sluice box help

[southpaw1661]

i got myself a sluice box and i really don't know what angle i show have it at. does anyone no what i should no.

 

[rlborde]

The rule of thumb that I have seen posted is one inch of drop for every foot of sluice length. But some experimentation is always helpful. The amount of water passing through the sluice will also affect the performance. So finding the right mix of water flow and angle for optimum performance may take a little experimentation.

 

[southpaw1661]

ok so for example if the water was moving fast id drop it more and if it was slower id raise it more

 

[Gold Maven]

You want to retain some material in your sluice, the space between the large riffles should show some carpet.

In other words if its too flat, the riffles will be full of material and won't be able to catch the gold.

If it is too steep, the riffles won't work either as all the material blows out the end.

Experiment until you find an angle that holds some material behind the riffle, but isn't totally full from riffle to riffle.

Get some old lead tire weights, smash them flat, cut into small pieces, and throw them into the material you're running to see if you catch them. Good Luck. post some pics.

 

[Reed Lukens]

½" per foot minimum usually.

 

[kitt]

if any angle id say 5-10 max. it really depends on the water flow.

 

[EvoQ]

Great Idea GoldMaven ( experiment with small shards of old lead tire irons/weights).........also doesn't the Type of Gold that you are mining play a huge role on your Sluice angle and setup. ie; Flake Gold, Granular, and Fine Sandy Gold ??

 

[MadMarshall]

Personally I think you can watch all the vids and try all the angles but as the river will never present you with the perfect conditions I pay no mind to none of it.. The truth is trial and error. knowing what works with that sluice.. One you see that your losing gold I think you will most likely figure it out pretty quick..

 

[B H Prospector]

Hi southpaw and welcome.
set your sluice with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of drop. if the water is running fast flatten it out drop if too slow. also use rocks to direct the water to the sluice if it is too slow or not enough volume of water. It should take 15 to 30 seconds for the material to clear the head of your sluice. That will tell you that both angle and flow is correct. the tips gold maven stated are very good tips to follow and learn.

Good Luck!

B H Prospector

 

[southpaw1661]

Thank You! So what your saying is just the front of the sluice not all the way through right

 

[B H Prospector]

Material should clear out of the front in 15 to 30 seconds. Then you can add the next scoop of material.

B H Prospecor

 

[Barry-Goodknight]

watch a bunch of youtube videos, you'll get the idea.

also if you have really fine gold where you're at, you should run it slower, I think.