puffer drywasher motor?????

boogeyman

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Jun 6, 2006
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I used a motor from one of those 12V tire air compressors worked OK, just a little fast. Didn't want to bother re-doing it after I got a good deal on a gold duster. If you don't have any, I think I've still got the plans I used.
 

OP
OP
D

drywasher

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Feb 1, 2007
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thanks for the info, i've got mine built ...
the motor should be geared to about 20 rpm , right???
 

boogeyman

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I think that's good. I only used mine a few times before I got rid of it. I just tried the pulleys I had in my junk bin until I found where the dirt looked like it was hopping down the tray the same as what an old timer showed me.
 

Desertdigger

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I build "Puffers" (see pics) get motors from www.surpluscenter.com catalog #10-1564 12 volt $6.99, get a
1"x5/16" pulley for the motor end and a 12" "Swamp Cooler" pulley for the crank shaft end. this will give you the proper puffing speed. do not tighten belt too tight, adjust the belt with an amp meter to load motor to about
1.4 amps or less. The belt should be the most flexable one you can find. If Surplus Center does not have what you need to build a machine then you probably don't need it! They have a free 171 page catalog and one on the web site too.
 

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Gelmac

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Apr 30, 2012
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Hey Desertdigger,

Are you still building these Nice little Drywashers ? I know the thread is an old one , may be that is why I didn't find the mentioned motor on the Surplus website. Can any one help with the "suitable" motor for this type of Drywasher?
 

Jan 31, 2013
135
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Yuma, Az
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Good day,

Some of my customers have used these new wiper motors for their home built puffers. These motors are used for Halloween props, etc. The price is good for a new motor, but I've never used them so I can't say on durability. But here is a link to a source of cheap new motors,

Electric Motors for Props - 12VDC Wiper Motor - Halloween Prop Building Supplies For The Home Haunter - Monster Guts - Wiper Motors for Haunting Needs

I hope this helps you folks out and the good thing is this company always stocks them, they are 2 speed and no junkyard picking!

Have a great weekend everyone,
Chris
 

mick1000

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Mar 9, 2015
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Gday Can u get all the parts you need to set up drywasher from this catalogue ie motor pulleys crank etc does anyond no part number any advice would be much appriciated
 

1637

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what bollows speed (rpm) are we looking for??
thanks brad
 

Clay Diggins

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Bosch/BMW wiper motor with gear reduction from a late 80's/early 90's BMW*. Much better battery time, boatloads of torque for a wiper motor and they last forever. Never found anything better.

I have a friend who did extensive side by side tests in a controlled set of experiments and he independently came to the same conclusion.

Hit the junk yard and you can get one cheap. New they run about $100.

Heavy Pans

*OEM Part Number: 0390241100 Fits:
1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 BMW M3 2DR E30 BMW 325ix 4DR E30 BMW 325ix 2DR E30 BMW 325i CONV E30 BMW 325i 4DR E30 BMW 325i 2DR E30 BMW 325e 4DR E30 BMW 325e 2DR E30 BMW 325 4DR E30 BMW 325 2DR E30 BMW 318i CONV E30 BMW 318i 4DR E30 BMW 318i 2DR E30 BMW Euro 323i 2DR E30 BMW Euro 323i 4DR E30
 

Goldwasher

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Bosch/BMW wiper motor with gear reduction from a late 80's/early 90's BMW*. Much better battery time, boatloads of torque for a wiper motor and they last forever. Never found anything better.

I have a friend who did extensive side by side tests in a controlled set of experiments and he independently came to the same conclusion.

Hit the junk yard and you can get one cheap. New they run about $100.

Heavy Pans

*OEM Part Number: 0390241100 Fits:
1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 BMW M3 2DR E30 BMW 325ix 4DR E30 BMW 325ix 2DR E30 BMW 325i CONV E30 BMW 325i 4DR E30 BMW 325i 2DR E30 BMW 325e 4DR E30 BMW 325e 2DR E30 BMW 325 4DR E30 BMW 325 2DR E30 BMW 318i CONV E30 BMW 318i 4DR E30 BMW 318i 2DR E30 BMW Euro 323i 2DR E30 BMW Euro 323i 4DR E30

Yea I figured I was gonna have to do that and a simpler control.

My brother is a mechanic in SoCal... I won't be paying $100 bucks thats for sure.
 

Bodfish Mike

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Dec 12, 2014
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I'm building another drywasher (hand lever powered) and was thinking about incorporating a 12 or 18 v sawzall to power it.
I would mount it (removable) a few inches past the fulcrum point on the lever to get the 6" of bellows movement I want.
I think it should have enough torque to do this but not sure how long it would last.
Anyone try this
 

1637

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May 26, 2011
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thats a cool idea,it mite hard to control the speed,maybe you can use a small ubolt and just tighten the nuts to hold the speed.
good luck brad
 

gold tramp

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Dec 30, 2012
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I'm building another drywasher (hand lever powered) and was thinking about incorporating a 12 or 18 v sawzall to power it.
I would mount it (removable) a few inches past the fulcrum point on the lever to get the 6" of bellows movement I want.
I think it should have enough torque to do this but not sure how long it would last.
Anyone try this

Dont do it, too few of us puffer guys left that arent affraid of a little manual labor.
Besides you know its not going to get you any more yellow than you allready are gettin.
I like your little set up...

20191119_141620~2.jpg
Heres my machine,
have to tell ya starts first crank everytime no matter how long it sets around gathering dust
Gt....
 

Bodfish Mike

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"have to tell ya starts first crank every time no matter how long it sets around gathering dust"

Yep GT -- I like no gas motor or battery.
 

Goldwasher

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Dont do it, too few of us puffer guys left that arent affraid of a little manual labor.
Besides you know its not going to get you any more yellow than you allready are gettin.
I like your little set up...

View attachment 1774515
Heres my machine,
have to tell ya starts first crank everytime no matter how long it sets around gathering dust
Gt....

I would like to see the math on how processing more material in a day. Won't get more gold.

Having a washer running on it's own be it spinning a fan or puffing a bellows allows you to dig prep and feed much more material in the same amount of time.

It has nothing to do with lack of manual labor. Its the ability to apply labor in more efficient ways.

Can't dig or feed all that fast while your stuck there cranking away.

Can't sell gold thats in the ground still. I'll deal with motor issues. I'll run my puffer by hand when the ground is worth it. For the sake of old timey nostalgia...no thanks.
 

Bodfish Mike

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Dec 12, 2014
503
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Bodfish and Marin county CA
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keene puffer drywasher , Keene A51 Sluice
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I would like to see the math on how processing more material in a day. Won't get more gold.

Having a washer running on it's own be it spinning a fan or puffing a bellows allows you to dig prep and feed much more material in the same amount of time.

It has nothing to do with lack of manual labor. Its the ability to apply labor in more efficient ways.

Can't dig or feed all that fast while your stuck there cranking away.

Can't sell gold thats in the ground still. I'll deal with motor issues. I'll run my puffer by hand when the ground is worth it. For the sake of old timey nostalgia...no thanks.

I think it depends on the spot your working - I can sling mine over my shoulder and hike in -- would be a lot harder with gas motor or heavy battery.
I also have a 12v Keene and love it when working close to a road.
I agree a motor = more gold.
Cheers Mike
 

gold tramp

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I think it depends on the spot your working - I can sling mine over my shoulder and hike in -- would be a lot harder with gas motor or heavy battery.
I also have a 12v Keene and love it when working close to a road.
I agree a motor = more gold.
Cheers Mike
Not to mention losing a part !!!!!
Do the birds stare at you funny like when your crankin your machine.
Down here i get a crowd of them watchin me i wonder what they are thinkin.
Just funny drywasher thing.
Gt.
 

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