Homemade Gold Shaker Table Plans: A Simple Guide for Gold Prospecting
Well, if you’re lookin’ to catch a bit of that shiny gold you keep hearin’ about, you might want to try buildin’ yourself a gold shaker table. Now, I ain’t talkin’ about anything fancy, just somethin’ simple that’ll get the job done for any of you who’re diggin’ around, lookin’ for gold. A shaker table’s a real handy thing to have if you’re serious about gold recovery. Don’t need no high-tech machines or expensive stuff, just a bit of know-how and a few materials from the hardware store. Let me tell you, I’m gonna show you how to make your own little shaker table, and it’s easier than you think!
What You Need to Make a Gold Shaker Table
Now, first things first, you’re gonna need a few things. Don’t go rushin’ off to the store just yet, listen to me. You’ll need:
- A flat table surface – Could be wood, plywood, or something strong enough to handle the water and all that dirt you’ll be throwin’ on it.
- Angle Iron or Metal Frame – This’ll hold your table steady, and give it some weight.
- Wooden or PVC Sides – You need these to keep the dirt from flying off the table while you shake it.
- A Water Supply – Some folks use a garden hose, but you can get creative, just need a steady flow of water to wash off the dirt.
- A Motor – You’re gonna need a motor to get the table shakin’, though you can sometimes use an old washing machine motor if you can find one. Cheap and works like a charm.
- Small Mesh Screen – This helps to separate the fine gold from the rest of the dirt, making sure you don’t miss any of the good stuff.
These are the basics. Ain’t too much to it, right? You can get most of these items in your local hardware store or even look around your yard for some spare parts. Nothing’s too fancy here.
How to Build Your Gold Shaker Table
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Here’s a simple rundown of how you can build this thing:
- Prepare Your Surface – Take your table (could be a piece of plywood) and make sure it’s nice and flat. You don’t want no bumps, or else your gold won’t separate properly.
- Build the Frame – Use the angle iron or wood to create a sturdy frame for the table. This will help give the shaker table some weight, and you don’t want it moving around while it’s shaking!
- Attach the Sides – You’ll need to attach some sides to the frame so the dirt and water stay where they belong. Just use some scrap wood or PVC to keep it together.
- Install the Shaker Mechanism – This part is real important. You need to attach the motor to the frame, so it can shake your table back and forth. Be sure it’s secure, or it won’t work right. Some folks use an old washing machine motor, others go with a simple electric motor from the hardware store.
- Add the Mesh Screen – You’ll want to put the mesh screen on top of the table to help sift out the fine gold from all the rest of the dirt. The finer the mesh, the better, ‘cause it’ll catch more gold.
- Test It Out – Once it’s all set up, give it a test run. Throw some dirt or gravel on the table, add water, and turn the motor on. The table should shake back and forth, and the gold will start to settle in the right spots.
How It Works
Alright, so now you’re probably wonderin’ how this thing actually helps you get gold. Well, when you pour your dirt and gravel on that table, the water helps wash away the lighter stuff, and the shaking motion gets the heavier gold to settle at the bottom. The way the table is tilted, the gold works its way down to the lowest point, where you can collect it in a little trough. Simple as that!
Why This Works
The science behind it’s not too hard to understand. Gold is heavy, and when you shake the table back and forth, the lighter materials—like dirt and rocks—wash off, and the heavy gold stays right where you want it. The water helps move things along, and the shaking ensures that the gold gets properly separated from the rest of the debris.
Other Tips for Success
- Make Sure the Angle is Right – If the table’s too flat or too steep, it won’t work as well. Find the right angle, and your gold will settle properly.
- Use Clean Water – You don’t want to be throwing mud and dirt in with your gold. Clean water helps the process go smoother.
- Be Patient – It might take a little bit of time, but don’t rush it. Gold’s a tricky thing to get, and you don’t want to miss out on any just because you’re in a hurry.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! That’s how you can make your very own gold shaker table. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it gets the job done. Whether you’re out prospectin’ in the creek or workin’ with dirt from an old mine, this shaker table will help you separate that shiny gold from all the other junk. Just take your time, make sure everything’s working right, and soon enough, you’ll be lookin’ at a nice little pile of gold.
Good luck out there, and happy prospectin’!
Tags:[homemade gold shaker table, build a gold shaker table, DIY shaker table, gold prospecting, shaker table for gold, gold recovery, gold mining tools, gold panning, gold extraction, homemade mining tools]