My trommel build ( NEW VIDEO )

[jog]

Have been working on this project for close to three weeks now. One of my claims has a lot of old dredge tailing's and I am going to use this for doing my testing.

 

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[GrayCloud]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

You may consider putting fat flotation type tire on. They will work better, when rolling over rough terrain.

 

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[sniffer]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

looks awesome to me. good job

 

[mr_larry]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

I have been following this thread for a while, and have meant to comment on it before.
First things first: This thing really looks like it will get the job done. Congratulations on building such a fine machine! Your craftsmanship is superb and you have obviously done your homework.

Trommels can really process a lot of material and at the end of the day, that is how you maximize your time in the field and get the best return. I'm thinking that for California, which has a ban on dredging, maybe a trommel such as yours might be the ticket.

I have a couple of questions for you:
* How much money in materials and engines (including the water pump) do you think you spent on the project?
* Could you please make a video showing this thing in operation? Start at the head end where you feed the material in, and work your way through the process, explaining everything along the way. I would love to watch that video as I'm sure many others would.

If you need an extra laborer, I might be able to get away from California for a week this summer!

Cheers!
ML

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

mr_larry
Thanks for the nice words.
I was just sitting here doing some figuring and I would say that I am in between the $1000.00 an $1500.00 dollar mark for total costs. The drive motor I have looked up and they sell them at Northern Tools for around $600.00. This unit I have I found used for $100.00. The pump is a 2" Trash pump and I picked it up for $350.00 with only one hour of use on it. I really like the the wet clutch and 2 to1 gear reduction, makes for stopping and starting a breeze.
I was thinking of doing a video and posting it here but have never done one and will have to do some research on how to do that.
I will be headed to the claim in the middle of next month and I will shoot a video there. One ounce will pretty much get my money back.
Maybe someone on here could talk me through the video thing.
I can always use help digging.

 

[russau]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

ive waited untill the end to give you my thumbs up sign of approval on your project!(not that you need my approval!) i particularly liked you chain adjustment,tow handel/adjustment and your eye for design/crasftsmenship!if i ever would want a trommel it would be like yours,but im alergic to shovels at my old age! great job and im sure your going todo very well with it on your claim!

 

[Gramps43]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

Jog where aboust in Tillamook do you hang your hat, I'm over by Shively's apartments in one of his first houses. That is one bad nasty trommel you have built, great workmanship. So far the only thing I've built are a couple pushme/pullyou suction units, one is a basic unit (2") I refer to as my Mini Hoovah and the other is a 3" with two valves and hoses for more serious suck'n.

Y'all take care,

Gramps

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

Gramps43
Sent you a PM.
russau
Thanks for the approval, you may not think I need it but I will take whatever I can get.

 

[rwells]

Re: My trommel build

Jog
I am into my trommel project now and it really helps to read this post and see how its done. You have commented on mine in the past and I appreciate it. I'm especially interested in your adjustments and tweaks that you felt necessary. Great job and let me know how it is working.

Rwells

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build

Jog
I am into my trommel project now and it really helps to read this post and see how its done. You have commented on mine in the past and I appreciate it. I'm especially interested in your adjustments and tweaks that you felt necessary. Great job and let me know how it is working.

Rwells

Sent PM

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Re: My trommel build

That is a sweet looking trommel! I would like to have one, but I don't think I can afford one right now! I can weld and fabricate I just don't have a welder or the steel

 

[TURNMASTER]

Re: My trommel build

That is a nice looking machine. Are you marketing them yet? Lots of money to be made selling quality tools.

Jeff

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build

Not making them yet, still working a few bugs out of this one. just had another person ask me that today. I am actually in southern Oregon testing it as I right this. I will have to change a couple things when I get home. Thanks for looking....

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build

Due to bad weather over eastern Oregon we where not able to make it to the claim. We went to southern Oregon instead and I did a little testing. I found an area with a real hard pack layer of flood material about 12" thick and only 6" of overburden. Very hard digging in among all the large rocks, moved about a half yard of material, maybe a yard and this is what I ended up with.

 

[GrayCloud]

Re: My trommel build

Not bad a tall.

 

[TheHarleyMan2]

Re: My trommel build

Hey Jog, I know it is hard work and frustrating at times, but even still you got you some fine looking gold!

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build

Made a change from the way I had the drain under the trommel screen. I had a three inch hole going straight down onto the sluice but I was having issues with the water not getting out fast enough and a lot of small rocks building up on the punch plate. Built a deeper V shaped trough down the middle of the hopper and also spun it 360 degrees so the drain is under the first half of the trommel screen and out to the side. I hope this will let the material out of the hopper faster and wash the material off the punch plate.

 

[Hefty1]

Re: My trommel build

Looks good
Let me know when you start building them for sale.

Hefty

 

[Gravel Hog]

Re: My trommel build

Yep, I'll even say it again. Jog, that was a darn good build.
I have an appreciation for skill and engineering like that. I'll always have a stool for ya in my shop, always welcome.

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build

Thanks guys...
I have finely come out of the bad back blues and am up and about and feeling almost human again.
We are headed over east at the end of next week and feel like I should be up to giving this project a real test. I am planning on changing the riffles out with some heavy expanded metal due to water supply issues in the sluice. Not something that I want to change at the moment.
I will show the results and try and shoot a video well over there.

 

[DigginThePast]

Re: My trommel build

Jog - I placed your video in your post and removed it from mine to avoid further confusion.