Sluicing tips i need some

[gold guy]

Hey guys this is gold guy I'm new with sluice boxes know a lot about dredges thought but it is winter so I need something light and not have to get waist deep in 25 degree water any tips for a rookie slucier thanks

Gold guy

 

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[Goodyguy]

Look at the LeTrap or the Angus Mackirk they are both really lightweight and are easy to clean up and when setup properly will catch everything from nuggets down to flour gold.

Then there is the Bazooka gold trap sluice that requires no classifying. It's a little heavier and more expensive but it is rugged and effective for small nuggets, flakes, fines, and flour gold plus it's easy to do a clean up.


GG~

 

[Sportsman]

Also new guy here with same question. I've read most of the threads comparing the sluices and have narrowed to Angus Mackirk with possibility of Bazooka. On AM's, what are the advantages of the AU gold trap style (boss) compared to the explorer? I know they are not the same size but I'm looking at is the AU trap a much improved riffle design or just different?

If I go Bazooka it would need to be mini. Appears they don't sell Super Mini anymore so I wonder how much I would be losing on volume compared to AM?. Wondered about a Bazooka mini to test areas and then use it (kids) alongside AM for production.

All advice for a green horn is welcome.

 

[Reed Lukens]

South Yuba Mining Company has great sluices, go to a prospecting shop & look around. Depending on where you are located and how big the gold is will determine the right sluice for you. Stay away from the plastic unless you are going after fines & have to classify.

 

[Sportsman]

I don't have a brick and mortar prospecting shop close. One of the online dealers is 50 miles away so i can do local pickup if i choose something they have. I'm waiting on a reply to what they have in stock but that wont be sole factor. I am going to a local club meeting the end of the month but hoped to get a sluice before then to maximize the time I have. I deploy in a few months and life goes on hold.

I've been told the gold in the river closest to me (50 miles) is flour and smaller so that is a factor in picking a sluice. A lot more options when I drive 150-200 miles but that will be a few times a year, or a easy day trip a couple times a month.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Sportsman, where are you based? Ask smart prospectors in your area...

Mine it and recycle it!

 

[Reed Lukens]

If it's that small, you will have to classify anyway, so even the ez-sluice should work fine & they are cheap & catch the gold just fine. Plus being molded plastic they are light weight and you can build a simple small high banker attachment for it out of a couple 5 gallon buckets with some ¼" hardware cloth and a small pump for recirculating if you have low water conditions. The other choice if you have money to burn would be a small gold cube, which is great for small gold but classifying to 1/8" as recommended by them is time consuming. But I have plenty of friends who swear by them & have sold the rest of their equipment & strictly use the cube. So there are lots of options out there for you.

 

[Sportsman]

I'm an hour from Fresno. I see that California Sluice is an option for local pickup and they have a store but as for as sluices, just sell their line. Prices aren't bad to get one to start and it looks geared to fine gold. I looked at gold cube and if I get serious may pick one up down the road but would still need a sluice for backpacking and use the gold cube for cleanup.

Anyone with experience with CA sluice? I've seen positive comments but not the same volume as Angus Mackirk or Bazooka, presumably because they are a smaller shop. Am I correct that it is a similare design to AM?

I will ask locals at end of Jan for Coarsegold Prospectors but if I can get a good versatile sluice for small nuggets to flakes and below I'd rather jump so I can get a couple trips in while I have time. I'll see if can get someone on the phone before as well.

 

[Reed Lukens]

Some people like the California sluice but I'm not a fan. In fact I'm willing to say at this point - buy anything but that sluicebox...

 

[walldo]

I went to a shop in Tamecula. Good folks and tons of knowledge. I found them on google. Offered to rent me some equipment and let me know where to go. Look them up.

 

[mjarvis]

Look at the LeTrap or the Angus Mackirk they are both really lightweight and are easy to clean up and when setup properly will catch everything from nuggets down to flour gold.

Then there is the Bazooka gold trap sluice that requires no classifying. It's a little heavier and more expensive but it is rugged and effective for small nuggets, flakes, fines, and flour gold plus it's easy to do a clean up.

GG~

So goodguy, how is the Keene come pair to those types of boxes?? Im looking to buy one but not spend to much on one. I live in Northern cal, not sure what types of material gold but assuming all types but what would you suggest ??

Thxs matt

 

[Goodyguy]

So goodguy, how is the Keene come pair to those types of boxes?? Im looking to buy one but not spend to much on one. I live in Northern cal, not sure what types of material gold but assuming all types but what would you suggest ??

Thxs matt

I have a Keene A-52 and have found many ways to adapt it to suit varying conditions. It's well constructed and will last, and a good all around sluice. With the hopper and pump accessory it can be converted to a highbanker and with hoses and a nozzle the high banker can be used to suction dredge from the bank or sand bar etc.

With that being said, as far as a sluice goes I hardly use anything other than my homemade bazooka with adjustable folding wings.


Wings out................................................................Folded in


GG~

 

[KevinInColorado]

I happen to strongly agree with GG on this but if you notice his 6 years of participation and 3400(!!) posts I hope you conclude that his expertise is all you need as your guide!

Mine it and recycle it!

 

[nuggetshooter323]

Those wings are pretty cool.

I have a Keene A-52 and have found many ways to adapt it to suit varying conditions. It's well constructed and will last, and a good all around sluice. With the hopper and pump accessory it can be converted to a highbanker and with hoses and a nozzle the high banker can be used to suction dredge from the bank or sand bar etc.

With that being said, as far as a sluice goes I hardly use anything other than my homemade bazooka with adjustable folding wings.

View attachment 730877

GG~

 

[KevinInColorado]

The whole thing is bad ass cool!

Mine it and recycle it!

 

[Hoser John]

No matter what ya buy the equipment is only as good as the operator and the process he utilizes. Preclassify,dry if possible to 1/2" and you'll be a much happier miner. When done at days end simply dump and clean the box and reset for bigger rocks and run them too,increases recovery to isolate by size and specific gravity-John

 

[frost10509]

I have a Keene A-52 and have found many ways to adapt it to suit varying conditions. It's well constructed and will last, and a good all around sluice. With the hopper and pump accessory it can be converted to a highbanker and with hoses and a nozzle the high banker can be used to suction dredge from the bank or sand bar etc.

With that being said, as far as a sluice goes I hardly use anything other than my homemade bazooka with adjustable folding wings.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=730877"/>

GG~

Hi GG,
Nice looking sluice. I have been itching to make one of my own similar to the Bazooka. Looks like you nailed it. I just finished a miller table for my fines and it works quite well. Do you have a parts list or design schematic I could use for one of my own? Don't reinvent the wheel if I don't have to is my motto. Also, can your sluice run in a high banker configuration? Thanks so much and have a great weekend! :-)

 

[Goodyguy]

Hi GG,
Nice looking sluice. I have been itching to make one of my own similar to the Bazooka. Looks like you nailed it. I just finished a miller table for my fines and it works quite well. Do you have a parts list or design schematic I could use for one of my own? Don't reinvent the wheel if I don't have to is my motto. Also, can your sluice run in a high banker configuration? Thanks so much and have a great weekend! :-)

It has evolved some since the original prototype......http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/sluicing/263238-my-diy-fluid-bed-gold-trap-sluice.html

High banker yes.......

 

[mjarvis]

It has evolved some since the original prototype......http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/sluicing/263238-my-diy-fluid-bed-gold-trap-sluice.html

High banker yes.......

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=731229"/>

That's great GG. This might sound like a dumb question but where's your moss?? I like the looks of the sluice but looks to me like a steel shoot?? Are the wings designed to bring in more water and material?? I'm confused on the miners moss where it would be set up. I'm a novice at this and with alittle bit knowledge I'll be dangerous lol. Thanks for the tips!!

 

[Goodyguy]

That's great GG. This might sound like a dumb question but where's your moss?? I like the looks of the sluice but looks to me like a steel shoot?? Are the wings designed to bring in more water and material?? I'm confused on the miners moss where it would be set up. I'm a novice at this and with alittle bit knowledge I'll be dangerous lol. Thanks for the tips!!

That's the beauty of the design..... No need to classify.... No need for riffles....No need for miners moss or carpet or ribbed matting. All the gold gets trapped in the fluid bed. Except for nuggets and they get hung up at the front edge of the punch plate where I left a V notch as a nugget trap.

And yes when I need more water flow I just swing the wings open and lock them in the desired position.

GG~