Hand Dredge Build

[H&F909ORO]

Hi All,

Just wanted to share my completed hand dredge. Can't wait to test it out! I have a creek that's nearby, but can't go right now because here in North Cali we are being rained out. I heard the thunder as well, something we all love to here when a storm is present during a drought.

 

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[Lotus Geologist]

Looks good... Is that designed to pump up one or two pints of material then discharge into a bucket? Does it need to be disassembled to clean out, or

L.G.

 

[golden sluice]

This looks field ready, I know it will do its job well... good luck finding gold. is that a swivel adapter, does it lock in to the main pump? Also, would a gasket or a bumper help save your hand from getting crushed or even cut when pushing out the Sediment. I think a hole cut through a tennis ball would be a great pump gasket in between the pump and the handle.

 

[H&F909ORO]

Looks good... Is that designed to pump up one or two pints of material then discharge into a bucket? Does it need to be disassembled to clean out, or L.G.

Well right now my learning with this hand dredge is going to be on experience. I have no idea how much material it can get yet, but the size is 2 inch so we will see how this works out. Pretty much all I should need to do is clean the tips then use a.hose to wash out any material out of the actual tube where the pump is. Now I must stress I could definetly run into problems with cleaning this, but all I need to do right now is wait to test it. I will post results of it hopefully tomorrow. We shall see when I would be able to go.

 

[Hangtowndiggins]

Neat build.. If you really can't wait to test it out a bucket or tub of water with some dirt and gravels at home if possible might give a ok idea. I built a couple with 3" chambers, they suck.

 

[H&F909ORO]

Neat build.. If you really can't wait to test it out a bucket or tub of water with some dirt and gravels at home if possible might give a ok idea. I built a couple with 3" chambers, they suck. <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=971144"/>

What's wrong with em? They look fine to me.

 

[Hangtowndiggins]

What's wrong with em? They look fine to me.

As in sucks water, sand, gravels, and gold lol

 

[H&F909ORO]

Oh lol hope you can find something that works for ya!

 

[Aufisher]

Neat build.. If you really can't wait to test it out a bucket or tub of water with some dirt and gravels at home if possible might give a ok idea. I built a couple with 3" chambers, they suck.
View attachment 971144

Your suckers rip!

 

[Bejay]

Everyone always thinks you need to suck up the material and have it "held" in the tube. WRONG! You want to suck it up and shoot it out immediately.Next thing IS! You can't do it into a 5 gal bucket! The lift factor is too high.....it will fall out before you get it up over the lip of the bucket. So this is why everyone thinks you have to keep it in the tube somehow.

The answer is to NOT have something like a BUCKET with high sides. A rectangle dish pan......bussers tub (used in restaurants).....meat lug....or even directly into a sluice works. Simply suck up material and immediately shoot it into your low sided container.....(6 inches is good). It takes a little practice but it is easily accomplished once you master the technique. You can move a lot of material if you want. And there is no need to neck it down....just use crevice tools to loosen anything compacted. It takes about 2 inches of water to work well....but I have done it in 1 inch as well.

So pull quickly and shoot out the material quickly.....keeping the "tub" right next to your spot you are sucking up!

The following is the one I use and I offer it as an example to show where the handles are placed so you can hold it and use it effectively. The way you hold it is CRITICAL to the effective performance.
http://shrimpguns.com/shrimp-guns/

Bejay

 

[H&F909ORO]

Everyone always thinks you need to suck up the material and have it "held" in the tube. WRONG! You want to suck it up and shoot it out immediately.Next thing IS! You can't do it into a 5 gal bucket! The lift factor is too high.....it will fall out before you get it up over the lip of the bucket. So this is why everyone thinks you have to keep it in the tube somehow. The answer is to NOT have something like a BUCKET with high sides. A rectangle dish pan......bussers tub (used in restaurants).....meat lug....or even directly into a sluice works. Simply suck up material and immediately shoot it into your low sided container.....(6 inches is good). It takes a little practice but it is easily accomplished once you master the technique. You can move a lot of material if you want. And there is no need to neck it down....just use crevice tools to loosen anything compacted. It takes about 2 inches of water to work well....but I have done it in 1 inch as well. So pull quickly and shoot out the material quickly.....keeping the "tub" right next to your spot you are sucking up! The following is the one I use and I offer it as an example to show where the handles are placed so you can hold it and use it effectively. The way you hold it is CRITICAL to the effective performance. http://shrimpguns.com/shrimp-guns/ Bejay

. Very interesting. I think I will go to to the store and pick one up. Not a bad idea.

 

[Bejay]

The length of the unit is a KEY factor. If it is too long you simply can not lift it effectively. When miners see me use mine they want one like mine. You can build one as well. The handles are grey PVC. Schedule ?. The inside "rubber" suction device is a simple rubber ball squeezed between two nuts/washers. They sell the ready done balls for just a couple dollars. I would have made my own except they sell so cheap it is not worth my effort to run around getting the parts. I have had my same tube for 30 sum years and have recently only had to change the rubber ball. I had my secretary go buy 18 of them to send down to Az a few years ago when we had a lot of rain: and water is the dry washes.....as all my mining friends wanted one.

One of the best tools I have for prospecting and at times I have gotten as much gold in a day with my suction shrimp gun as I do with my 4 inch dredge. Easy to pack in to remote locations....and I love the "silent" factor.


Bejay

 

[H&F909ORO]

The length of the unit is a KEY factor. If it is too long you simply can not lift it effectively. When miners see me use mine they want one like mine. You can build one as well. The handles are grey PVC. Schedule ?. The inside "rubber" suction device is a simple rubber ball squeezed between two nuts/washers. They sell the ready done balls for just a couple dollars. I would have made my own except they sell so cheap it is not worth my effort to run around getting the parts. I have had my same tube for 30 sum years and have recently only had to change the rubber ball. I had my secretary go buy 18 of them to send down to Az a few years ago when we had a lot of rain: and water is the dry washes.....as all my mining friends wanted one. One of the best tools I have for prospecting and at times I have gotten as much gold in a day with my suction shrimp gun as I do with my 4 inch dredge. Easy to pack in to remote locations....and I love the "silent" factor. Bejay

Wow, how much did you for your shrimp gun.

 

[usher21]

Neat build.. If you really can't wait to test it out a bucket or tub of water with some dirt and gravels at home if possible might give a ok idea. I built a couple with 3" chambers, they suck.
View attachment 971144

HeHeHe...I like the last two words.

 

[usher21]

Neat build.. If you really can't wait to test it out a bucket or tub of water with some dirt and gravels at home if possible might give a ok idea. I built a couple with 3" chambers, they suck.
View attachment 971144

HeHeHe...I like the last two words.

 

[Lanny in AB]

The length of the unit is a KEY factor. If it is too long you simply can not lift it effectively. When miners see me use mine they want one like mine. You can build one as well. The handles are grey PVC. Schedule ?. The inside "rubber" suction device is a simple rubber ball squeezed between two nuts/washers. They sell the ready done balls for just a couple dollars. I would have made my own except they sell so cheap it is not worth my effort to run around getting the parts. I have had my same tube for 30 sum years and have recently only had to change the rubber ball. I had my secretary go buy 18 of them to send down to Az a few years ago when we had a lot of rain: and water is the dry washes.....as all my mining friends wanted one.

One of the best tools I have for prospecting and at times I have gotten as much gold in a day with my suction shrimp gun as I do with my 4 inch dredge. Easy to pack in to remote locations....and I love the "silent" factor.


Bejay

Great tip Bejay!

Thanks for taking the time to post it.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html

 

[Lanny in AB]

Wow, how much did you for your shrimp gun.

$36.90 shipped.

All the best,

Lanny

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/metal-detecting-gold/69-bedrock-gold-mysteries.html