DIY Floating Platform for dredge.

[cabarrusgold]

[Deleted]

Nice video.. His pump looks turned the wrong way I guess he just using it to float his motor though..

[cabarrusgold]

Yeah, he is floating a motor for HB. Had lay flat coming off pump. I thought it would be a great example of a frame and drum float design for someone. You would need to figure out sluice box and flair support. Otherwise, all there in vid.

[Deleted]

ya looks pretty light weight.. I think the flair would be easy to make, more so than the box itself.. I am kinda liking the gold grabber flared box.. But I am partial to that haha

[cabarrusgold]

Not sure of draft with those drums, but that metal hanger bar he is using supports threaded rod. Just get a few of those and some flat stock and you have a sluice support. If light weight dredge, you could get away with 4 drums total instead of 6.

4x8 sheet of that thick aluminum runs 100.00 not cut or bent. You could take rest of aluminum and maybe make a flair for jet. The point where jet connects to flair will be tricky as it will be a square part going on a round part. I have made a flair out of thinner metal and coiled it to shape then braded a connection part to fit to jet. Then sealed up all using that GOOP Glue. Worked great! Won't be able to coil up that thicker stuff. I used 0.40 to coil and was strong.

[daubster]

That video was made by Reed Lukens. He has many videos posted. He has a muti part on building a dredge.

[bobg]

I've got the square jugs if anybody wants to do this.
My jugs are closer to 8 gallon and blue like the big plastic barrels.

[cabarrusgold]

Bob, where did you get your jugs at? With the price of floatation, this is not a bad idea. This would also be good for a floating platform to carry needed equipment up river.

[bobg]

Here in Wilmington is a place that makes nitrogen generators. Don't ask me what they are. They use carbon pellets and the carbon pellets come in these jugs. I've used these jugs for flotation and for holding fresh drinking water. They wash out easily and are clean inside after the carbon is poured out.

I always bring at least one full jug for drinking water and coffee. Gave Kev NC 4 of them to keep drinking water in at his place in Va. I've got about a dozen left plus 8 with some screw holes in them that can be plugged easy enough.

I'll load up a few if I ever get a chance to go prospecting and leave them with you or whoever might see you next.

BTW They cost me .25 each I bought almost 80 of them.

[cabarrusgold]

LOL... at that price, I would have taken at least 10.00 worth. Too cool.