My Gold And Sand Hand Dredge Review

[mytimetoshine]

Disappointed....Im sure some was user error but I was not able to get material the way I thought I would be able to. It is very awkward to handle all the way around. The bucket always wants to float away. There needs to be a handle of some sort on the base of the pump to give you a stronger pumping action. Or at least make easier to carry. The hose can be wound up to fit in the small bucket with the accessories. The lid wont go on but I can toss it inside of my 5g bucket and its no big deal, but the pump itself could use something. BGT,5g bucket, Pump, and Shovel is a bit much to carry at once, a handle would help.
My main reason for disappointment was the amount of material I was actually getting... There was plenty of dirt and small gravel where I was pumping but it seemed like only water was going thru the hose. I would think ok, it has to be nearly full by now. Dump the water out....and it would barely have anything maybe a 3rd full was the best I did. Both custom nozzles would get a rock stuck in it literally every 10 seconds.... I had to cut my losses after basically wasting an hour and go with my trusty shovel. I figured the bucket would fill up in 10-20 pumps.?was i doing something wrong?

 

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[Goldwasher]

man some people are harsh in their reviews. Coincidentally I borrowed one ..We used it to clean out the low sumphole spot we cleared to bedrock and was filling with water.I also used it to clear material from under a boulder in a hole . It moved material and water out of our way easy and into the bucket. We dont use it to dig or produce but, when we needed it sure worked for us. We got gold with it. Not everything is foolproof I guess.

 

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[Reed Lukens]

Build Your own - Here's the link for the plans like the one that I built, I ended up making a better seal with a car wash towel but it works great.
http://web.archive.org/web/20061018...&forum=181&topic_id=55041&mesg_id=55041&page=
Then here's the video that I made showing my set up and how to build it.

 

[meMiner]

It should work better than described. I suggest you do some trouble shooting before scrapping it.

I have not used that particular brand, but most function about the same. The advise in this thread has been good, but maybe take it a step at a time. For sure, if you have a leather seal, put it into water for a day. Also, make sure there is no air leak at any of the joints. Make sure it is not clogged with rocks somewhere, including the tip of the nozzle and the hose to the bucket. Confirm the check valve can close completely. Sometimes people put a screw into the check valve flap to give it extra weight to help it close. Make sure you are pulling the pump handle to the top, so you dirt is taken above the check valve. That is about it; not rocket science. Darn thing should suck up sand and small rocks (and gold). If you are getting clogs, you can put a post through the nozzle (a bolt), which will limit the size of the rocks (flat ones seem to be the worst). If you do this, keep an eye on the tip because they will jam there too - a small slot screwdriver is handy to clean them out.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Two additional things: be sure the output valve is oriented correctly (this is mentioned in the instructions but people forget) and second, remember this is a dredge just like a powered dredge ...don't hog the nozzle! You should be pulling 4-5X as much water as paydirt...if you just jam the nozzle straight into the paydirt, nothing good will happen.

 

[ebuyc]

Valve upgrade will help tremendously!

Well the main problem with the Gold-n-sand suckers are the check valves. They have a 1/4" gap around the raised seat of the check valve and the rocks go straight to it! then the valve refuses to shut properly and everything fails after that. Get rid of it or replace the check valves. You can buy clear PVC check valves that don't have that raised seat in them. Then you can see when it is messing up and you can see the orientation of the swing valve hinge which is also important. The hinges have to be ABOVE the material going through them… So if you set the unit up to KEEP the hose on the left side, the moment you try to use it with the hose on the right side the material will not allow the swing valve to close.

I think that is your number one issue with the device. You have to be aware what the orientation of the swing type check valve and you have to know when it is jambs up. The unit is not meant to move a lot of material just clean out your bedrock crevices underwater… but you can actually move quite a bit of material with one.

I highly recommend the clear PVC Valterra valves for this application:



You have to be careful of the swing and spring combo valves - many of them have a raised valve seat like the stock Gold-n-Sand valves.

Now as far as usefulness of these devices, usually only used to clean the bottom of holes and bedrock crevices… usually!

Bedrock Bob is taking the hand dredge bedrock sniping to a production level lol!

Meet the bottom feeder:


Read more here: Bedrock or Bust - Gold Prospecting in Idaho: The Bottom Feeder

For places with exposed bedrock and where only non-motorized tools are allowed...

My 2 bits...

 

[Oregon Viking]

Well the main problem with the Gold-n-sand suckers are the check valves. They have a 1/4" gap around the raised seat of the check valve and the rocks go straight to it! then the valve refuses to shut properly and everything fails after that. Get rid of it or replace the check valves. You can buy clear PVC check valves that don't have that raised seat in them. Then you can see when it is messing up and you can see the orientation of the swing valve hinge which is also important. The hinges have to be ABOVE the material going through them… So if you set the unit up to KEEP the hose on the left side, the moment you try to use it with the hose on the right side the material will not allow the swing valve to close.

I think that is your number one issue with the device. You have to be aware what the orientation of the swing type check valve and you have to know when it is jambs up. The unit is not meant to move a lot of material just clean out your bedrock crevices underwater… but you can actually move quite a bit of material with one.

I highly recommend the clear PVC Valterra valves for this application:

View attachment 1139591

You have to be careful of the swing and spring combo valves - many of them have a raised valve seat like the stock Gold-n-Sand valves.

Now as far as usefulness of these devices, usually only used to clean the bottom of holes and bedrock crevices… usually!

Bedrock Bob is taking the hand dredge bedrock sniping to a production level lol!

Meet the bottom feeder:
View attachment 1139592

Read more here: Bedrock or Bust - Gold Prospecting in Idaho: The Bottom Feeder

For places with exposed bedrock and where only non-motorized tools are allowed...

My 2 bits...

Good info, I like that "bottom feeder". Also Gold-N-Sand has a new improved valve. Valve upgrade kit.
Gold Prospecting Equipment by Gold-N-Sand

 

[KevinInColorado]

Ebuyc, great info! Do your comments on the G&S valves refer to their older one piece valves or the newer two piece (screw together) valve (which they have a patent on btw)?

 

[russau]

I used to have a lot of PVC pipe in my shop. to get rid of it without trashing it I made several of these suckers and GAVE them away to newbees that went out we us or the club! Ive never heard back from them! I have stopped making things for others for free! yep they are real EZ to make!

 

[dashriprock]

I bought a gold and sand hand dredge when they first came out because the old area I always worked had lots of exposed bedrock. After about a half hour using it with the problems others have mentioned...hogging too much material, check valves getting stuck because of stuck rocks, bucket floating around, etc.. I figured out to put a rock on the bucket, don't try to hog the material and rarely have rocks jamming the check valves. I also have the header box attachment that the hose attaches to and mounts on my sluice. Don't know if they still offer that with it or not. I don't have any problems with it and at times it comes in mighty handy.

 

[ebuyc]

Ebuyc, great info! Do your comments on the G&S valves refer to their older one piece valves or the newer two piece (screw together) valve (which they have a patent on btw)?

Yes the original valves.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Yes the original valves.

Ah, right, I had trouble with those valves too. G&S sells their new valves for any who want to replace or build your own. The new valves were designed by Red specifically for this use and do work much better

They also come apart so you can replace just the flapper if it wears out.

 

[mytimetoshine]

Ah, right, I had trouble with those valves too. G&S sells their new valves for any who want to replace or build your own. The new valves were designed by Red specifically for this use and do work much better

They also come apart so you can replace just the flapper if it wears out.

I bought mine last year so wouldn't it already come with the "upgraded" valve? Based on everyones comments I decided to take it apart again and look at the flaps. They defintly don't look like they seal very tight,but now I'm confused as to the orientaion of the flaps but Im sure I can figure that out. My main concern was i did an air pressure/ leak check by plugging the holes with my fingers and blowing into either end and let me tell you, it is in no way airtight leaks like crazy. That explains the suction power or lack thereof...

 

[Oregon Viking]

I bought mine last year so wouldn't it already come with the "upgraded" valve? Based on everyones comments I decided to take it apart again and look at the flaps. They defintly don't look like they seal very tight,but now I'm confused as to the orientaion of the flaps but Im sure I can figure that out. My main concern was i did an air pressure/ leak check by plugging the holes with my fingers and blowing into either end and let me tell you, it is in no way airtight leaks like crazy. That explains the suction power or lack thereof...[/QUO

The older ones, the valve housing is round. The newer model with the flapper,they are square.

 

[mytimetoshine]

I bought mine last year so wouldn't it already come with the "upgraded" valve? Based on everyones comments I decided to take it apart again and look at the flaps. They defintly don't look like they seal very tight,but now I'm confused as to the orientaion of the flaps but Im sure I can figure that out. My main concern was i did an air pressure/ leak check by plugging the holes with my fingers and blowing into either end and let me tell you, it is in no way airtight leaks like crazy. That explains the suction power or lack thereof...[/QUO

The older ones, the valve housing is round. The newer model with the flapper,they are square.

OK, then i definitely have the older or "defective" version. Im kinda upset now. I heard all these good things about it before i bought it. I just bought it last year, i presume after it was known that the orignal valves were defective. You would think that they would only ship "fixed" units?....

 

[Oregon Viking]

OK, then i definitely have the older or "defective" version. Im kinda upset now. I heard all these good things about it before i bought it. I just bought it last year, i presume after it was known that the orignal valves were defective. You would think that they would only ship "fixed" units?....

I think the old valves could....be a PIA.... not defective though. The new valves are better for sure.
http://www.gold-n-sand.com/#/faq/4536614106

 

[goldog]

Looks like 30 bucks for an upgrade. I've wanted something like this. I'll probably just make one.

 

[russau]

I personnaly think Mike Pung and Red Wilcox are doing a great job with their projects!