Which sluice box to buy?

[vapourtrail]

I know it is down to personal preference, but I am still undecided on what sluice box to buy.
I want something that is fairly light for the backpack, not necessarily too long but not ridiculously short either. I don't mind the idea of the cleaning out, although I know there are a lot of sluices out there where clean out is a breeze. And something that is going to catch the smallest of flour to medium flakes (as I am assuming that is going to be the majority of what I find- hopefully!).

Decisions decisions. Anyone got any advice for this greenhorn?

 

[vapourtrail]

Part of me was thinking about going with some of these fold up backpack sluices that I have seen on Ebay, but I have been a little skeptical. Whilst it would be convenient, and fold up small, I figure you may lose gold through the individual cracks where it connects together. Thanks for the advice Nobody, I am sure you are right regarding the experience etc.

 

[KevinInColorado]

I agree on the idea of getting an Angus Mackirk. Go for it!

Your concerns about folding sluices are right on target. Some are ok from what I've seen and heard, others lose gold or don't stay level.

 

[Hoser John]

Le Trap as extremely light-no carpet to deal with,fantastic recovery and cheaper than many-John

 

[Joel1316]

I'm no expert, but if I were going to bring a sluice with me on a backpacking trip. I would bring my Angus Mackirk Backpacker. Light, inexpensive, catches any size gold you run through it and easy clean out.
If you have the space and the budget, I would go with the Bazooka Mini, but you need to make sure you have very good water flow.

 

[Hard Prospector]

Angus MacKirk "Recon" and/or Bazooka "Super Mini" fit in almost any pack.

 

[63bkpkr]

So many sluices so ltttle time

I own a Keene A 52 as well as the Super Mini Bazooka gold trap and I'd still like to try out one of Angus's units especially the newest one with the variable riffle pattern.

The A 52 works but it will tear the side walls out of a standard 5 gallon bucket unless one is Always Careful while cleaning the unit out.

As has been stated concerning the Bazooka's they take a high flow of water to keep them working properly.

The A 52 will possibly allow the worst setup possible and still catch gold: wrong angle front to back, wrong angle left to right, too much water, too little water.

So now it should be just clear as mud which one to purchase. Get the Angus......................63bkpkr

This bucket is a touch over five gallons, is a paper recycle bucket and the A 52 goes all the way to the bottom of it without hurting the side walls. The 5 gallon bucket next to it has the side wall cracked as I got careless and pushed down on the sluice. Note the cross bars at the flare, only one is necessary as it gives you a very positive way to lift the unit out of the water without spilling everything or pulling your back. Once the flare is assembled to the rest of the sluice I fill the holes in the corners with a waterproof putty.

Here's the A 52 with the flare taken off for packing in. The basic backpack here is about 36" tall so yes the A 52 is a touch on the long side. That particular pack weighs a bit over 85 pounds for a two week stay. In the picture I've Just taken it off.

 

[vapourtrail]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I've made my decision. After hearing all of the positives of the Angus MacKirk sluices, I've watched videos and read tons of reviews, and I'm thinking of going for the Expedition. I know it's fairly long, but figure I could bungee it to my backpack somehow. I know it will have a bit of a learning curve for me as to making sure it is setup correctly, but for the speedy clean up benefits, it looks like the winner for me. When I go on my first (and subsequent) trips, I want to get set up and dig like a mad man all day if I can. The clean up of the cons I will do at home.
Thanks again.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Great choice, I didn't mention it before in this thread but I have the Expedition, it is a very nice size. I did cut notches in the top edge at the downstream end so it sit on a bucket easier when I rinse it to clean out so you might want to d that too. Great sluice, processes material quickly without demanding a lot of water flow

 

[mytimetoshine]

Great choice, I didn't mention it before in this thread but I have the Expedition, it is a very nice size. I did cut notches in the top edge at the downstream end so it sit on a bucket easier when I rinse it to clean out so you might want to d that too. Great sluice, processes material quickly without demanding a lot of water flow

Thanks for all the advice guys. I think I've made my decision. After hearing all of the positives of the Angus MacKirk sluices, I've watched videos and read tons of reviews, and I'm thinking of going for the Expedition. I know it's fairly long, but figure I could bungee it to my backpack somehow. I know it will have a bit of a learning curve for me as to making sure it is setup correctly, but for the speedy clean up benefits, it looks like the winner for me. When I go on my first (and subsequent) trips, I want to get set up and dig like a mad man all day if I can. The clean up of the cons I will do at home.
Thanks again.

Mine arrives tomorrow!! Whoot whoot!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Congrats! Now it's time to show us the gold!

 

[mytimetoshine]

Congrats! Now it's time to show us the gold!

Im gonna do my best too! Now if only i didnt have this pesky 50hr a week job getting in the way.