dirt sifting

[kayden]

Does this really work? Or am I wasting my time. I have about 50-60 early 1900 ghost town foundations to work on but the weeds/growth is 3 feet tall ( cant metal detect ) So my question is ..What is the proper way to sift or any other suggestions would be appreciated

thanks in advance!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It does work, but you have to go into it knowing you'll get a lot of rocks and trash, and it can be labor intensive. I built a 2 foot square frame out of 2x4, and used 1/2 inch hardware cloth for the screen. You'll need a way to support the weight, because it gets tiring after a while. If there are trees nearby you can drill a hole in each corner and run a piece of rope through the holes to make two triangles, then attach another rope to those and hang it from a branch. Another good method is to use the wheels and handle from a toy wagon, that way you can roll it to the site with your gear in it, and it makes shaking it easy too.

 

[Rockin Chairs Gold]

To give you some idea of what you are in for. Some years back my father-in-law and I was contacted to use our metal detectors in a house fire to help recover some coins and jewelry that was lost in the fire.

Immediately it was apparent the metal detectors would be useless because of all the metal trash in the fire. We decided to build two large sifters that took two people to operate. To make a long story short my wife and I sifted while my father-in-law shoveled debris into the sifter. We spent three weekends doing this and recovered hundreds of coins, many were silver, but we found no jewelery. We split what we found with the old man and he was happy with this arrangement, but would I do it again. NO WAY! To many hours and to much work for to little returns.

We were sifting ash's, you will be sifting packed dirt. Much more work.

If it was me I would bring in a weed eater so you can get closer to the ground, and work the foundations slowly with your metal detector. My father-in-law and I used to work old root sellers like that and had pretty good luck. Found a lot of trash but dug some good artifacts and coins as well.

Just my two cents worth. Rick

 

[Tom_in_CA]

excellent analysis Rick.

Rick, you are right on the money.

 

[Cool Hand Fluke]

Yes it does work, but it's quite a bit of work shoveling all that dirt. I made this sifter (pics below) a couple of years ago for digging in the old Tonapah Nevada 1800's dump. Our metal detector club went to Tonapah with about 10 members and we sifted through the dump debris shoveling it into our sifters. We worked sifting through the debris for 2 days. You can find some good stuff, but it takes time. We found old marbles, porcelain doll heads, silver coins, tokens, and many, many, misc. items. One guy was really surprised with a gold pocket watch chain!

My sifter is pretty simple. Just get some 2 X 4 pieces, chicken wire, hinges, screws, etc. The hinged top can be pounded up and down to shake out all the dirt and debris.

Good luck! It's actually fun doing this!

 

[stefen]

another method is to make the whole contraption using Sch 40 PVC pipe and fittings...weighs less and the legs are slip-fitted...

Besides you will be rewarded by work an sweat...coins and such don't just jump into your hands by whistling...

Keep us posted...

 

[fmrUSMC_0844]

I have seen one made out of a card table. They just took the top off and mounted the screen to it. Looked pretty sturdy to me.

 

[stefen]

There are hundred of ways to make a sifting screen...hell, get an old VW with a moon roof and use that...it's can be driven to the site...is self contained and can carry equipment...gotta leave the doors open though...