Im back with a 6" Build

[Reed Lukens]

2 would be enough and if mounted on the outer rail like you've shown, they could be slid forward or back and would give you an easy sliding angle adjustment for your box when running or set full forward by the motors for clean up.

 

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[oragonads]

Alright, I have to move out on Thursday. I was going to see about extending my rent for another week or two but can only do it by a monthly basis, which I really dont want to do.

Due to the circumstance I'll be returning the brawn dredge floats, scrapping my partial steel frame, and ordering the Keene floats/frame combo as well as the motor/pump plate to mount my 16hp/p350s combo. I'll have to have it mailed to my fathers place in Nevada and pick it up when I move my belongings to his place for storage while Im dredging.

Anyone interested in a hardly used newer Keene highbanker/powersluice? I just lowered the price to $750 on craigslist. I was hoping to sell it before I move, as the less stuff I have the better.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Another failed homebuild... Let this be a good reminder for everyone that is going to build their own dredge. Start with the right flotation for the sluice box and pump weight you are going to use and then and only then, after everything is drawn out and configured, start building.

 

[oragonads]

Not a failed build... Just switching to the quickest/easiest/cheapest method of purchasing a premanufactured frame and pontoon set given my current situation. I can easily finish what I have now but I'd have to pay another $1400 per month rent fee just to stay an extra week to finish it. Would have been done by now but other projects (such as installing a 454 into a Tahiti jet boat, head job on a Honda civic, jet ski motor rebuild, and lift block install on a 20' flat bed) that pushed the dredge back.

 

[oragonads]

I could have gone with the easy and cheap method of fabricating a simple frame around some 30 gallon barrels but unfortunately I'm a perfectionist in my work and I'd rather spend the few extra bucks on building my stuff to not only perform well, but look good.

 

[Hoser John]

Yahoo Reed love them barrels but blue is hard to camo as I prefer white. I've floated 3-4-5-6" with them bullet proof devils and coveth beyond all others. TOUGH is the word-John

 

[oragonads]

I got the sluice and riffle trays back today. They look good, I'm happy with them. I was hoping they were going to have them plated as well but I'll just undercooat them.

 

[oragonads]

Update:

2 days ago I was able to negotiate with my land lord to stay at my current home for another week or two and pay rent on a daily basis. I went ahead and ordered 4 more floats straight from prospectors plus and continued to build my custom frame. They were supposed to call me and let me know whalllt the shipping would cost before sending them out. I received an email from them yesterday stating they had shipped the floats and the shipping cost is $200. The floats from them (the manufacturer of the Brawn Floats) was $650 plus shipping puts them at $850. Yet I was able to buy the first set of floats from Cabelas for $600, with free shipping other then a $55 oversize charge, for a total of $655. Why didn't I order from Cabelas? They are out of stock.

Turns out Prospectors plus sells them to Cabelas for $78 each in bulk. Yet, they find over a 50% inflation in price to single buyers is reasonable. I'm waiting for them to call me back as I refuse to pay $200 for shipping without having a heads up.

Also to make things worse, I got a call from my land lord this morning that I have to move out by tomorrow... No clue why he changed his mind on me staying an extra week.

 

[oragonads]

Just heard back from them, I won't have to pay for the shipping. They were not very nice about it either. Last time I do business with them.

 

[Asmbandits]

Ive got 5, 15, 30, and 55 gallon white plastic drums for sale dirt cheap if you change your mind again for whatever reason..

 

[winners58]

those are some nice riffles, still have to get some made for my 5" build.
got a new 11hp motor coming, still have to lower the frame where the sluice sits.
.

 

[oragonads]

those are some nice riffles, still have to get some made for my 5" build.
got a new 11hp motor coming, still have to lower the frame where the sluice sits.
.
View attachment 1156871

Nice looking dredge.

The ruffles came out well. They are made out of a thicker gauge steel to prevent bending/flexing when large rocks roll over them. They ought to work well.
Here is another picture, I didn't realize I posted the same one twice.

 

[Mgumby16]

Nice looking riffles. Could you provide the dimensions for them with the ankles they were bent at.

 

[oragonads]

Got all moved in down here in Nevada. Back to work on the dredge. Hoping to have it finished by the end of the week. Dredging season dowesnt start on my claim until June 15th so I'm cutting it close. Dredge is looking good though.

 

[oragonads]

 

[oragonads]

 

[spaghettigold]

aaahh..dredge pics..keep it coming.. frame looks good.

 

[oragonads]

Dredge is just about done. Just have a few small things left to put together. Working on installing the clamps for the riffle system but trying to decide if I should trim some length off of the sides of the sluice. I currently have 9" tall sides on a 20"x6' sluice box. I'm pretty sure that is a bit more then I need. I'm thinking more about 7" sides for the lower 3/4 length of the sluice. That will leave me with 6" of side height above the riffles.

Any suggestions on side height? What are the sluice box's on keene and proline 6" dredges? The keene 6" I had a few years ago d definitely wasn't 9" tall but I don't remember the exact dimensions.

 

[principedeleon]

Im back with a 6" Build

I would definitely go with a twin engine for portability and better GPM output for better suction.

And I'll go with the 20-30 gallon barrels over the Pontoons like the rest of the guys said.
Means more money to spend elsewhere.

 

[oragonads]

I would have went with twin engines and pumps but I already had 2 New 16hp engines and a keene 3x4 pump to use.

As of the barrels for the floats, I probably would have went with those but the company who I ordered my floats from wouldn't take returns so I've got these laying around to use as well.