WHICH TYPE OF MATTING SHOULD I USE?

[Frank D.]

I built an 8"x32" sluice, and it is only going to be used to run superfine material after crushed with my rock crusher and screened down. What would be the best type matting to use for super fine crushed ore to maximize my concentrate recovery? Thanks, Jay

 

[panningjack]

Vortex mat (rough top conveyor belt)

 

[Rebel73153]

If i were just running Super Fine material i wouldn't use any matting. I would build or buy a Millers Table to use. In fact, i built one to use for Fine material clean up. So have a lot of others.

 

[Frank D.]

Hey panningjack, I'm gonna look into getting some of that stuff. Hey Rebel73153, I do have a slate tabe that is almost done. Maybe I'll give that a shot. Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated! Jay

 

[panningjack]

Hey panningjack, I'm gonna look into getting some of that stuff. Hey Rebel73153, I do have a slate tabe that is almost done. Maybe I'll give that a shot. Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated! Jay

I got a 24"x72" piece for $56

 

[Goodyguy]

You may want to try using the vortex first then run the concentrates that are retained in the vortex on the miller table.
That way your water will stay much cleaner on the miller table. I assume you will be recirculating the water.


GG~

 

[Frank D.]

Thanks Goodguy...The info. you gave is exactly what I plan to do because the water is recirculating, and I did give the tabe a try a couple months ago, and thats what happened. My slate table is currently undergoing some improvement on the water flow. I didn't like the spray bar I made, so am currently trying to muster up a contraption that works better for water flow. I plan on getting vortex matting that is the same size as my slate table, and using it as an insert to my slate table. Then once I run a good amount, carefully take the matting out, clean it, and use the slate surface after I classify the concentrates. I just hope that I'm carefull enough to not scratch the slate surface. If I do, I am wondering if maybe an 800 grit wet sandpaper would be ok to refine the slate surface again.

 

[golden sluice]

If you are a traditionalist, I suggest the greek sheeps wool. Jason wanted the golden fleece. But seriously any type of medium with a riffle ridge will suffice. I like marine mat for fine gold catching. Check out gold hogs selections. Doc has some greatdesigns made up for catching gold. Git the gold!u

 

[Frank D.]

Thanks golden sluice, I'll do that. Gonna google them now

 

[kevin1]

You may also want to consider adding deep V matting, it's cheap, and does a good job on catching the fine stuff. On part of the slick plate perhaps?

 

[Doug Watson]

We've found that on the fine gold on our beaches that deep v works better than the vortex matting.

 

[Goodyguy]

We've found that on the fine gold on our beaches that deep v works better than the vortex matting.

Doug,
Did you try running the vortex mat sluice at a 15 degree angle? (2" to the foot of sluice) That's the magic angle for vortex mat.

Not knocking deep v cause I use it too. Great stuff.

GG~

 

[mike(swWash)]

Doug,
Did you try running the vortex mat sluice at a 15 degree angle? (2" to the foot of sluice) That's the magic angle for vortex mat.

Not knocking deep v cause I use it too. Great stuff.

GG~

I will never discount any of GG's info, he's way more experienced than I am.

Here's my 2 cent's worth of numbers, my Cube has a 12" wide mat and came with an 1100gph pump running at a 20 degree angle. I use this as my starting point since Doc and co. did mucho research to find the best fit. However, 12" Vortex mat has a minimum gph of 800 and max of 1800 before it loses it's magic, so understand your mileage may vary, no warrantee is implied nor given, all figures are estimates and not guaranteed, no returns unless authorized by someone higher ranking than myself.

 

[Goodyguy]

I will never discount any of GG's info, he's way more experienced than I am.

Here's my 2 cent's worth of numbers, my Cube has a 12" wide mat and came with an 1100gph pump running at a 20 degree angle. I use this as my starting point since Doc and co. did mucho research to find the best fit. However, 12" Vortex mat has a minimum gph of 800 and max of 1800 before it loses it's magic, so understand your mileage may vary, no warrantee is implied nor given, all figures are estimates and not guaranteed, no returns unless authorized by someone higher ranking than myself.

* If you were referring to the Gold Cube, I think you'll find that the trays are actually set at the magic 15 degree angle.
And to my knowledge Doc of Gold Hog fame had nothing to do with the design. That would be Mike Pung and Steve Wilcox.



Although Doc did produce a video where he demonstrates the effectiveness of the gold cube and he also uses one to test the gold loss of his mats. Plus Doc has an arrangement whereby he advertizes the Cube on his website and makes a commission for referral sales.

http://www.goldhog.com/gold_cube_concentrator.htm

GG~

 

[mike(swWash)]

You are very correct GG about Doc and Mike's relationship.
Next time I set up my cube I'll have to check the angle again. Last time I used it my angle gauge showed 20* when I thought I set it up level.....you're probably right, I didn't check until after making a run with it and it probably settled on one end some.

 

[Doug Watson]

Goodguy, in devolping our super concentrator (beach Box) I've tried just about every angle and combination of materials I could and for the gold we're catching on our beaches I ended up with deep v and drop riffles that are sized and spaced to create a low pressure area just below the drops that drop the gold on the deep v mat. I've tried vortex, carpet, various matts, expanded metal, no matting, different size and style drop riffles, ramped riffles, and a lot of other textures and combinations. By doing our own vacuumforming I've been able to really experiment and I've got over 40 years of messing around with this fine beach gold. Most of our beach miners are moving away from vortex and going to deep v.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Goodguy, in devolping our super concentrator (beach Box) I've tried just about every angle and combination of materials I could and for the gold we're catching on our beaches I ended up with deep v and drop riffles that are sized and spaced to create a low pressure area just below the drops that drop the gold on the deep v mat. I've tried vortex, carpet, various matts, expanded metal, no matting, different size and style drop riffles, ramped riffles, and a lot of other textures and combinations. By doing our own vacuumforming I've been able to really experiment and I've got over 40 years of messing around with this fine beach gold. Most of our beach miners are moving away from vortex and going to deep v.

Doug, have you tried any fluid bed based approaches? If so, how has that worked out?

 

[Doug Watson]

Kevin, I've not spent enough time on the fluid bed approach. The material we're dealing with here is solid black sand and the gold is so close to the same weight the little that I did experiment the sand would either pack up or the gold would blow out but is something that I'd like to spend more time on. Right now we're getting really good recovery and the grass, seaweed, rocks, broken shells, bird feathers, etc. just go right through the sluice without any issues so that's where my concentration has been lately.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Ok gotcha, interesting, thanks!

 

[Goodyguy]

Goodguy, in devolping our super concentrator (beach Box) I've tried just about every angle and combination of materials I could and for the gold we're catching on our beaches I ended up with deep v and drop riffles that are sized and spaced to create a low pressure area just below the drops that drop the gold on the deep v mat. I've tried vortex, carpet, various matts, expanded metal, no matting, different size and style drop riffles, ramped riffles, and a lot of other textures and combinations. By doing our own vacuumforming I've been able to really experiment and I've got over 40 years of messing around with this fine beach gold. Most of our beach miners are moving away from vortex and going to deep v.

Great info!

I'll definitely take your tested methods to heart and be sure and use deep V mat combined with drop riffles whenever I do any beach mining for fine gold.

What gpm and angle seems to work best for you along with what size drop riffle?
Also I am assuming that the vortex mat is the second choice behind deep V, is that correct?

There are many sandy areas along certain creeks here in Indiana that contain fine gold that I would like to try your system out on.
Pickin's are slim here and every speck counts. Up to now I've had great success with my folded vortex gate trap sluice but I'm always up for learning new approaches and techniques.


Thanks in advance,
GG~