Sluice Flare Design

[seclymer]

Hello all,
I created a prototype out of steel sheet metal, but my final design will be aluminum. My idea was to make a flare with hinged walls so that you can control the amount of water going into the sluice by changing the angle of the flare walls. The foam underneath the walls allows for easy moving and prevents water leakage. The flare is 12 inches long with an opening of 18 inches that tapers down to 10 inches. Please give me feedback on this design. Would you be interested in a flare like this?

Many thanks,
Sam

 

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[motohed]

Not to knock your desigh , but I'm afraid you will be losing Gold from under the side walls being adjusted . You might be better off having to seperate sides with the flairs be prebent and figure out how the bottm of the sluice having a slide action across each other .

 

[seclymer]

There is actually no water leakage because the side walls are supported by foam underneath. Like a sweep on a door, the foam prevents water or air from leaking through. My testing of the design channels all the water through the flare without any water escaping.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Interesting idea and I can see where it could be handy. Around my area there's not much sluicing unless you're using a re-circ system so I guess offering to test it would be out?

 

[motohed]

I think you need to run it for a while , miners expect equipment to last forever . LOL So if the thing starts losing Gold fast they will not use it . We are a cheap bunch , that don't like to spend money on repairs . We expect to use the thing for a long time with little if any extra funding . JMHO

 

[seclymer]

thank you all for the feedback! i will update again when I have finished the sluice box and have tested the entire design. many thanks

 

[goldenIrishman]

One thing to keep in mind Moto is that it's a flare, NOT a sluice box. I doubt it would loose gold like you're thinking. The idea is sound and if the base plate and wings are made from metal thick enough not to have much flex to it it should last pretty well. An easy way to secure the wings into position is a must though.

 

[seclymer]

As you can see in the pictures, I have been securing the wings with paper clamps which seem to be doing the job quite well.

 

[goldenIrishman]

I don't know if you're planning on going into production with this but paper clamps are not going to instill a lot of confidence in customers. They're fine for testing and proving the concept but for a production item.....nope. I think it's a good idea and you should consider marketing them if you are able to but the paper clamps have got to go on the finished model.

 

[PurpleGold]

Having the clamps on the inside of the flare could cause some disruption in the water flow. I don't know if it would be a bad thing. My ocd likes to see the water flow in smoothly.