A small sluice box that with its small dimensions and light weight is perfect for prospecting, recycling and clean up system.
Components:
In addition to what is listed below, a plate for the sluice itself is needed which is approx. 178x600x1,5mm.
Alternative if you already have a sluice that is approximately 103 mm outside.
3D printed plastic details.
- 2 threaded rods of approx. 110mm
- 2pcs M6 wing nuts
- 2pcs M6 washers
- 24pcs M3x10mm countersunk screw
- 24pcs M3 washers
- 24pcs M3 nuts
- 2pcs Allen screws M6x40mm to attach the flare (they are not included in the picture)
4pcs 8mm aluminum rods for legs of suitable length (I made mine 50 cm)
Last but not least, some type of water connection to connect some typ of pump for recycling systems.
The thread is standard thread for water connection (at least here in Sweden), connection for 25 mm hose is included in the download file.
Manufacture of the sluice.
The brackets for the M6 nuts are drilled in as shown in picture, 13.5 mm from the center of the hole to the top edge of the sluice (only applies if the height of the sluice is 40 mm) and 21 mm in from the trailing edge.
I mounted the legs about 120 mm in from both the back and front edge, keep in mind that the brackets should sit with about 10 mm offset between the sides so that the legs should not collide on the top when you lower the sluice (see the picture when the sluice is in the creek) .
I have chosen to countersink the screws to get a smooth inside and be able to use plastic strips to easily hold the mats in place (remember to countersink the holes before you bend the sluice).
Bend the sluice according to the dimensions in the picture, I used 1.5 mm thick sheet. If you choose a different thickness, keep in mind that it is the outer dimensions of the gutter that are crucial for the fit against the printed details.
The finished sluice should look something like this when done.
Now its time to mount the plastic details, put in your favorite mat and go out there to collect the riches.
To keep the mats / inserts in place, I use 3 mm thick plexiglass strips that I attach with clips of this type: Binder clips on amazon
Other accessories.
As a pump I use a bilge pump that has a capacity of 32 l / min (approx: 500 GPH) of this type: Bilge pump on amazon
In order to fine-tune the water flow, I use a PVM controller that adjusts the pump speed between 0-100%. I don’t remember where I bought mine, but something like this should work great: DC PWM controller on amazon