Rookie sluicing question.

mytimetoshine · Jul 5, 2013

I want to buy a small sluice but im confused. I want a small sluice that i can easily carry but what i dont undestand is the different matting materials. What is better for fine gold, the black ribbed matting or the blue miners moss? Is it about water flow? If you run only black ribbed do you not have a chance at bigger pieces of gold? Whats better riffels and moss or ribbed matting? I was thinking of a small mini keene, but then i saw the EZ sluice box which is intriuging because it has both.....im lost need some help.

KevinInColorado · Jul 5, 2013

Get a medium sized drop riffle sluice...phooey on all that stuff about ribbed mats and miners moss!

Fullpan · Jul 6, 2013

Kevin - wish the drop riffle was around when I was active back in the day. It would have accounted for a couple more ounces, just in convenience and time
saved out there. Its a great example of KISS.

KevinInColorado · Jul 6, 2013

Fullpan said:
Kevin - wish the drop riffle was around when I was active back in the day. It would have accounted for a couple more ounces, just in convenience and time
saved out there. Its a great example of KISS.

Quite so, quite so!

mytimetoshine · Jul 6, 2013

So just one of those plastic jobs? The small keene looks so much better though

are these drop riffles really new or something because every video and of course the gold shows use the regular sluice boxs. On gold fever they were using one of those black ribbed mats on the beach. I forget what they called the box though. He was saying how its best for flour gold? Maybe ill just get both and see which one works best ? I want to order one soon so ill have it ready for my next outing which should be in the next two weeks sometime.

Oh and im also going with my parents to rollins reservoir (orchard springs rv park) to test out the new MinnieWinnie htey bought. Is it worth panning there? Or is there anywhere to sluice?

KevinInColorado · Jul 6, 2013

mytimetoshine said:
So just one of those plastic jobs? The small keene looks so much better though are these drop riffles really new or something because every video and of course the gold shows use the regular sluice boxs. On gold fever they were using one of those black ribbed mats on the beach. I forget what they called the box though. He was saying how its best for flour gold? Maybe ill just get both and see which one works best ? I want to order one soon so ill have it ready for my next outing which should be in the next two weeks sometime.

Oh and im also going with my parents to rollins reservoir (orchard springs rv park) to test out the new MinnieWinnie htey bought. Is it worth panning there? Or is there anywhere to sluice?

Yes, one of those plastic jobs. Personally I like the angus Mackirk brand but there are several with good reputations.

mytimetoshine · Jul 6, 2013

KevinInColorado said:
Yes, one of those plastic jobs. Personally I like the angus Mackirk brand but there are several with good reputations.

Those do look pretty cool. If you and fullpan say thats the way to go, thats good enough for me. And they are lighter weight and half the price

but im confused between the 2 models. Whats the difference between the A.U trap series and the sluice masters series?

KevinInColorado · Jul 6, 2013

mytimetoshine said:
Those do look pretty cool. If you and fullpan say thats the way to go, thats good enough for me. And they are lighter weight and half the price but im confused between the 2 models. Whats the difference between the A.U trap series and the sluice masters series?

Well, I have the Expedition and it works great. A friend has one of the other style (AU trap type) and it works great too. The AU tap style is a relatively newer innovation so maybe it's better?

mytimetoshine · Jul 6, 2013

KevinInColorado said:
Well, I have the Expedition and it works great. A friend has one of the other style (AU trap type) and it works great too. The AU tap style is a relatively newer innovation so maybe it's better?

Yea i been looking at em for the last couple hours. On there website they have a little diagram that shows the two different riffles. I didnt even notice the difference at first, its slight, but it does look a little more aggressive on the top of the riffle or idk how to describe it. Im sure there both good. You guys were right they look so easy to carry because of the light weight and the cleanup is absolute breeze. Then on top of that they are a great price? looks like a no brainer. The model you have is the one im looking at too. Probably pull the trigger on it tomorrow.

Somebody's about to get his sluice on!

mytimetoshine · Jul 8, 2013

OH YEA! Its on like donkey kong:

Code Item Qty Price Grand Total
AM-5 Angus MacKIrk - "Explorer" Sluice
1 $89.00 $89.00
G-1650000 Garrett 14" Prospector
1 $8.95 $8.95
G-1650200 Garrett 14 inch Sifter/Classifier
1 $7.95 $7.95
5016 Vials - 1 Oz. Glass W/Lid (Bag of 10)
1 $4.50 $4.50
SCOOP Scoop
1 $7.25 $7.25
6831 Snappy Grip Handles
1 $2.99 $2.99

Subtotal: $120.64
Tax: $0.00
Shipping Cost: $30.35
Grand Total: $150.99

KevinInColorado · Jul 8, 2013

Congrats, with all that, a suction "tweezers" (pipette) and a shovel, you are on your way!!

mytimetoshine · Jul 8, 2013

KevinInColorado said:
Congrats, with all that, a suction "tweezers" (pipette) and a shovel, you are on your way!!

Already got a colapsable shovel( althought i think a standard shovel might be better,now, after realizing the amount of material i need to move). Just googled pipette. Looks lie a small turkey baster. Whats that used for?

KevinInColorado · Jul 9, 2013

Sucking the gold out of your pan...no point in picking up specks one by one

mytimetoshine · Jul 9, 2013

KevinInColorado said:
Sucking the gold out of your pan...no point in picking up specks one by one

Oh,lol. I thought that's what the snuffer bottle was used for.

KevinInColorado · Jul 9, 2013

Yes but a pipette is more targeted so you suck up less random sand with your gravel. Lots of guys make do with a sucker bottle tho so you can too. I just wouldn't considering they are like $0.50 or so.

mytimetoshine · Jul 9, 2013

KevinInColorado said:
Yes but a pipette is more targeted so you suck up less random sand with your gravel. Lots of guys make do with a sucker bottle tho so you can too. I just wouldn't considering they are like $0.50 or so.

Yea it amazing how much black sand ends up in the snuffer bottle. Been just dumping it back into the pan. Using the tap method then a couple swirls. Use the snuffer again then repeat.

KevinInColorado · Jul 10, 2013

Sounds like you are already getting the technique down pat. Good job!

mytimetoshine · Jul 20, 2013

Well, i got my angus mackirk and im gonna take it out on monday! I was looking at the riffles and they dont look like the pictures/diagrams on the web site...... The tops of the riffles are just rounded off looking. In the diagram there is supposed to be a little step at the peak....anybody ever seen this?

Fullpan · Jul 20, 2013

mytimetoshine said:
OH YEA! Its on like donkey kong:

Code Item Qty Price Grand Total
AM-5 Angus MacKIrk - "Explorer" Sluice
1 $89.00 $89.00
G-1650000 Garrett 14" Prospector
1 $8.95 $8.95
G-1650200 Garrett 14 inch Sifter/Classifier
1 $7.95 $7.95
5016 Vials - 1 Oz. Glass W/Lid (Bag of 10)
1 $4.50 $4.50
SCOOP Scoop
1 $7.25 $7.25
6831 Snappy Grip Handles
1 $2.99 $2.99

Subtotal: $120.64
Tax: $0.00
Shipping Cost: $30.35
Grand Total: $150.99

Not quite done yet for basics - no rush, you can add them later. 1. - a safety/clean-up/backup pan 2. one more sifter of smaller mesh (you've got 1/4 inch?)
3. - a magnet (cost nothing but comes in handy on final drying/cleanups) 4. - a rock pick/hammer. Good idea getting those Snappy Grip Handles - another
"new" thing I wish I had back then. Don't know how many dozens of bucket handles I ruint'

mytimetoshine · Jul 20, 2013

Fullpan said:
Not quite done yet for basics - no rush, you can add them later. 1. - a safety/clean-up/backup pan 2. one more sifter of smaller mesh (you've got 1/4 inch?)
3. - a magnet (cost nothing but comes in handy on final drying/cleanups) 4. - a rock pick/hammer. Good idea getting those Snappy Grip Handles - another
"new" thing I wish I had back then. Don't know how many dozens of bucket handles I ruint'

Thanks Fullpan! I actually have some of that stuff already I just never mentioned it. I got a hammer with a nice straight rear tail on it even though its not specifically for prospecting it does the job. Got the magnet already and I also got 2 other pans. A 14" and a 10". I need the 1/4 sifter still though...in fact my original intention was to buy a 1/4 sifter. Somehow i spaced and ended up with the 1/2 but still better then nothing. Yea i think those bucket handles are going to be well worth the 3 bucks... What does a 5 gallon bucket full of rocks and dirt weight? 40 pounds? That little wire handle will get old REAL quick. Hurts my fingers just thinking about it!