16" TROMMEL BUILD INSPIRED BY AZVIPER

[Doitlaynstyle]

So I have started gathering supplies to begin my trommel build. I'll post a link to AZ's thread which is my inspiration for this build but I'm also planning a different style. I'll be using easily obtainable parts so that rebuilding in the event of failure is possible without fabricating new parts. I'm thinking that at eight foot long I'm going to just turn this thing into a small trailer or build it on a small trailer so that I can also haul the extra gear and make the weekend trips a little more do-able. I will be using one of the two roto-tillers for the gear reduction and I am contemplating using a tubed rubber tire as a drive wheel instead of running a full gear ring on the beast. I will probably still use roller blade wheels for the cylinder rotation but I am probably going to use four on bottom and four on top to lock the cylinder into place so the tire doesn't knock the cylinder up off the bearing wheels.

I'm also hoping that I can get my hands on a claim soon and I'll also be using my father's back-hoe to stockpile dirt, move tailing piles, and create a reclamation pond. Anyway this is the start of a long slow winter because money is tight. We just bought a new house and I'm scrimping more than usual. I'm hoping to build a new 12" sluice box but I might just have to extend my current 10" box. Like AZ I'm hoping to use gold hog mating but that's only if I can afford it. Most likely I'll run my rifles and miners moss first followed by another 3' of box with the gold hog mat I currently have. So enough of this for now. I'll add photos here and link AZ's thread.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/gold-prospecting/364420-12-inch-trommel-build.html

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A Handbook of Civil War Bullets and Cartridges - Grab it through Amazon!

[jcazgoldchaser]

The tiller made me think of my grandma's mower which had a trailer/seat. They make these powered trailer dolly's.



A balance/steer wheel and you could use the drive to pull the trailer.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[Justbent]

More done, spray bar holes drilled, all 321 of them. They are spaced 3 by side at 1/2 inch apart so if you are good at math you will know how many feet of coverage I have inside this bad boy. I also went shopping today and bought the jacks that will level and set the angle of the trommel.I bought new gear oil for the drive because it has a worm gear and I got a new belt for the drive. This thing just needs jacks mounted, and finally the sluice built. So close I can taste it. Oh wait that's Hefeweizen mmmmmm.. lol

That is a nice setup. I'm gettin inspired. I already have an old trailer. I see a trammel in my future.

 

[AzViper]

Looking at the output end is it clockwise rotation or anti?

Yep you want to give the rock a good chance to fall away and not get caught up in the spray bar. Having the bar offset is a huge plus.

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

The tiller made me think of my grandma's mower which had a trailer/seat. They make these powered trailer dolly's.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=974060"/>

A balance/steer wheel and you could use the drive to pull the trailer.

That is a pretty bright idea. It would not be hard to modify the drive into doing that at all. A couple quick release pins on the drive mount and decouple the front traction spring. Bolt on a 2“ trailer ball into the deck on the drive wheel side where the spring mounts. Bolt on a long T-handle into the old depth gauge location and done. It could maneuver itself into tight locations.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Fantastic looking build!

That's some sweet fabrication you've got there with some super-serious dedication of time to boot.

All the best,

Lanny

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

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

Fantastic looking build!

That's some sweet fabrication you've got there with some super-serious dedication of time to boot.

All the best,

Lanny

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

Thanks Lanny. I have definitely been at this for quite a while . I also need to sit down and tally up what this build has cost me because I'm curious. It seems like every time I go to the store it's $50-$200 dollars.

 

[kazcoro]

Money Tree? Pick'r Git'r? Nugget Rocket?

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

I've been thinking "Game Changer" or "Honey Hole" or "The Grinder".

Of all the names posted let's do votes on your favorites or top five in order.

Ready, Set, Go

 

[KevinInColorado]

Now I'm imagining a little sign over the hopper saying "The Honey Hole" since this tool will change any decent paydirt into a honey hole!

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

Check it out!

https://youtu.be/vmzVx2NFVfo

 

[KevinInColorado]

Totally impressed!

 

[AzViper]

The only thing I see missing is a chute on the discharge end of the trommel so the rock does not build up under the trailer.

 

[Lanny in AB]

Check it out!

https://youtu.be/vmzVx2NFVfo

Great youtube video! That's a quality rig you've put together there.

All the best,

Lanny

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

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

Keith that's in the works too. Along with the sluice. Almost there. We test ran it tonight and the video will be up shortly. There are a few things I've got to fix but I'm very happy with it. VERY HAPPY

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

Lanny, thank you. I'm very proud of her

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

So here it is. The first function test. Found out that I need to weld up about half or more of the spray bar holes so that the pressure gets increased and helps tear up the clots and clay. The gaps in the rings are too wide so I'll be making some spacers that go inside them and also will be angled to help push the material back up the hopper to increase their tumble time. The pressure will also increase in the hopper to help move the material into the cylinder quicker. We have plenty of water to run the sluice so that's not going to be an issue. As you can see in the video we were missing some of the water with my tore down high-banker and we still had plenty of water. We only brought the sluice with to see if there is any gold at the river down the street from my house and guess what... there is! Lol we ran eight buckets and got one little chunky piece and about ten little fly poops.

https://youtu.be/Aj7o4YCm4FE

 

[Campngolf]

Impressive indeed.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Looks great, nice test run. Those bits of gold could be washed downstream from your driveway over the years lol!

 

[jcazgoldchaser]

Check it out!

https://youtu.be/vmzVx2NFVfo

4" square tubing about 4-5" long. Weld one to either side of the trailer, move lights inside. Sorrta like this but useful



The Fore flush looks like it's pushing the pile into the trommel. Think about a aft shower with some squirts on the side


Get the back (trommel side) of the pile soaked, broke up, and flowing into the trommel instead of pushing the pile in mostly unwet. Plus, that pile actually stopped the flow at the start, then it surged so that's gotta suck downstream.




I also wouldn't spray so much at the screen. From the watching dry trommels, it looks like the fines are out in the first 1/3-1/4 of the screen. So hammer it again just before the screen and only some shower at the start to final rinse the rocks. If you have dirt stuck to the rocks {I'd guess} 1/2 down the screen, somethings wrong up front.

[edit]Sorry, thought I added this, it was late last night. Shows the dirt/dust dropping out quick.

 

[Doitlaynstyle]

Different words for what I already said but thanks for backing that up with links. Does show that my thinking is right. And I like the idea of covering the tail lights but they are only ten bucks at harbor freight and honestly in Idaho you don't even have to have lights on small trailers. If I can find some material I will cover them.