Large Gold Sluice

Large Gold Sluice

Large Gold Sluice Plans

The most common size of portable gold sluices seems to be three feet in length and one foot in

width. This is the best compromise in fine gold recovery and reasonable portability. This sluice

will handle an increase in waterflow due to taller 8 inch siderails and in turn an increase in the

rate of processing of gold-bearing material.

This sluice is based on the idea of being simple in design and methods of construction. No cutting

torch or arc welder involved; only hand tools or lightweight powertools. Since all of the

wood cuts are cross cuts, the only large powertool I used is a radial arm saw. If you don't have a

radial arm saw a hand saw, circular saw or router can be used to make the cuts and riffles.

For cutting carpet and ribbed matting, a sharp utility knife or heavy duty scissors works well.

Galvinized nails or deck screws can be used to assembly the pieces together but, since the wood

is relatively thin, predrill all holes to reduce splitting. A cordless drill with a quick-change bit

system is a real time saver on this type of project.

The first foot of sluice is ribbed rubber matting, the second foot is expanded metal grate on top

of carpet or miner's moss and the third foot is riffles cut into the wood.

The expanded metal grate acts as a method to hold the carpet in place and the grate is held in

place by foot long clamps along the bottom of the siderails. The clamps are held in place by

machine screws that protrude through the clamps and siderails and are secured on the outside

of the siderails with wingnuts. This setup provides for easy disassembly and removal of the carpet

during cleanup. The clamps can be made of wood, pvc or metal.

Also shown is a screen that fits between the first two braces and on top of the siderails.

This allows the prospector to shovel directly into the sluice and prescreen the gravel in one step.

Prescreening helps in the recovery of gold by eliminating large rocks that could tear up the

sluice and dislodge any gold already recovered. The screen is easily removed and dumped when

full. Have a great time and find gold!