I am building my own Sluice! Im new to prospecting! HELP!

[Jonasbmw]

I Attended GPAA Show a few weeks ago. Long story short im building my own sluice box, 12x48 not including the feeder. I build the body with a few aluminum pieces. I got the minors moss, and v mat online, and a 1200 gph pump on its way.

Now i am struggling, i went to homedepot, and lowes, cant find the expanded metal sheet, i looked everywhere and cant find any that can work! all the ones they have are chicken wire kind.... So this is my first problem.

Another problem, i made the riffles out of a stock of aluminum, however, i am not a welder and i am on a budget on this project. I went and bought a weld like playd-o, so far it held, but does not look sturdy, or that it will hold. Any recommendations, what to use without welding, on the riffle tray?

Any advice or recommendation?

So far i spent $80 on this project. I want to keep it under $100.

Questions:

What size, expandable metal do i need to use, and where can i find it, low price?

Will a 1200 GPH pump be enough for this 12x48 sluice?

Any recommendations?


Thanks!

 

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[hvacker]

I'm guessing you want the expanded metal for a grizzly so it could be steel. If there is a company called Metal Supermarkets near by they deal in small lots and special orders. Home Depot does sell expanded metal for use with plaster. Called expanded lath but it's rather light weight. Maybe stacking several in a sandwich.
I know there is one that used to send me catalogs that sold only expanded metal of all kinds but there is a minimum order. Could try local welding shops.

 

[titan100]

If you used JB weld to hold your riffles in they should hold forever. I have used it to seal holes on a aluminum boat. Looks good so far. Good luck on your sluice.

 

[BosnMate]

I think I would have left the ends of the riffles long enough to bend and then either rivet or bolt them in place. The sluice will work without the expanded metal if you can't find any.
Years ago I built a wooden rocker box with just riffles, and it seemed to do OK, there might have been some really fine stuff get by, but I didn't have any mercury so didn't worry about it.