crevice suction tools

[stonecutter1]

I am interested in buying or making my own crevice hand suction tool. I would appreciate any advice I can get on some of your favorites. By the way, Floyd that pump you had made was very cool and looks like it works really good.

 

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[penster]

Just this weekend I tried the gold n sand hand dredge. The bedrock in one area was a foot or so underwater. It did a great job, but The temp dropped rapidly and I got too cold to even be in the water. So I did not try out the crevice suction tip, just one of the standard tips. Made the work I did get done go fast. Hope this helps. Maybe other have more input.

 

[roadtrip]

What a coincidence. I'm making one today. I went to Lowes on my lunch break and got a few parts. I already had some PVC pipe, cement, and some odds and ends at home. I watched a few 'how to' videos on YouTube. Going to change the plans slightly so I can use the PVC pipe I already have.

 

[TerryC]

Check out those that are for sale. Copy the size for yourself. Caution: bigger is not better here. A few extra pulls will do more than a large body will. TTC

 

[roadtrip]

This is what I just made. I used a threaded reducer at the end so I could make some different tips; angled one and kept the other flat. Already thinking about things I would change. Most of the plans online used 1 1/2" PVC. I had 2" at home, so I went with that. I spent $11 on parts, so I can't complain. Now I just need a field test.

 

[RifRaff]

This is what I just made. I used a threaded reducer at the end so I could make some different tips; angled one and kept the other flat. Already thinking about things I would change. Most of the plans online used 1 1/2" PVC. I had 2" at home, so I went with that. I spent $11 on parts, so I can't complain. Now I just need a field test.

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You will find out quickly that filling and emptying that "cup" that holds the pay dirt is very time consuming and frustrating.

I have a gold and sand. Sucks from bed rock through the pump and a hose to a small (2-3 gallon) bucket. Much easier and better time spent concentrating on one spot. Just remember to flush the tube well, it may hold gold.

 

[roadtrip]

You will find out quickly that filling and emptying that "cup" that holds the pay dirt is very time consuming and frustrating.

I have a gold and sand. Sucks from bed rock through the pump and a hose to a small (2-3 gallon) bucket. Much easier and better time spent concentrating on one spot. Just remember to flush the tube well, it may hold gold.

Eventually I'd like to get one of those X-Stream HYBRID Hand Dredges. It looks nice. I just don't have a spare $119 at the moment. Plus, I wanted to try something before the end of the season. It's already snowed here twice.

When I was checking plans online, the first did not have that 'Y' adapter and cup. It suggested to quickly pump back and then tip the dredge to prevent the pay dirt from falling out. Another one I saw had a string and rubber ball at the end. When you got to the full extent of pulling the handle back, the ball would plug the hole and prevent anything from falling out. Then I saw the one with the 'Y' attachment and the directions to empty the cup. I had extra 2" PVC and made a longer cup to bring, because it does look like a pain to repeatedly empty it out. The last video I watched was the same design, but the guy emptied it without removing the cup. He brought the hand dredge to a bucket with some water, turned it so the 'Y' was on top, and then pumped it out. Gravity caused the pay dirt to come out of the cup without removing the actual cup. Still, a lot of filling and emptying. Last time I was at the Wild AM in NH, I was reaching into 18" of water with a soup spoon. I hope this is a step up.

I also saw something at Home Depot. It looked like a hand dredge with a long hose. It was just a manual water pump, but was the same size as the hand dredge I just made. It was $24. It looked a little flimsy and had the hose connected at the top instead of the bottom. Thought about picking it up and making modifications, but went the cheaper $11 route.

 

[jcazgoldchaser]

Look in lowes near the sump pumps. ABS checkvalves about $8. 2 of those. The rest isn't too hard to figure out.

Some people use pool noodles for the suction. Others say they wear out too fast. Leather cups can be had at some ACE hardware stores or xstream sells those parts too
Gold Prospecting Equipment by Gold-N-Sand

 

[TAKODA]

I don't work the water much anymore , but I bought this one awhile back
and it works good for crack suck'n . I like the clear cup too . I think it was called
the desert dog . I think I paid about $ 30.00 for it 3 or 4 years ago but I
don't know if it's still available . I guess you could make one for about the same
price today . Anyhow .......... just contributing to the general info .

 

[Goodyguy]

Adding the second valve allows you to pump the material into a bucket or directly into a sluice.........
* Note the handle, so much easier on the hand and wrist than a tee.

 

[roadtrip]

I think I might have to spend $12 and add a couple check valves. Thanks!

 

[roadtrip]

Adding the second valve allows you to pump the material into a bucket or directly into a sluice.........
* Note the handle, so much easier on the hand and wrist than a tee.

Goodyguy, I like what you've done! I have some parts left and may make another. Do you use PVC cement on everything or leave some parts unglued? Just wondering what happens when it's time to replace parts (plunger or the check valves). Not sure if I should leave things without PVC cement, or try some threaded connection. thanks!

 

[stonecutter1]

Thanks everyone for all the input on this, I've been snowed under at work this week & have'nt had time to work on putting something together. I live in the K.C. area and a recent T-Net friend showed me a great area north of the city with lots of exposed bedrock to work around, of course here in Missouri the gold is very sparse and light, but good practice and lots of fun.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Don't get the cheap one at Home Depot, I did and the flow thru it is too limited (due to the valve design) so it is a LOT of work for a little material. The Gold N Sand is the best product for the money from what I have seen ...

 

[Goodyguy]

Goodyguy, I like what you've done! I have some parts left and may make another. Do you use PVC cement on everything or leave some parts unglued? Just wondering what happens when it's time to replace parts (plunger or the check valves). Not sure if I should leave things without PVC cement, or try some threaded connection. thanks!

You need to leave the top cap as just a friction fit so you can access the plunger. The fittings for the check valves need to be threaded, the nozzle connection may be slip or threaded for ease of changing nozzles.

I suggest you buy the valves from gold n sand as they are the best out there for the job.

GG~

 

[stonecutter1]

I just bought the gold n sand last weekend at the GPAA show in St. Joe,Mo. last weekend. I'm going to try to get out in the next week or two to try it out. GG, It looks very similar to the one you made. It should work great from all I've heard about it.

 

[Goodyguy]

I just bought the gold n sand last weekend at the GPAA show in St. Joe,Mo. last weekend. I'm going to try to get out in the next week or two to try it out. GG, It looks very similar to the one you made. It should work great from all I've heard about it.

You will love it!
It's the best store bought model ever made.

GG~

 

[SanFranDad]

What size hose do you use from Gold-N-Sand Hand Dredge to the Gold-N-Sand Boomer Box (width)? I am trying to decide which pump to buy and I would like to know the size of the hose to help determine the size of pump I will buy.

 

[Joel1316]

I got lucky over the weekend, found a brand new Hybrid Gold and Sand for $80.00. Works great in moving water from bucket to bucket, can't wait to try it in the river!

Just make sure to give those leather seals time to expand (in water) and create a strong seal. Off the bat, the suction isn't so great.

 

[KevinInColorado]

What I do to wet the seal is do a couple pulls of creek water thru the pump, set it down while i get my sluice set up in the creek...by the time I come back to my pump the leather is ready.