minerdude

i remember when you were there.

 Steve, Oh, How well I remember those days. Packing down and climbing into the canyon,suit up , dredge 3-4hours,change into dry clothes ,then climb out and trek back uphill to the parking lot,,, The good note is we were in  really good shape after about a month of this . Wish I still had some of that gold left, but lots of good memories and stories to tell when I am no longer able. This summer, adding to my bucket list ,dredging in the Wiseman area on river claims....

In question, Did it go thru  the  public process? A few years ago they tried to implement  other rules w/o public comment and process .  just saying.

well we are just melting here Spring dredging to begin

 Send a PM when you return from Hawaii. I see possible problems with the intake to the 2" in classification so as not to clog up as it necks into the 2" ,but you will be experimenting with that ,you will be only interested in fines at that point so maybe just a bigger punch plate ? Keep it in mind. The bigger gold should never get that far. .I see you have a blaster "Y", we have been using them in clay and bedrock to increase production for fines. We will not dredge without one. We have found that the blaster helps remove the  bedrock by clearing the cracks with less effort...plus it breaks the gold from the clay. Enjoy the sun.. See you when you get back.

   I would like to see them both the  6" for sure. I will be in Anchorage this Monday. Maybe we can get together. We tend to dredge in way faster water than most, so flotation for us is a must and also the drag factor   We have changed the blue hoses to the power jet to a black hose with spiral metal, As the blue hose is not really a pressure hose.  They tend to start out as a tiny leak, next thing you have a sprinkler system and duct tape begins. The hose is not as floppy in the water and can be formed in a smaller radius up to the pump. The two hoses can form a rams head .And it lasts longer and is way cheaper to replace if need be. We have not had any leaks yet in two years.

     I know the 6" subbie  can be powered with an 8hp motor pump using a" y" pipe splitter like Daulke did for the dual power jet. Since the 6" tube was so long you can put the power jet right on the intake . Most of the time the dual motors do not need to run full throttle..

I built one about 10 years ago , they work good, if you  glue a  bubble level to the top of the sluice and,keep it level. I see you are able to adjust the box, up or down that is a must.. The spacing between the bars seem to far apart( they look like 1", we had ours at about 3/4" center to center If my memory serves me. Most of the gold will be in the first 3 riffles if level . I also built a 6" subbie as you call it (like the name") and ran it with 2- 6.5 Hondas with a power jet, not a nozzle. I wish to this day I had kept it, but sold it to a friend of mine who used it to make a living with it for a few years. Your frame and floats, are they from a full size 4" or did you get the smaller floats? I used my 6" in about 12 ft of water. You do need good floatation for that I used a 6" floats.

Why are you waiting Steve? Great spring time weather here this season.Been in the water already.clear and low.. Hope to visit in Chicken...

Dredging time...is upon us!!

Ok Ok ! Time to get back in the water for me with all these stories on dredging,spring time dredging soon to begin...wahoooo...

To bring out luster from gold treated with acid, we use what the Old Timers used and that is salt and vinegar, put In a jar or container and shake gently, then rinse with water, if shiny enough use, just plain old liquid Dawn dish soap and rinse.....Good cleaning..

How all is well in your retired world. Glad to see the new forum.I am going to devote alot more of my time to my mining worldas I transition in to early retirement.Hope to see you this next year...