Small Gold Shaker Table Plans: Build Your Own Gold Recovery Table

Well, now, if yer lookin’ to build yourself one o’ them small gold shaker tables, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve got a little something to share with ya, somethin’ that might help you get that gold outta the dirt and into your pocket. Now, I ain’t no expert, but I know a thing or two about makin’ do with what you got. So, let’s start with the basics, shall we?

First off, what’s a gold shaker table? Well, it’s just a simple contraption, really. It’s used to separate gold from the dirt, rocks, and other bits and bobs you find when you’re panning or prospectin’. The way it works is pretty clever. The table shakes, and that motion helps the heavy gold particles to settle, while the lighter stuff gets washed away. It’s all about that gentle, rhythmic motion—kind of like a rocking chair, but for your gold!

Now, if you want to build one yourself, don’t worry! It ain’t as hard as it sounds. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive parts, just some basic stuff that you can find right around the house or at the local hardware store. I’ll walk ya through the process step by step, and you’ll be settin’ up your own shaker table in no time!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

• Wood for the table surface – plywood or any sturdy wood will do.
• Screen mesh – this helps filter out the smaller bits while the gold stays behind.
• Shaker mechanism – a motor or something to give the table a good shake. A small 12V motor works fine, just like the ones used for model trains or toys.
• Water supply – you’ll need some water to wash away the lighter material, so a little pump or even just a hose will do.
• Vibration mechanism – this can be as simple as a motor with a small weight attached to make it wobble.
• Tools – screwdriver, drill, hammer, and maybe a saw if you need to cut anything down to size.

Once you’ve got your materials ready, it’s time to get to work. I reckon it’ll take a day or two, dependin’ on how handy you are with tools.

Step 2: Build the Base

Start with a solid base for your shaker table. You don’t want it movin’ all over the place while you’re workin’. Take a piece of plywood or whatever wood you have, and cut it to the size you want for your table. It don’t need to be real big, just big enough to hold your gold and shake it a bit. Make sure the wood is sturdy, ’cause you don’t want it breakin’ down in the middle of workin’ your gold.

Step 3: Set Up the Vibration System

This part’s important, so listen up. The table needs to shake, but not too much. You want it to move just enough to separate the gold from the dirt. A small motor with a weight on it can do the job real nice. You can attach the motor to the side or underneath the table, depending on how you want it set up. When the motor runs, the weight on the motor will make it wobble and shake the table back and forth.

Step 4: Attach the Screen

Now, you’ll need to attach the screen mesh over the table’s surface. The mesh needs to have small enough holes to let the dirt and rocks fall through, but not the gold. It’s a bit tricky, but once you’ve got the mesh secured, you’ll be ready to move on.

Step 5: Water and Flow

Gold’s heavy, and the dirt’s light, so you’re gonna need water to help wash the lighter stuff off. Set up a little water system to run over the table. You don’t need too much water, just a gentle flow to wash the dirt away while the table shakes. You can use a simple garden hose or a small pump if you’ve got one. The water should flow from one side of the table to the other, keepin’ the gold in place as the dirt and rocks slide off.

Step 6: Test and Adjust

Once everything’s put together, give it a try! Turn on the motor, let it shake, and watch the magic happen. The gold should stay put while the other stuff gets washed away. If it’s not workin’ right, don’t fret! You might need to adjust the angle of the table or the speed of the motor. It’s all about trial and error, and don’t be afraid to fiddle with it until it’s just right.

Tips and Tricks:

• Make sure the table is level so the gold doesn’t slide off the wrong way!
• If you’re not gettin’ enough shake, try addin’ a little more weight to the motor.
• Don’t forget to clean your table after every use. Gold likes to stick to things, and you don’t want to miss any nuggets!
• If the water’s flowin’ too fast or too slow, adjust the valve or hose to get the right speed.

And that’s it, folks! Once you’ve got everything built, you’ll have yourself a nice little gold shaker table. It don’t need to be fancy, just effective. With a bit of elbow grease and some patience, you’ll be extractin’ that gold like a pro!

Tags：[gold shaker table, gold mining, DIY gold recovery, small gold shaker table plans, gold prospecting, homemade gold shaker]