Bucket float

[texan connection]

Makes a perfect float for water hunting, alot deeper than most floats , I used a 13" inner tube and it fits tight, Cut the bottom out of a bucket with a hand jig saw using the rim of the bucket as a guide. You could attach the screen any # of ways.

 

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[RON (PA)]

That is a great idea. All the the floats that I have seen have been much smaller (gold pan size). You can filter out a lot of stuff very quickly with your bucket. Thanks for sharing.

 

[texan connection]

I used to use a gold pan classifier, but it would tip easy, I belive you could use this in the surf pretty safely, Id get a white bucket though. I got the idea from a guy that uses one like this inside another bucket for dry land huntin.

 

[47thelement]

I've seen some heavy duty plastic screening at Southern States which can be attached with plastic gromits such as the type used in the automive industry.

 

[savant365]

When i go fishing I use 2-5 gallon buckets for bait, one inside the other. I just drilled a bunch of small holes in the bottom of one of the buckets instead of the mesh. I use that bucket for looking for fossils and artifacts also.

HH Charlie

 

[spartacus53]

I like this idea, but I think I would modify the bucket size and make it less deep. Thanks for posting this idea.

 

[extractor]

Exellent thinking, I like it!

 

[texan connection]

deffinetly after using it I recommend a shorter bucket for a little shallower water and a white bucket

 

[47thelement]

I got a 2 gallon white bucket and the plastic mesh screen. I'll be postin pics when I get it completed

 

[texan connection]

I havent tried plastic screen but my wire screen (1/4 inch) is starting to show some wear, after many hrs (probaly 100 hrs use , Im estimating). Love to see the pics. The good thing about the bucket is in sand I can just dump and go to the next target, let it sift naturaly. I check it every once in a while, I can cover more ground in a short time that way. If the bottoms a little to muddy Im not sure if im saving time or not as it takes while to shake out the mud.

 

[Marty-Graw]

this would also work in very trashy areas to hold bigger trash so you wouldnt have to make so many trips to the trash can

 

[TreasureHunters]

Great Idea!

 

[Functional]

As an alternative to both plastic (nylon) screen, or normal metal screen, you could ask around at any place that does repair, or servicing of semi trucks for used air filters. They wrap them in a sheet of perforated/drilled stainless steel. And the holes are spaced widely enough that you could drill them out some more if they're too small. I'm using the same material as a guard for the exhaust pipe on my bike. While I think of it, the exhaust guards they use on semi's are just thicker chromed steel, or stainless steel with larger holes in it. That might have some potential use for gold panners too.

F.

 

[boogeyman]

Back when I used to live close to the beach, I had a "float" made from 1" x 6" wood put together in a box with marine nails and stainles steel punch plate. Stretched a car inner tube around it. A piece of rope with a clip & a used belt. Used that one for over a year. Rebuilt it made a box inside a box with a couple of S/S hinges. This allowed me to just flip it without the hassle of flipping the whole float to get rid of shekks & rocks. Later added a snap hook to hang a divers goodie bag for the trash. The rebuild lasted another year or so, gave it to a buddy when I moved & he used it quite a while after that. Not bad for a rig that cost literally nothing.

 

[Tnmountains]

Was reading your post. Here is a bucket sifter I use for artifacts in the river. I used 1/4 mesh and drilled holes around it and wired in the mesh.
Good luck!
TnMtns

 

[Urban Grund]

Love the bucket float!