daveggs
David
Hi Guys,
I have been interested in gold prospecting (and gems) since I was a kid, but like my interest in fishing, I rarely got a chance worth a second look.
When I was a young teenager, I managed to go along with a friend and his family up to Nundle for a few days. His dad took us to a spot to pan. It was a small creek with very steep rock forming the opposite bank, at the base of which was a vein of quartz about 4 inches thick (containing many bright yellow spots in it). We were only there for about an hour, but all left with some colours panned from the creek bed. Have been back to that area twice as an adult, but never found a spot that even vaguely resembled what I recall ... Still, I have never lost interest (although I did put it on the back burner for decades).
Finally started my prospecting hobby about 3 years ago (January 2011) and has been mainly focused around the upper Shoalhaven River.
Built my first sluice (Mk1: river sluice) towards the end of my first year of prospecting (it failed miserably, disintegrating under load).
My second attempt (Mk2: with pump) was built in 2012 and based on half a wheelie bin (worked OK, but was really quite fickle).
My third attempt (Mk3: high banker) was built in 2013 using aluminium checker plate for the body (2 x 1m lengths, which bolt together solidly). It uses an overhead feeder system with a 'jam-proof' classifier built in. Works great under load, self cleans really well too ... but I have not finished with it yet ...
There are 3 main issues, all of which are due to be solved in my next round of mods and testing.
The main issue is based on optimizing the catchment and cleanup methods within the sluice itself.
The minor issue has been leg design. Mk3 used a very close fitting tube with PVC piping through it (that jammed up permanently with sand last time).
The medium issue is about portability. Mk3 has proven fairly bulky and awkward to transport on location.
NOW -- I BELIEVE IN GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE ... So here's to Wal ... I recently came across Wal's video on building a high banker that works -- he has brilliantly solved both my minor and medium issues (should be easy to implement a version of those legs and back pack setup). I already had a number of ideas to test in optimizing the catchment and cleanup methods, but I will now be including several variations based on Wal's excellent designs in that regard.
2014 should be an interesting year!
Cheers,
Dave
I have been interested in gold prospecting (and gems) since I was a kid, but like my interest in fishing, I rarely got a chance worth a second look.
When I was a young teenager, I managed to go along with a friend and his family up to Nundle for a few days. His dad took us to a spot to pan. It was a small creek with very steep rock forming the opposite bank, at the base of which was a vein of quartz about 4 inches thick (containing many bright yellow spots in it). We were only there for about an hour, but all left with some colours panned from the creek bed. Have been back to that area twice as an adult, but never found a spot that even vaguely resembled what I recall ... Still, I have never lost interest (although I did put it on the back burner for decades).
Finally started my prospecting hobby about 3 years ago (January 2011) and has been mainly focused around the upper Shoalhaven River.
Built my first sluice (Mk1: river sluice) towards the end of my first year of prospecting (it failed miserably, disintegrating under load).
My second attempt (Mk2: with pump) was built in 2012 and based on half a wheelie bin (worked OK, but was really quite fickle).
My third attempt (Mk3: high banker) was built in 2013 using aluminium checker plate for the body (2 x 1m lengths, which bolt together solidly). It uses an overhead feeder system with a 'jam-proof' classifier built in. Works great under load, self cleans really well too ... but I have not finished with it yet ...
There are 3 main issues, all of which are due to be solved in my next round of mods and testing.
The main issue is based on optimizing the catchment and cleanup methods within the sluice itself.
The minor issue has been leg design. Mk3 used a very close fitting tube with PVC piping through it (that jammed up permanently with sand last time).
The medium issue is about portability. Mk3 has proven fairly bulky and awkward to transport on location.
NOW -- I BELIEVE IN GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE ... So here's to Wal ... I recently came across Wal's video on building a high banker that works -- he has brilliantly solved both my minor and medium issues (should be easy to implement a version of those legs and back pack setup). I already had a number of ideas to test in optimizing the catchment and cleanup methods, but I will now be including several variations based on Wal's excellent designs in that regard.
2014 should be an interesting year!
Cheers,
Dave
