Bazooka Prospector Deluxe

[Underburden]

I made this system before I received by Bazooka Prospector and when it arrived today, I had what you see in the pic installed within 15 minutes. Now, this is NOT a highbanker setup but an in-water sluice operation.

My mining partner (wife) and I will be shoveling into the sluice until we get all the overburden removed to within a few inches of the bedrock. Then we'll switch over to the 'Bottom Feeder' to get the gold rich bedrock material pumped directly to the sluice. The intake hose is reduced to 1¼" to avoid plug ups in the 1½" hose.

The joint between the 45 degree elbow and the 'Header Spreader' is unglued so that I can rotate the hose to whatever position I see fit. It's a tight dry fit and with very little pressure in the hose I don't see that joint blowing off.

Keep in mind that this is a two-person operation...one on the pump and the other on the hose end.
The sluice will take care of itself with an occasional inspection of the trap.
I'm sure a Gold & Sand hand dredge could do the same thing with only one person but we like to get up close and personal with the bedrock.
Bob

 

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[Goldwasher]

I likey

 

[Prospector70]

is that a smooth bore hose? neat design!

 

[Underburden]

Yes, smooth bore hose. Did a test run at home with <1" material and it worked like a charm.
Going to swap out the stand for one of eBuyc's Bazooka stands. They are lighter than mine and have a built-in hold down to keep the sluice in place. Wife and I decided to stop throwing overburden up on the bank this coming year in order to reach bedrock. May as well toss it in the sluice and let the sluice sort it out
We've been using hand dredges to clean bedrock but that's a suck-swing over the pan-dump...repeat type of deal. With my Bottom Feeder, she can spend her time on the hose while I pump directly into the sluice.
Should be a fun summer !
Bob

 

[silentrev]

Underburden how did u make the pump? I've looked everywhere and I can't seem to find any info on them. Thanks for any info and help.

 

[Underburden]

silentrev
There are hundreds of ways of making a hand pump found all over the internet. I use a plumber's rubber test plug for the piston. It's adjustable. I use clear Tru-Union swing check valves. Everything else is just plain old pvc fittings. If you're working alone, I'd suggest purchasing one of those Gold & Sand units.
Bob

 

[silentrev]

Thanks bob

 

[vaquero44]

nice set up!

 

[ebuyc]

silentrev
There are hundreds of ways of making a hand pump found all over the internet. I use a plumber's rubber test plug for the piston. It's adjustable. I use clear Tru-Union swing check valves. Everything else is just plain old pvc fittings. If you're working alone, I'd suggest purchasing one of those Gold & Sand units.
Bob

Bob the reason I changed to the clear PVC swing check valves is the Gold-n-Sand check valves jamb easily... FYI

 

[Underburden]

Underburden how did u make the pump? I've looked everywhere and I can't seem to find any info on them. Thanks for any info and help.

silentrev, you just have to visit my blog more often
Bottom Feeder Hand Pump

 

[Underburden]

Bob the reason I changed to the clear PVC swing check valves is the Gold-n-Sand check valves jamb easily... FYI

And a darn good recommendation you gave me !!!
Got my Add-A-Flare almost ready to mount to my Bazooka. Check your email...I need your feedback.
Bob

 

[Sideways Sherry]

And a darn good recommendation you gave me !!!
Got my Add-A-Flare almost ready to mount to my Bazooka. Check your email...I need your feedback.
Bob

Post the feedback or final design info here please I'm very interested in all to do with this design since I have a Sniper! ;-) Thank You!

 

[Sideways Sherry]

And a darn good recommendation you gave me !!!
Got my Add-A-Flare almost ready to mount to my Bazooka. Check your email...I need your feedback.
Bob

So what are the final design results? Any pics to post for us?

 

[Underburden]

Sideways Sherry
It's February and although it feels like spring I have no access to a gold bearing creek right now.
BUT, you will see results when the wife and I get on claim later in June/July.
Bob

 

[The Gilded Lens]

This is awesome! Love the design! It's a Vac-a-zook! You can even make nozzle attachments for different ends on the hose. Totally cool.

We used a test plug for our hand dredge as well.

 

[Sideways Sherry]

This is awesome! Love the design! It's a Vac-a-zook! You can even make nozzle attachments for different ends on the hose. Totally cool.

We used a test plug for our hand dredge as well.

I tried the test plug for my hand dredge but I'll tell ya leather cups are the way to go!!!

 

[EO1]

Where did you get the check valves and smooth hose ?