The vortex matting is nearly identical to the Gold Stopper Matting that Martin Prospecting sells. Todd Martin is a strong supporter of GPAA and LDMA and has a great mining shop in Inman, SC, not far off of I20.

Google Martin Prospecting or MJ Coins in Inman, SC.

 

Tammy (Crisson Gold Mine) in Dahlonega, GA also sells the vortex matting and all types of gold hog mats as well.

 Both Crisson and Martin Prospecting are the go to suppliers for me.

 

Regards!

Couldn't help but stop by here and see how your progress is going. Any updates Sam, just curious?

McMaster Carr sells conveyor matting almost identical, I built my own multi layer (4) sluice like that.

Another company I use for materials is Onlinemetals.com.

For what it's worth, in years past I've built my own stuff, and also bought cheap stuff that looked like what I really wanted. Both got me into the streams and some color, but I've learned they're only temporary fixes. Now, I have Garrett gold pans, a Keene sluice, a Gold Hog high banker, and a Gold Cube. All my handmade stuff is gone. In my experience, the brand name stuff is much higher quality, more durable, and gets better results. They're better built, better engineered, and supported by the manufacturers. I had assembled a small dredge by myself, and discouraged with the results (my sluice system wasn't ever right on) and next time around I'll get the attachment for the Gold Hog and run it through their tested and proven sluice system.

My guess is, all of us have started out mining about the same.
More time and energy than $$$
Over time that seems to change along with more education on how, where and with the gear that works.
Dont get me wrong, I will stand and look at my Keene sluice and try to figure how to make it better, truth is they have many hours of R&D than I will ever have.
Same for most manufacturers.
Save $$$, maybe, loosing gold, very probable, knowledge and understanding, PRICELESS.

Mine on.
Merry Christmas,

Bill

Been an LDMA/GPAA member for many years. Unfortunately for me I don’t live in a gold barring area, Eastern MO. I mixed emotions regarding self made equipment. I do agree with the last two posters in the fact that the big boys build good equipment and it works probably better, and lighter weight than we can build ourselves unless you have a lot of fabrication equipment available for use. But I also commend the prospector who wants to try and build their own equipment. Nothing wrong with this. If building your own gets you out prospecting sooner then do what works.

David,

I'm assuming the MO is for Missouri, not Montana.  I have seen something online but am not sure where - - may have been Youtube.  Someone is mining in western Missouri north of Kansas City about 30 miles on Clear Creek.  I think I remember it is on state land or state park or something similar.  Not sure how much gold has been found there, but it is probably ancient glacier till.

 

Wayne

I remember back in the day when I first started mining. I got my first flash in the pan in Chicken Alaska and went equipment nuts immediately afterwards. There were simple things to buy like gold pans, snuffer bottles etc. but I wanted more gold faster than a pan could produce. Natural step would be buy big stuff. Then you have to justify it and settle for trying to make it. So I did, everything from sluice boxes, to cake pan bluebowls. I quickly found out though, although gold is pretty heavy, it's tough to get it to hold still. And until Red and I invented the Gold Cube (took a couple years) it was obvious that the market equipment worked better than we could make. All the brain damage had already occurred, all the tests, tried and failed and the hours and dollars already spent. Boy oh boy did Red and I find that out! We summed it up as "we passed a few brain stones".
All that being said, I ask everyone to consider one thing. Please be considerate of the innovators, inventors and manufacturer of ALL the equipment on the market. They have done the hard part for you and are trying to make a living in an age where us miners are the bad guys. I have watched so many Mom and Pop shops close down. I have watched good equipment become unavailable do to economics. It's a tough, small industry and I for one appreciate each and every one of you. Your enthusiasm, abilities and creativity. I hope you can come up with the next big idea. So, keep on the gold and offer the experience to someone new. You could change their lives! Happy New Year