit too-john