Bazooka-ish Creation

R

rosej3570

Jr. Member
May 26, 2016
41
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Le Claire, IA
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All Treasure Hunting
So I just made this. Designed it and created the bend profiles. I want to run some flow analysis simulation on it, but for now, this is what I have. Yes there is tweaking and finishing to be done, but I think it is a good start.

Any thoughts? This is acrylic, but can be done in metal or ABS too.
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Am I very far off for never using a bazooka or held or seen one in person? These are mini's. I made a super mini, but my strip heater isn't long enough, so it won't t be finished until I can solve that problem. These are out of acrylic, I'm thinking about getting ABS to make one and heat weld it instead of solvent welding.

I changes the design from the blue one to the grey one. It uses less material, and I believe it is closer to the one everyone loves.

I am bending the deck to where the spray tubes are. This is for two reasons. First, ease of fabrication, one less loose part. Second, it will give the material a smooth ride into the trap.

One thing I don't know is the height of the entrance into the trap, versus the exit. It looks like it may be the same height, but I would think material could flow right out. Any input?

I'm still not sure of the configuration of the fluid tubes either. I want to make it so I can experiment with different hole sizes and layout, since I really don't know what they are supposed to look like.

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Beautiful work :icon_thumright:

The trap is a little short from front to back, less time for gold to settle in.
The opening and exit should be no more than 3/4"

Your tubes appear to be a larger size than what Bazooka used. Theirs were 1/2"

On my diy models I favor a slightly taller exit port due to the sluice going into the creek on a somewhat downhill angle although I do try to run it as level as possible.
I do not see a grizzly on yours. You will need one to keep the jambs down to a minimum.

Hole size and number as well as orientation is where it gets a little complicated. You want an even fluidization of the trap when it is full of dense material.
Holes too large and/or too many will reduce that ability. Dont go over 1/8" diameter or any closer than 1" apart. The total number of holes capable will depend upon flow.
Orientation of the holes in each tube is an important factor as well. Most tubes use two rows aimed downward at about a 45 degree angle.

The jury is still out on the perfect orientation. Here is what I favor from trial and error. Others omit the bottom holes to increase pressure.
I have also seen larger holes at the beginning of the tubes and smaller holes at the end in an attempt to even out the flow from end to end.

hole pattern.jpgfluidtubeholes.jpg


Go for the Gold
GG~
 

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Acrylic is not a good plastic to use. It will crack and break too easily. In the sun it will develop stress fractures and break at those points. Acrylic has a lot of water in it so as it dries out it cracks. It doesn't hold up to being banged around very well. Scratches easily and is brittle to start with and as time goes on becomes more so. Don't drop rocks on it, it will crack and break.

Acrylic is fun to fabricate with but isn't practical for anything related to mining.

There are other much better plastics to use that will hold up to what you are wanting to do.
 

I agree, that is why I will switch to ABS, but I have a lot of Acrylic laying around and I can use it in the laser I have without the awful smell ABS gives off. If I get the design down, I will cut the ABS on a CNC router to avoid that issue. Right now I am playing with the design, working out bugs etc.
 

Goodguy, thank you for the information. Below are the photos of what my dimensions are. I am using 1/2" PVC. The total length is 16". The flared end is 7.25" and the tank end is 4.25". The tank depth is about 1.5" x 2.75" long. I will be adding grizzly once I get the plastic construction sorted out.

It looks like I need to narrow up the opening and exit to the tank, not a problem. I am trying to get a good design down and simplify construction a little bit. I still don't know where I will be adding the beverage holder though. lol

End dimensions.jpg
Side Dimensions.jpg
 

Thumbs up on the beverage holder!
 

If it were made of aluminum it would transfer the cold even better.:icon_thumright:
Think I'll make one for my sluice.
It'll be a conversation starter at outings. :tongue3:

GG~
 

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rosej3570 said:
It holds to beverages.

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I was going to write that the beverage holder goes on the side, in the water, to keep the beverage cold. Also, keep it away from the end where you toss the dirt, to keep beverage top clean. You already did that, so it doesn't look like you need much help. However, as Goodyguy mentioned, I think a longer trap is good (also moves beverage holder further from the dirt. :)
 

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