I don't go anywhere without my Garret Super Sluice .. But it seems you have it pretty covered there. If your mainly planning to backpack and explore rivers, you might consider a nice small sluice. I'd recommend one of the 3:

EzSluice
Angus MacKirk Sluice
Bazooka Style Sluice

Check around some of the facebook prospector trading groups, and there are also other online forums that have classifieds, as well as here for used mini sluices.

Thanks Ed. I've been carefully reading the threads concerning sluices and am seriously considering the smaller Bazooka. It's so... elegant in it's simplicity. Easy to use and empty out. It just makes sense. Those that are using them seem very satisfied and their cost, even for a new one, appears to be affordable.

If you are considering a sluice, keep it small, at least to start with
I use a 10"w X 36" with a gold hog style matting, threw away the carpeting and miners moss years ago
Yes it's small, depending on where you are prospecting, it's much easier to get into a creek, doesn't require a lot of water
My partners have larger sluices but want to use mine for ease of use
As the summer continues, water levels dwindle making sluicing difficult
Yes larger sluices are sexy and look macho but that's not what counts

Bill

Yes you need something else, even though a lot of the rest above is not necessary, go to your local hardware store and get some knee pads, that also cover your shins. Don't get the namby pamby soft ones that they sell at sporting good stores, but the kind that fit like hockey pads. They should be hard plastic and attach above and below the knee and extend almost all the way down to your ankles. If you are working a river you are going to be on your knees a lot and on really hard rocks. These are not a necessity but will make your dig so much more pleasant.

If you decide chest waders make sure you get gloves that go up above your elbow, and then take the finger tips and dip them in Plasti dip, it prevents the gloves from wearing out on the rocks.

Anybody can go out and pan and tuff it out, it's the small things we learn that make it easier that really help.

Posted By WILLIAM HALL on 28 Jun 2016 07:35 PM

If you are considering a sluice, keep it small, at least to start with

I use a 10"w X 36" with a gold hog style matting, threw away the carpeting and miners moss years ago

Yes it's small, depending on where you are prospecting, it's much easier to get into a creek, doesn't require a lot of water

My partners have larger sluices but want to use mine for ease of use

As the summer continues, water levels dwindle making sluicing difficult

Yes larger sluices are sexy and look macho but that's not what counts



Bill

Thanks Bill.

Been thinking about sluices and am seriously considering the Bazooka. But what I really wish is that someone would create a roll-up sluice made out of Silicone. It'd be tough and simple to create and use.  I got the idea for that when I saw a collapsible teakettle for camping. The top and bottom were metal with plastic fittings for the top and the body was pleated Silicone. A sluice made from that material would bounce into shape and could be rolled up. The top and bottom edges could be metal for increased rigidity. Anyone here want to invent that? I get a percentage for the idea!

Posted By Benjamin Crain on 28 Jun 2016 09:01 PM

Yes you need something else, even though a lot of the rest above is not necessary, go to your local hardware store and get some knee pads, that also cover your shins. Don't get the namby pamby soft ones that they sell at sporting good stores, but the kind that fit like hockey pads. They should be hard plastic and attach above and below the knee and extend almost all the way down to your ankles. If you are working a river you are going to be on your knees a lot and on really hard rocks. These are not a necessity but will make your dig so much more pleasant.



If you decide chest waders make sure you get gloves that go up above your elbow, and then take the finger tips and dip them in Plasti dip, it prevents the gloves from wearing out on the rocks.



Anybody can go out and pan and tuff it out, it's the small things we learn that make it easier that really help.

Great tips Benjamin!  For gloves, I was considering diving gloves. Knee pads are also an excellent idea and I noted when reviewing rock hounding in Nevada, their "for fee" opal mining suggested either those or a pad to kneel on. In running water, strap on knee pads would be necessary. Considering the Osteoarthritis I have issues with, any comfort tips are appreciated!  The Chisels are going in the mining kit more for rock hounding than gold panning, altho' the larger one would be handy for opening up rock crevices.

Dipping the fingertips is a great tip, especially for dive gloves, as stated the rocks will tear them up in just a few hours, same on wet suit knee pads, you paint it on
or use wet suit glue
Use glue on wet suit seems, helps keep the stitching from damage, used to do it every year
We did this in our dredging days

Truth is Mary, what works for me and my operation my not work for you and your operation
I work in small to medium creeks and small rivers, always wet unless I find something in high bench material, but rarely do I look for that
Use a small sluice box, hand dredges, hand tools, sieves, 2 1/2gal buckets
I/we don't fill our buckets full, as my partners call em billy buckets
When your my age, ya gotta pace yourself or your worthless the next day
Tried knee pads, a yard pad, but if ya don't tie them down they are gone down stream, I don't spend much time on my knees but again I work wet
Keep your mining kit fluid, meaning, it can and will change to the mining conditions you encounter
I use a large back pack that holds the sluice box, pans, sieves, hand tools, view tube, water/beers, sometimes my "little friend" if I'm in a populated area and not wearing him
If I'm hiking a distance, I'll tie my buckets on it

Trial and error, you'll figure out what works for you over time

Your idea of a "roll up sluice" has merit and potential, pursue that idea
With todays injection molding and silicone rubber, very possible
You keep the royalties

Bill

Posted By WILLIAM HALL on 29 Jun 2016 04:11 PM

  

Trial and error, you'll figure out what works for you over time



Your idea of a "roll up sluice" has merit and potential, pursue that idea

With todays injection molding and silicone rubber, very possible

You keep the royalties



Bill

I figure that my equipment will build and/or change over time with experience for sure.  Thanks Bill. Will have to check amazon for that plastic dip too, and that will be double handy for treating my Jewelry making tools so they don't dent the wire or charms when I'm making a piece. I think strap on knee padding would be the most practical, altho' I'm more likely to use a bucket for a chair. Hard to get on your knees with bad knees. Osteoarthritis and torn Meniscus'.

As for the roll up silicone rubber sluice, I think you and others can easily visualize what I have in mind and providing someone else does not run off with the idea, who would I go to/where to see that idea to fruition? Not sure I have the investment capitol tho' to run with it at this time? It would more or less be a riffled mat with high sides. I have silicone ice cube trays and that material is very durable.

On another note as to what one can use their gold for, India makes beads made from Camel and Water Buffalo bone. Aged properly with coffee or tea, that bone makes a lovely Ivory substitute. I got 6 nice small nuggets from commercial Paydirt (Yuba River) so can epoxy those to bone beads for making pendants. Eskimo style jewelry does that a lot.

Thanks!

Mary

okay good people

looking for some ideas here in Hillsboro n.mexico id like to find a sprirl wheel for ;lost gold in greyback here