utah mason
Hero Member
Thanks for pictures and advice. I'm currently running a Keene a51. I have been playing with a few different set ups to catch the fine gold, well because that's all that's in my area. I have been thinking of getting the mini for hiking, it looks really light. My sons is 7, so I end up packing most everything. I really liked the last pics. I'm going to pick one up and give it a try. Thanks again for the great advice. This site has been a invaluable source for me getting startedbakergeol -
You and KevinInC are both right - Yes you are going to lose a certain percentage of fine gold based on the water speed and size of classification (which also includes just shoveling in). Faster water or steeper angle will suspend finer gold particles and will not allow some of them to drop into the capture device regardless of type (riffle, drop, fluid bed, etc). KInC's theory of the small mesh gold you are losing will easily be outweighed by the total amount of gold you are getting because you are processing more material more quickly is also valid.
It depends on if your goal is: maximum extraction of all gold sizes or just processing more material. As stated in other threads I am a proponent of matching classification and water speed to the material because I am trying to maximize the percentage of recovery. KInC is more material, more gold guy. Neither is right or wrong. Bottom line: do whatever floats your boat. Choose what is important to you, buy the machine that can do the job and tailor your techniques to make it happen.