highbanker combo DIY advice
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 8:06 pm
I am attempting to build a highbanker combo and am searching for some advice. I know, I know, by the time I get the material and put the time in it I should just buy one, but where is the fun in that?
I have done a lot of research on different setups and I'm just not sure, with my limited experience, what I want to start with. As much fun as I will have building this over the winter, once spring comes I don't want to have to rebuild or scrap the whole thing.
What I have to start with is a 12" wide x 4' section of bent sheet metal for the sluice part and another 3' long section for the box/grizzly. Plan on getting a pump from Harbor Freight, 2" clear water most likely unless somebody has a better option. Dredge nozzle plan to go with 2" but that is kind of an afterthought right now. First I'm trying to figure out what to do with the bed of the sluice. I don't really have a way to make riffles so I was thinking expanded metal over something, miners moss, carpet, vortex mat and the size of expanded is in question. That is where I am looking for some experienced advice. Whether that will work for my plans or if I should try and get a riffle setup somehow. Grizzly size isn't set in stone yet, I have stuff to go 1/2" and some wire mesh to go down to 1/4" so I'm open to suggestions on that as well but would like to be able to shovel right into it and not have to classify into a bucket. Highbanker operation is my main focus but I know once that is working it won't take me long to want to step it up to a dredge so whatever I end up with will need to handle that as well.
Also looking for an easy inexpensive way to do an adjustable stand out of conduit or angle or something sturdy. The sheet metal I have is just a bit too thin to stand on it's own so I will be making a bit of a frame for it to sit on, probably out of 1x4s. I don't have torches or a welder or I could fashion something up pretty quick. Maybe I need to get something I can at least braze with as it will open up my options a bit more for a stand?
Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jay
I have done a lot of research on different setups and I'm just not sure, with my limited experience, what I want to start with. As much fun as I will have building this over the winter, once spring comes I don't want to have to rebuild or scrap the whole thing.
What I have to start with is a 12" wide x 4' section of bent sheet metal for the sluice part and another 3' long section for the box/grizzly. Plan on getting a pump from Harbor Freight, 2" clear water most likely unless somebody has a better option. Dredge nozzle plan to go with 2" but that is kind of an afterthought right now. First I'm trying to figure out what to do with the bed of the sluice. I don't really have a way to make riffles so I was thinking expanded metal over something, miners moss, carpet, vortex mat and the size of expanded is in question. That is where I am looking for some experienced advice. Whether that will work for my plans or if I should try and get a riffle setup somehow. Grizzly size isn't set in stone yet, I have stuff to go 1/2" and some wire mesh to go down to 1/4" so I'm open to suggestions on that as well but would like to be able to shovel right into it and not have to classify into a bucket. Highbanker operation is my main focus but I know once that is working it won't take me long to want to step it up to a dredge so whatever I end up with will need to handle that as well.
Also looking for an easy inexpensive way to do an adjustable stand out of conduit or angle or something sturdy. The sheet metal I have is just a bit too thin to stand on it's own so I will be making a bit of a frame for it to sit on, probably out of 1x4s. I don't have torches or a welder or I could fashion something up pretty quick. Maybe I need to get something I can at least braze with as it will open up my options a bit more for a stand?
Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jay