Wooden sluice

[James/Ouida]

If I was to make a sluice outta wood, should I polyurethane the wood, or leave it plain? I know you can make it outta wood, but I was thinking sealing it might keep it from being waterlogged after a time. I'm also getting together material for a metal one, using scrap aluminum to keep the cost down. When I make the riffles, what gage should the metal be? Would Z or G style flashing be to light, or would I just classify to smaller to make it work?

 

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[Astrobouncer]

Make a drop riffle sluice similar to here:

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?topic=323849.0

If you want it to last more then a couple weeks, seal the sides where the boards meet (I like liquid nail for that) and water proof it anyway you like (Thompsons, Polyurethane, Varnish etc). Otherwise it will bend and twist when it gets wet then dries out.

 

[Armchair prospector]

It will also get real heavy.

 

[tmodel]

i followed Astro's!! drop riffle sluice plan on that link and have no trouble catch all my #8 birdshot i use to test it, plan on builsing a new one to use in a gold creek this summer there is no gold here in my part of Tennessee. Terry

 

[James/Ouida]

I'll be building one myself - I'm sure most things astro builds with his experience works!

 

[Keppy]

It will also get real heavy.

That was my thought's also... A wood sluice has to be heavy..... And i don't need that.. For me the lighter the better..

 

[russau]

i understand wood getting heavy! then use some ABS plastic. thats what im doing.

 

[Gold Maven]

I've lined my wooden boxes with aluminum flashing.
To avoid holes under the water line, I just bend it to fit, and then take two strips of wood, and screw the top of the sides of the flashing to the sides of the box. Sandwich the aluminum between the strip and the side of the box. These strips, when placed right, can be used to hold your riffles down, with some wooden wedges.
Expanded metal works great for riffles, but wood works too. Good luck.

 

[calisdad]

I just made another one today. As Astrobouncer stated gold doesn't make it past the first riffle. I just glue the sides to the bottom, shoot it with some gun nails and spray it with high gloss Krylon black. Cheap, easy and effective.

(ok- tried to post a pic but no luck today)