Anyone ever made or bought a Vortxrex Dryland Dredge Nozzle?

jvan

Full Member
Sep 30, 2014
149
201
Placerville, CA
Detector(s) used
Gold Hog Raptor Highbanker, Fisher Gold Bug 2, Fisher F70, Bazooka 36" Sniper, Gold Cube, Gold Vac Pac, Pans & Pans
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
I am looking at ways to move more dirt, Seams with help I can't get more than about 2-3 yards moved in a given 6-8 hour day of digging... Came across the Vortxrex Dryland Dredge Nozzle, Wanted to see if anyone ever made or bought a Vortxrex Dryland Dredge Nozzle? If so how well do they work?

I have already ordered a 2 inch Hydro Dry land nozzle that will be good all the way around to move dirt, but also looking for other options to add to my setup... Anyone?



 

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Yep I have one and I use it on my 4 in. dredge for the past 8 (?) years. it works great and Dave Frank sells info/prints on making one for yourself!
 

Currently, the use of any motorized vacuum or suction dredge equipment in any river, stream, or lake in California is prohibited by statute, as it has been since August 6, 2009. (Fish & G. Code, § 5653.1, subd. (b).)

Reading together Fish and Game Code sections 5653 and 5653.1, and CDFW’s definition, the use of any motorized device to directly vacuum or suction substrate, sediment, and gravel as part of a mining operation in any river, stream, or lake is currently prohibited in California. The use of any motorized vacuum or suction device to assist in the extraction of minerals as part of an instream mining operation is also prohibited. Likewise, it is unlawful to possess a vacuum or suction dredge in or within 100 yards of any river, stream, or lake. (See Id., § 5653, subd. (d).)


Careful! Watch your P's and Q's
 

Currently, the use of any motorized vacuum or suction dredge equipment in any river, stream, or lake in California is prohibited by statute, as it has been since August 6, 2009. (Fish & G. Code, § 5653.1, subd. (b).)

Reading together Fish and Game Code sections 5653 and 5653.1, and CDFW’s definition, the use of any motorized device to directly vacuum or suction substrate, sediment, and gravel as part of a mining operation in any river, stream, or lake is currently prohibited in California. The use of any motorized vacuum or suction device to assist in the extraction of minerals as part of an instream mining operation is also prohibited. Likewise, it is unlawful to possess a vacuum or suction dredge in or within 100 yards of any river, stream, or lake. (See Id., § 5653, subd. (d).)


Careful! Watch your P's and Q's

I am aware of this and within the law...
 

Im not worried ! I don't goto Cal. theres lots of other places to dredge closer to home!!
Thanks Russau, I just was wondering how well the nozzles work, sounds like they work well.. What kind of pump are you running with it?
 

I have never made OR bought one :) But I have used Dave's along with him and he used my son Abe when they were working together at an outing we had 10 years ago. It works great!
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Nice might order the kit one of these days..
 

Hey Jvan..... Did you get your nozzle yet? How is it working out. I am thinking of going the same route after they lift the moratorium so I have been keeping an eye on this thread.
 

Not yet but soon I will have it...
 

The kit Dave is selling over on ebay is very detailed and could be modified to what ever size device you want. all you would need to figure out is the orfice opening sizes. I made a "cute little " 2 incher for my light weight dredge but never got to use it up at bill_saf' location! and over the Winter (when Im up-n-round) I plan on making a 5 inch nozzle for a 5 inch subbie to try out! Why is it that when I feel the worst , I want to do the most?
 

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Just bought the CD's and templates on eBay. Technically, from what I've seen on youtube, it is probably a well thought out design winner. The only complaint I've got is the sound track... his voice is being overpowered by some lousy elevator background music. I would have done a newer, complete voice over on those tracks.
 

If by hydro dry land nozzel You mean the hydroforce I bought a HF250 and it works better than advertised. I am pleased with mine I dredged a 6x12 inch hole in my mud and gravel driveway in about 30 second before I sucked the horse trough dry, lol. That was with 20 feet of hose and a 3 foot lift on both suction and discharge ends. It had excellect suction and moved the material easily. I am very excited to put it full use in a creek somewhere. It's a shame I got new neighbors this year. I always planned to dredge the creek next to my place for practice, now I have the dredge but I also have neighbors for the first time ever.
 

If by hydro dry land nozzel You mean the hydroforce I bought a HF250 and it works better than advertised. I am pleased with mine I dredged a 6x12 inch hole in my mud and gravel driveway in about 30 second before I sucked the horse trough dry, lol. That was with 20 feet of hose and a 3 foot lift on both suction and discharge ends. It had excellect suction and moved the material easily. I am very excited to put it full use in a creek somewhere. It's a shame I got new neighbors this year. I always planned to dredge the creek next to my place for practice, now I have the dredge but I also have neighbors for the first time ever.

I'm glad the nozzle you bought is working for you. I'm still interested in the one you can build yourself.

Well, as for the move-ins, that certainly could complicate things unless you get them hooked! Here's to a new case of gold fever for the neighbors.

All the best, and I watched the videos on the Vortex and it does look very interesting,

Lanny
 

Does anyone know if Dave is still making these and/or still selling plans/kits on Ebay, like he used to?
I did a search on Ebay for 'Vortxrex dredge nozzle' and didn't get any hits.
Does Dave still check TNet on occasion? I would like to buy some plans.
Beav
 

Does anyone know if Dave is still making these and/or still selling plans/kits on Ebay, like he used to?
I did a search on Ebay for 'Vortxrex dredge nozzle' and didn't get any hits.
Does Dave still check TNet on occasion? I would like to buy some plans.
Beav

Yes -as of this writing- he still does make these plans/kits but I think his gold projects has taken back of his activities list, he's more into acting and singing than into (inventing) new toys for the gold miners :dontknow:

But you can still find his plans on this page:


Vortxrex Dryland Gold Dredge 4-inch Nozzle Instructions Patterns DVD Kit | eBay
 

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Just bought the CD's and templates on eBay. Technically, from what I've seen on youtube, it is probably a well thought out design winner. The only complaint I've got is the sound track... his voice is being overpowered by some lousy elevator background music. I would have done a newer, complete voice over on those tracks.

Yes the sound is horrible, I had to cover the audio from a radio that was playing. That video is now almost 20 years old, and the video was the actual build of the nozzles.
 

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