Popping the cork on a dredge

[mxer47]

You are also going to need a urethane dead-blow hammer to knock out plug ups. Extra hose clamps and hand tools. Extra spark plug w/wrench just in case. When buying any extras for your dredge, buy the brightest neon colors available, or spray paint them. I also found two waterproof containers I bolted directly to my dredge. One for my spark plug, keys, permit, and firearm ( stuff i want to keep dry). The other for my tools, scrapers and pry-bars for cracks in bedrock extra clamps etc.

 

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[Jason in Enid]

Oh yeah, you're definitely going to need a whole box of extras and replacements for everything. You will lose nuts, bolts, washers, break your compressor belt, flywheel, clamps, drop tools.... If you can't fix at the site you have to pull out and go back to town to find parts. This usually causes the loss of an entire day.

 

[G1sammons]

Nice GrizzlyGremlin!! As Jason said, I wouldn't modify anything until you have had time to use it as is and only modify if you find that you need to based on specific's of the areas your working. I don't think the unit comes with a hose, reserve tank or regulator to attach to the compressor, so you will need this for diving. Hookah regulators are different than scuba regulators if my memory serves me. They are designed for lower pressure so be sure and buy one for a hookah or one that can be adjusted for lower pressure. Keene of course sells the kit's also. Congrat's

Right on with the regulators they are the same just different spring pressure on the regulator most dive shops can build them and convert any regulator to low pressure
..
Also pump seals get at least one extra if not 2 and a field kit for your air pump because they go out a lot on new folks . Because new folks like to turn the presure up and often put the quick coupler on the air hoses backwards wich makes it build presure even when your air hose is not attached ... Always put the male end on the compressor and the female on the hose! It's backwards from what you would do in a shop air system but you don't want to build presure unless your attached to your air line ...
Presure build heat and heat destroys the diaphragm in the compressor ..
Also would be a good idea to research some safety stuff with diving. Best idea would be to go thru diving school . You can hurt yourself in 10 ft of water a lot easier than most folks think .. I know school is not cheap but you can do some studying online that could save your life...


Also there's a few 4" mini on eBay look to be in pretty good shape ..
A lot of folks buy new dredges then realize its work and sell them cheap with all the goodies mask suites ect ...

Good luck and be careful

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Excellent advice!! Thanks so much for the tips on the best extra parts. I was wondering which ones break most often. Im pretty handy and can jerry rig just about anything. I think im gojng to go with a hookah system. As far as lessons on diving go i think im going to opt out... I would much rather spend the time on the river. Ive got everything priced out and it looks like im going to be $4000 into the dredge and equipment. Its getting difficult to contain the excitement

 

[okbasspro]

There is a guy on eBay that sell complete setups his name is Roger he sells under the name of Maxfuz. I got my proline from him. He will ship his dredges he has a 5 inch keene for less than the 4k your looking at for a mini. He also has several 4s check with him you can get more bang for your buck.

 

[Jason in Enid]

There is a guy on eBay that sell complete setups his name is Roger he sells under the name of Maxfuz. I got my proline from him. He will ship his dredges he has a 5 inch keene for less than the 4k your looking at for a mini. He also has several 4s check with him you can get more bang for your buck.

I looked up the 4" he has for sale right now. It looks like a great one for a great price. I would second OBP's recomendation.

 

[G1sammons]

Excellent advice!! Thanks so much for the tips on the best extra parts. I was wondering which ones break most often. Im pretty handy and can jerry rig just about anything. I think im gojng to go with a hookah system. As far as lessons on diving go i think im going to opt out... I would much rather spend the time on the river. Ive got everything priced out and it looks like im going to be $4000 into the dredge and equipment. Its getting difficult to contain the excitement

Most common break would air diaphragm on t80 and pump seal .
Week point on those dredges are the frames ! They r flimsy but it's a very easy fix .. I just tack weld a piece if 1" square tubbing across the side handles from one side to another and it's as strong as a proline frame

All of the t80 pumps I see burnt up are from them being dead headed . In other words don't let it build pressure when your not using it ... Just let it free flo...
Also most of them come with a non adjustable pop off valve .... I like to have the adjustable one and only turn it up as much as you need . And that pump will run for years.

 

[russau]

Gary i agree with your statement! on my 4 inch dredge i made a spring loaded tensioner for my belt. when i dont need it i remove the belt without unbolting the pump.no sense adding wear and tear on the compressor if you dont need to!

 

[G1sammons]

Gary i agree with your statement! on my 4 inch dredge i made a spring loaded tensioner for my belt. when i dont need it i remove the belt without unbolting the pump.no sense adding wear and tear on the compressor if you dont need to!

That's one way to save it for sure .. Iv just watched 6 brand new dredges in less than a month whom all burnt up there t80 diaphragms ! They all set them up like a air compressor at the house so when they unhooked there air hose they still build presure and we use them to swim us up and down the river so they get some run time without using the air .. The 4" machine will push ya along as fast as a trolling motor ! Kind of funny way to get around but it works .just take the hose off and roll it into a coil and lay it on top .... The diver just drags along the sides and back until ya get where your going ... Don't know if any one els does this or not but hay it works ! Any how I was the first to get it couple years ago .i just simply changed my fitting around so the male m style Milton fitting is on the compressor and it just blows air without building pressure so it doesn't make as much heat also I noticed all the new dredges come with a fixed pressure regulator and you can't turn them down ! Don't care for that much either.. Lucky for me I had a older t80 and it had a fully adjustable relief. I only turn it up enough to build what I need to breath.. Probally won't last as long as taking the belt off but it's been working for me couple years and no more problems . I tel ya my newer four keene I got the free up grade from a t80 to there house pump think they call it kac 1 or something like that . But anyhow that's the biggest terd air pump iv ever seen wish they would have just givin me the t80 ... They break every time I try to use them and they suck way to much power out of your motor you might as well run 263 ... It takes more power to turn the kac and only moves half the air ....

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Im definetly going to baby my dredge at first. I placed my order 3 days ago. Keene 4" ultra mini with air. I HAD to buy new. Very few used 4"ers here on the east coast. I will mod as needed but for now im waiting for the 6-8 week delivery time. Im looking for a deal on hookah tank, wet suit, harness and regulator. I think its best if i get some hours dredging before i decide to change a dam thing. For now its going to be get some gravel up that tube and get used to the upgraded equipment. Im soooo stoked! Ill be about $4000 down with the rest of the stuff. $3400 for a new 4" with free shipping from california seems about as fair as possible!! Cmon april 1st! I wana make some money back and have the time of my life doing it!!!

 

[G1sammons]

Im definetly going to baby my dredge at first. I placed my order 3 days ago. Keene 4" ultra mini with air. I HAD to buy new. Very few used 4"ers here on the east coast. I will mod as needed but for now im waiting for the 6-8 week delivery time. Im looking for a deal on hookah tank, wet suit, harness and regulator. I think its best if i get some hours dredging before i decide to change a dam thing. For now its going to be get some gravel up that tube and get used to the upgraded equipment. Im soooo stoked! Ill be about $4000 down with the rest of the stuff. $3400 for a new 4" with free shipping from california seems about as fair as possible!! Cmon april 1st! I wana make some money back and have the time of my life doing it!!!

Must not have craigslist ! Iv found several in less than 10 min , Your exact machine with complete air system .blaster nozzle decked out with gold hog matting for 3000 listed price Probally could have picked it up for 2500 with cash in your hand ... Huntsville Craig's list ... Don't know how far of a drive that might have been but it's listed in All over in Georgia, Carolina's and Alabama ..

Looks like its new !

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Yeah i scoured everywhere for a deal but nothing worth it. Im in New Hampshire. Very few dredgers up this way. Lots of panning and sluicing but for most that is plenty of fun...lol

 

[Timberdoodle]

Yeah i scoured everywhere for a deal but nothing worth it. Im in New Hampshire. Very few dredgers up this way. Lots of panning and sluicing but for most that is plenty of fun...lol

Didn't realize you were in NH. I dredged for a day last summer on the Wind Ammanoosic, found some fine gold and galena. I'm located in Maine now, but grew up in NH. Where are you located? If your interested in trying some locations together this summer, that would be great.

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Timberdoodle, im holding you to that!! Im getting both NH and ME dredging permits. We like the wild am but its too pounded. I may take a day to bath just to tune in the dredge. Its easy access and shallower there ill pay the 5 bucks. Once im more familiar its game on. Last year we found a solid gram of gold just panning. 1 nugget 24 pickers and flakes n fines. Total i believe we processed about 60 or 70 yards of material. Im hoping to process this much in 2 days with the dredge. I have a hush hush place that holds BIG gold. I posted this before but this was taken in 2 feet of water in a 10 foot pool on a slab of bedrock here in NH... Whats at the bottom on bedrock... Well you can see where my anticipation is coming from.

 

[Timberdoodle]

Awesome Grizzlygremlin!! I'm looking forward to it. Looks like you found some great spots. I haven't found anything to match that size yet, but I spent more time tinkering in my test tub this past year than I spent in the field. Hopefully that will change this coming year and I'll get some serious time on my 4".

Can't Wait for spring!!

 

[G1sammons]

Timberdoodle, im holding you to that!! Im getting both NH and ME dredging permits. We like the wild am but its too pounded. I may take a day to bath just to tune in the dredge. Its easy access and shallower there ill pay the 5 bucks. Once im more familiar its game on. Last year we found a solid gram of gold just panning. 1 nugget 24 pickers and flakes n fines. Total i believe we processed about 60 or 70 yards of material. Im hoping to process this much in 2 days with the dredge. I have a hush hush place that holds BIG gold. I posted this before but this was taken in 2 feet of water in a 10 foot pool on a slab of bedrock here in NH... Whats at the bottom on bedrock... Well you can see where my anticipation is coming from.

perrrtayyy

 

[MadJack_ME]

Jimminy-Christmas... go here; Home -- Dahlke Dredge mfg. and look up the Micro 4-B. 5hp Honda GC, DP150 Pump, with AIR even! I own a 2003 model and it runs fine down to ten feet deep with a Honda GX 4hp.

 

[Timberdoodle]

Now that's a sweet dredge. Dahlke has really been innovative and produced high quality products over the years. I hope this continues after the loss of the owner.

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

Looking to order a hookah tank, hose and regulator. Is anyone familiar with Keene hose, tank, harness, and regulator package? $300 seems a bit cheap.

 

[G1sammons]

Looking to order a hookah tank, hose and regulator. Is anyone familiar with Keene hose, tank, harness, and regulator package? $300 seems a bit cheap.

Hose and tank there's nothing wrong with them but if I were looking for a regulator I'd have one built for the pressure that your unit is going to produce .
When they r matched properly breathing is effortless wench there not you have to pull harder to actuate the regulator ... Sounds silly but it actually makes a huge difference on your comfort level ! By built I don't mean some special order just dint you a used or new regular and take it to a local dive shop that rebuild regulators ! And he can adjust the springs inside to make them work proper ...
Thou I will tell you 99 percent of the folks dredgeing Probally have never hade one set up proper ... When set up right it like your breathing out of the water without a regulator at all! I also would recommend looking at some hose that is made for commercial diving there is one that you cannot kink and block the air ! It looks like a star on the inside . It's just a safety thing .. You will find with any other hose your gona kink it at some pointe and your air will shut off instantly ! If this happeneds just back up to take the presure off the hose and you should have your air back!