Prototype Stream Highbanker

[Terrible - One]

So I bought a keene a52 a few months ago. I was reluctant to buy a sluice given that I'm a metal fabricator, but I wanted someone else to do all the R&D for me. I figured I would buy a basic sluice, and modify it as I see fit. I've taken it out and used it probably 2 times. It's decent, but leaves much to be desired. The main issue I have with it is the feed rate is far too slow if you feed it at a rate that will allow for stratification of the material.
So I've been reading
Heckler Fab's sluicing research . I want a sluice that can be fed full shovels with proper efficiency. Basically the function of a highbanker, without a pump. I believe stratification is the key. A decent sized slick plate before any riffles should allow raw material to fed & still separate before hitting the riffles. The adjustable pitch grizzly should allow me to classify material, while washing water across all rocks before they exit the grizzlies. I run my sluice with legs in fast moving water, so I can easily keep it rasied up enough to allow large rocks to wash out below the sluice. This is all theory and speculation at this point, but I have a really good feeling about this system. This is the monstrosity I came up with.

I picked up all the material for the mods at the local metal recycling place for $0.60/lb. The sluice extension piece is 3/8" wider on each side than the keene, so I cut & widened the stock flare to match.

This is what the setup looked like before I decided to add a stratification slick plate extension.

The legs I fabricated are extremely simple and effective

I'm hoping I can get up to quartzville this weekend after the GPAA gold show in Salem (OR). I really want to test out this system. I'll keep you updated

 

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[Vance in AK]

I like the principles behind it & would think it should work well. I assume there will be a 3rd set of legs on the extension?
I have to admit I have never run a sluice on legs so I can offer no real advice but I,m wondering if your material will fall off the grizzly before it washes completely/is broken up. Probably not a problem. I have also thought of a grizzly of the same style for my sluices but was concerned about surges in the water flow while there was a lot of material laying on the grizzly then it clearing. Probably not an issue.

 

[Terrible - One]

The legs will be relocated to balance the sluice. I may have to redesign the legs to handle the extra weight, but they seem pretty strong.
The grizzly is not currently hard mounted to the sluice, so it has a good range of motion. From almost horizontal, up as steep as I want to go. I can't wait to try it.

 

[Vance in AK]

I'm looking forward to pics & video!!!

As far as additional legs go, I was more concerned with balance/stability (if no legs on one end it would tend to tip) or rigidity/span (no legs in the center might cause sag or a low spot) than leg strength.

 

[63bkpkr]

Terrible - One ,
I love the leg clamp photo, exactly as you stated is my opinion as well! Also, Way better than Keene legs but somebody had to be first. I would think your design will be copied quickly.

In order for the grizzly to wash it must be flooded, this could mean the water will be way high for the riffles, I'd guess it depends on the pitch of the river/stream/crik. Look forward to see some 'in action' photos especially with the way extended slick plate and I like that as well and by the way, nice pictures.............63bkpkr

 

[Terrible - One]

Thanks
I think you're right bkpkr. I usually run about 1/2" of fast water over the lip of the flare. Not gonna allow my design to work as intended.... Unless I help it by redirecting water to my grizzlies. Which can be done with proper conditions, like I did here

I also have a 10ft x 9.5in x 4in lightweight metal chute that I always take mining with me. Works great for water redirection or to use as a dam.

 

[Terrible - One]

 

[63bkpkr]

T_O,
I looked at the picture you posted with the sluice in this "stream" and my brain went Bang wait a minute, his avatar picture. By any chance are they one and the same stream? Man that is one steep down hill gradient! Gravel would need to come from pockets along the sides of the chute/stream bank. That is an amazing place to play! What do you wear for shoes that grip the surface? I've been looking at rubber 'thingys' you put on over your shoes/boots that have metal teeth on the bottoms of them that dig into ice thinking they might work on wet slippery rock, at REI.

With the picture of your water source your plans all seem to come into focus, the long slick plate, the long chute, the grizzly on the flare all make some sense, I still love your legs (on the sluice).

Ok, time for this recent surgery patient to take the ice pack from his shoulder and get some shut eye though likely I will dream of sugar plums decorated with gold nuggets................63bkpkr

What have you found at the very bottom of your water source as it exits the mountain?

 

[Terrible - One]

The stream where I had the water redirection redirection pic is up in the costal range about 30 min from my house. here's a few more pics.

The avatar pic is just a cool water chute I saw in the rec mining area up at quartsville. Which is about 70 miles away in the cascade range. Which is where I usually goof around.

So I plan on testing this system out soon.

 

[russau]

you need to add some large metal pads to the bottom of your 4 legs or itll sink into the streambed when useing!

 

[Terrible - One]

Haven't had any need for feet yet. The rear legs alone can easily support the sluice and 10ft chute full of material and water without shifting.

I put miners moss over ribbed matting. Now catching coarse gold. love it

 

[Terrible - One]

test videos

So I took it out last weekend after the GPAA gold show in Salem. I bought some miners moss, and v-ribbed matting to back it. I'd have to say that replacing the stupid green carpet with moss/matting combo was an amazing improvement. I didn't expect to find much gold where I was working, but I got some little chunkys. I can't wait to get back up there.

Getting used to the auto feeding characteristic of my water chute

The hole I was digging in

 

[Goodyguy]

Awesome build
Being a tinkerer and inventor myself I respect what you have done with your build and I like the way you think.

Not trying to be cute here, just FYI........ Believe it or not a Bazooka Super prospector gold trap would do everything you are asking without having to haul in so much equipment, and the cleanup is so fast and easy it's hard to believe. It's built with a long slick plate before the grizzly and has a built in fluid bed gold trap that catches coarse gold all the way down to sub 100 mesh and the whole unit is only about 50" long.

*I do not work for Bazooka and I have no affiliation with the company.

GG~

 

[Terrible - One]

I recently started looking at those. after last weeks trip I took about 10 min to make my first fluid bed concentrator. Works great.

http://static.photobucket.com/playe...otobucket-76641-1365000157538_zps9bbaf651.mp4


I'm going to look into creating my own fluid bed sluice, thanks for the input

 

[Goodyguy]

I recently started looking at those. after last weeks trip I took about 10 min to make my first fluid bed concentrator. Works great.

http://static.photobucket.com/playe...otobucket-76641-1365000157538_zps9bbaf651.mp4


I'm going to look into creating my own fluid bed sluice, thanks for the input

I built my own a couple years ago and it has been my favorite piece of equipment ever since. It can even be adapted into a high banker.

GG~

 

[Terrible - One]

I think I'm going to construct my first prototype from wood. Then when I'm happy with the design I'll make a finalized version from aluminum. Very motivated to make one. Packing all this gear around is becoming somewhat silly.

 

[Terrible - One]

 

[Island_Hunter]

It's a lot to pack around, but it appears to be quite effective! I love all the pics and videos. It has got me thinking of how I can improve mine. What I would give to be able to cut down on the classification process and speed up the feed rate. I have just put in my order for new Gold Hog mats and am pretty excited.