Le Trap Gold Pan (Modification)

[207M&R]

Just finished adding some grizzly bars to my Le Trap gold pan. I wanted to make it a more efficient for prospecting and testing in coarse gravels. It is just 1/4" mild steel round stock welded with a cheap stick welder. Would look much better if I had a TIG Welder. Wanted to share the idea with everyone! I haven't tested it yet and probably won't be able to right off because of going back on my work rotation.

Thanks, Ben

 

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[Jeff95531]

Welcome Ben. Really like the idea and your work. At first I thought you had repurposed a Hibachi grill plate.

 

[207M&R]

Thanks Jeff,
Probably more trouble than it was worth.
Maybe I should have used a grill grate to have saved on the time and frustration with my welder haha.

 

[Sam_at_Armadillo]

Did ya know that the original Le Trap pans came with classifieds made to seat in them. I have not personally ever seen them, but I have been told about them from Ol' Timers.
Anyone out there still have have them? I would love to see a picture!
:-)
Sam

 

[N-Lionberger]

I have seen one but do not own one. I would like to have one the Le Trap is a cool pan.

 

[goldenmojo]

Too bad the pan is not made of metal you could get a nice Ribeye on that thing. Excellent work Ben. Fiddling and experimenting is the key to success and saves on the outlay. Some ribbed matting might do well in it. Keep posting.

 

[207M&R]

I didn't know that the pans ever came with a classifier. I looked for pictures and couldn't find any. That would be neat to see if anyone has pictures, I second that Sam. The idea of putting some deep V matting in the bottom is great. Once the pan is stratified it might allow me to pan a bit more aggressively and not worry about losing the fine gold up here in the Northeast.
Thanks for the input guys!!

 

[arizau]

If you can figure out a way to hinge the grizzly at the dump end it would improve your mod even more. That said, I saw one demonstrated at a gold show several years ago and I don't seem to recall that there was any problem in clearing the larger stones by just brushing or washing them off the end after the heavies were settled.

Good luck

 

[Jeff95531]

Found one image in Google that may or may not be it...in the lower left corner.

 

[Vance in AK]

I have an almost full set of the classifiers. I'll try & get a pic & see if I'm smart enough to post it.

 

[Jeff95531]

I have an almost full set of the classifiers. I'll try & get a pic & see if I'm smart enough to post it.

Any guesses as to when your season will begin Vance? How much snow pack is still on the ground now? Cheney Lake in Anch used to ice out around 5/8.

 

[bedrock bubba]

Did ya know that the original Le Trap pans came with classifieds made to seat in them. I have not personally ever seen them, but I have been told about them from Ol' Timers.
Anyone out there still have have them? I would love to see a picture!
:-)
Sam

I bought a Le Trap the first year they came to the U.s. and never saw a classifier!

 

[mendoAu]

Don't think it's a secret....every old refrigerator has a half dozen "classifiers" of various sizes inside. Don't forget to check out the back 'cause they usually have a fairly large "safety" grid covering the coils.

 

[Vance in AK]

I thought I had 5 but only 3 were in the pile. I also had two pans so maybe the other 2 are with the other pan.
They look a little funky but they are factory. The mesh markings aren't just marker. They are raised.

 

[arizau]

Found one image in Google that may or may not be it...in the lower left corner.

View attachment 1432650

The one shown is a pyramid pro pan invented by the fossicker and is probably one of the easiest to use hand held concentraters.

 

[Sam_at_Armadillo]

Way Cool "Vance in AK" Thank you!
Not even what I was expecting.
I always imagined they would look something like the cool grate that started this thred.

:-)
Sam

 

[Vance in AK]

Any guesses as to when your season will begin Vance? How much snow pack is still on the ground now? Cheney Lake in Anch used to ice out around 5/8.

Today is mid 20s but weather man says in a few days its supposed to go to mid 40s for the highs. If that's true I'd say we still have a good 6 weeks before things START opening up in the "high country" (about 1500' around here!).
I AM READY!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jeff95531]

Today is mid 20s but weather man says in a few days its supposed to go to mid 40s for the highs. If that's true I'd say we still have a good 6 weeks before things START opening up in the "high country" (about 1500' around here!).
I AM READY!!!!!!!!!

Thank You! Gawd, I hate hijacking a thread but I was SO about to pm you. LOL

 

[Bonaro]

Did ya know that the original Le Trap pans came with classifieds made to seat in them. I have not personally ever seen them, but I have been told about them from Ol' Timers.
Anyone out there still have have them? I would love to see a picture!
:-)
Sam

Picked these up at an estate sale many years ago, use them all the time. I have a couple more somewhere.

 

[deserdog]

Pyramid pan just a grizzly gold pan on steriods!