How to make my own mesh classifier?

[Joel1316]

I want to make my own classifier. I have a concrete mixing tub, now I want to build a classifer that will fit midway in the tub. That way I can shovel in dirt, shake the classifier and toss the large rocks.
Where can I find the mesh? What do I ask for at the local hardware store?
How should I create the frame (I don't want to re-invent the while, not unless I really need to)?

 

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[roymonster]

Small ironing tables are also nice classifiers ~$3 at the thrift...

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=674863"/>

Yes! That ironing board looking thing that's inside the bucket that looks like right type of material to use that will catch gold nugs perfect, And also for minors moss listen up people, if you look at that air filters that go into your forced air heaters, they have them in Home Depot n other stores. no, that stuff cut down to size some of them are just like miners moss! Looks like a bunch of wrapped up tangled spaghetti but it's plastic! Our heater size is 14" x 24" long. It's very workable , You can cut it in half and put two slices longways together any sluice as long as it's the right material it'll work perfect. And there's your miners moss!

Just my ¢.02 For free.

 

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[roymonster]

I use a plastic milk crate. The ones with squares at the bottom work better than the diamond bottom.

Find an old oven rack! now you're talking about a nice half inch three-quarter inch classifier on top of the mesh which is on top of the minors moss.
it's just a sandwich of material that catches the heaviest metal! It doesn't have to be absolutely 110% perfect just don't classify into anything but something clean like a bucket or like a concrete mixing tub the black they sell them at Home Depot to. Just don't lose any gold that you're trying to catch. I hope this makes sense I'm terrible at doing all this explaining it by typing actually talking my txt (I have an iPhone 4 GS) but, go to YouTube and look up "DIY sluice boxes" you will find NUMEROUS WAYS & things that you would never thought to use! It's not that hard.
I wish I could have someone that was interested enough in gold sluicing with me to help me out and have a project going together to build a sluice box. I love metal detecting but I like raw gold a little bit better. Lol
I wish you the best of luck and I really wish I could be there with you to help you out man that would be a lot of fun.
-roymonster

 

[roymonster]

I use a "bag" made out of heavy duty plastic mesh that used to be on a minnow bucket. It holds about 3 shovel loads and is stitched together with zip ties and poly cord - I use it in a tall rubbermaid storage tote as it is much deeper than a mixing trough

It is light, takes heavy abuse and takes up very little space when rolled or folded. I keep extra cord & ties with me expecting it to break, but have never needed them.

the mesh/netting is sold by the foot in marine shops & small hardware stores, but I doubt any of these places have websites so here is a link for the same stuff on a pond site where they sell 50' rolls. (I'm sure you can find it sold by the foot locally.)

Look halfway down the page under "Heavy Duty Plastic Netting": Pond net, water garden nets, fish netting, bird netting, seine net, black nylon netting

Don't take offense, but the nets WILL stretch. Gold will go through you'll lose it, it's GOT to be metal or a really solid strong plastic. And the diamonds in the mesh should go side by side, (the length of the diamond shaped holes.)

 

[roymonster]

A better view of the gold catching mesh.

 

[Joel1316]

I use a plastic milk crate. The ones with squares at the bottom work better than the diamond bottom.

That's a great idea! Rugged and can take a beating!

And doubles as a chair too

 

[Rob in KS]

Great ideas guys! Roy Monster got me to thinking....
I have an OLD furnace. The filter is different than modern furnaces. There is a wire "cage / rack" that the filter material is stretched over. When it got too torn up, I bought a roll of the material from a HVAC supply company. It's 3 feet wide and about 10 feet long and about 1/2" thick. It's been a while, so I don't remember what it costs, probably not much. It's made by Glassfloss. Here's a link to some stuff that might work.

http://www.glasfloss.com/uploads/pdfs/pbm.pdf

 

[KevinInColorado]

Any hints on where to find an old (or new) fryer basket?

 

[Joel1316]

Built my first home made classifier last night. Built a bucket classifier instead of my planned "large" classifier, for now. This guy has a neat idea. Cost me less than $5.00 and took less than an hour to build (first one).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvVnu6-Ivg8

 

[chroniefind]

Mesh can be found in several appliances as well as a lot of local hardware stores and junk yards or yard sales. I came across some at a local garage sale, the guy had cut pieces out of a roll, but actually had a lot of the roll left intact, so I paid him about 10 bucks and walked away with around 95' x 48" of stainless steel material - figured I could scrap it for more money if it came down to it. Anyways, I am pretty sure it is about a 6 x 6 wire mesh - measured from here Custom Wire Cloth - Belleville Wire Cloth Co - Cedar Grove, NJ - would you guys think this is the right size mesh to do the job?

 

[Navy Guy]

Try rabbit pen wire. It comes in many sizes and you can find it in the fencing department at Lowes, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware.

 

[calisdad]

1- Kevin, try a thrift shop.
2- That was a great idea on YouTube so I made one. BUT it doesn't stack. Doesn't even fit in another bucket, so If you make one use the bottom of the bucket not the top. Great classifier all by itself tho.

 

[jcazgoldchaser]

Any hints on where to find an old (or new) fryer basket?

Google 'restaurant supplies Centennial, Colorado'

Fryer Baskets | Restaurant Equipment & Supplies at FSW

$9.30


Fryer screen $2.69


12" basket $7.60


I have to be verrry careful at the thriftstore. The time to clean up something and they price it very near the restaurant supply price, I could have simply bought a new one.

Bucket classifier,... Cut 1" holes all over the bottom of a 5gal bucket. Drop in one of these (feet side up).. $7


and finer $4.60


Pizza disk $3


another, larger holes $3



You guys thinking outside the box yet?

$12


Steam table pans $12


And look up 'lug tub' or 'bus tub' instead of the mortar box

$24 11" x 19" x 26"

 

[KevinInColorado]

Thanks jcas, now I am feeling embarrassed that I didn't just google it instead of asking --duh! Anyway, you are kind to guide us :-)

 

[PYRATE]

Don't take offense, but the nets WILL stretch. Gold will go through you'll lose it, it's GOT to be metal or a really solid strong plastic. And the diamonds in the mesh should go side by side, (the length of the diamond shaped holes.)

No offense taken and I agree that the plastic mesh doesn't belong in a sluice

I think you may have posted in the wrong thread - this one is about making a classifier for use in a concrete mixing tub

 

[Joel1316]

1- Kevin, try a thrift shop.
2- That was a great idea on YouTube so I made one. BUT it doesn't stack. Doesn't even fit in another bucket, so If you make one use the bottom of the bucket not the top. Great classifier all by itself tho.

My classifier was just barely able to nest into another bucket, but I assume once its jammed in, its going to be stuck. I used 1/4" hardware cloth (very stiff) and it caused the classifier to be out of shape. I'm going to try 1/8" which is not as stiff and maynot throw the bucket out of shape.

 

[Rawhide]

Small ironing tables are also nice classifiers ~$3 at the thrift...

View attachment 674863

Gold chaser, you been in my shed again? Thats what I was gonna suggest. I get everything down to a 1/4 inch then bring my samples home. Sounds like he is working hard rock, too much work for me. Im a old man, and if I cant do it with a 5 gallon bucket, it dont get done. Everything I do is done in a 5 gallon bucket. Except for panning, have a drum cut in half for that. You can use a heavy duty grate at site, prop it up against a rock and shovel, shovel out the smaller dirt for your wash pan from underneath. You can get collanders for a buck at the dollar store. I use a dish drainer right now if IM working a creek. Its plastic, when it breaks, Ill find something else. Guess what Im saying, is do it cheap, or look pretty. My wife is happy I can get by with a thrift store colander. Il'll say it again, all ya need is a shovel, a 5 gallon bucket, and a pan.

 

[calisdad]

My classifier was just barely able to nest into another bucket, but I assume once its jammed in, its going to be stuck. I used 1/4" hardware cloth (very stiff) and it caused the classifier to be out of shape. I'm going to try 1/8" which is not as stiff and maynot throw the bucket out of shape.

You know, It should have fit and was out of shape a bit. Maybe if I had cut it closer to the bottom as using the bottom as I said before is too small and will fall right in.

 

[jcazgoldchaser]

Nother thrift store find today



16-7/8" x 20-3/4" x 3-1/4" h They're $17. I couldn't leave it for $4.

They have bigger ones too



Found those images at: The Container Store > Platinum elfa Mesh Drawers

 

[KevinInColorado]

I saw those at the store when shopping with my daughter and immediately thought "classifier!". Not sure they would last very long tho...love to hear how one holds up...

 

[Joel1316]

You know, It should have fit and was out of shape a bit. Maybe if I had cut it closer to the bottom as using the bottom as I said before is too small and will fall right in.

Went to Lowe's and found a 2.5 gallon bucket. Its able to nest into a 5 gallong bucket, but tapers faster to have more room when inserted into a 5 gallon bucket. I have the bucket, will cut it up this weekend and see how well it works...