Well, let me tell ya, this gold sluice matting thing—it’s like givin’ your sluice box a big ol’ hug so it catches all that precious gold dust you been diggin’ for. Now, folks out there, if ya never used no gold sluice matting before, I got some stuff to share. This here mat, it ain’t no ordinary mat like ya got at your front door, nosiree! This mat’s made special-like to trap all them tiny gold pieces while the water rushes through your sluice box. Saves ya from losin’ all them hard-earned bits.
What’s Gold Sluice Matting?
Now, don’t ya go worryin’ if ya don’t know much about gold sluice matting. It’s somethin’ ya lay right inside yer sluice box to help trap the gold bits as the water goes by. See, a sluice box is like a long ol’ trough or box that ya put on a little slope down by the river or creek. Ya pour the dirt and gravel into one end, let the water do the work, and them heavy gold bits get caught up in the mat. Good sluice mats are made from strong stuff, like polyurethane, so they hold up to all the rough rocks and fast water, better than that cheap ol’ rubber some folks sell ya.
Why Use Gold Sluice Matting?
Now ya might be thinkin’, “Why bother with a mat?” Lemme tell ya, without it, a lotta them little gold specks just get washed away, floatin’ right out the end of yer sluice box! Ya work all day for nothin’. But with a good mat, ya get more gold stickin’ in them riffles. Some folks even call it a “V Mat” ‘cause it’s got these little grooves that trap the gold real nice and keep it from slippin’ away.
Picking Out the Right Sluice Mat
So, ya got some choices out there when it comes to these mats. Some are made just for fine gold, some are better for the big chunks. Most folks go for a mat that can handle both, so ya don’t gotta keep swappin’ mats. Them Dream Mats are real popular ’cause they’re tough as nails, made outta that polyurethane stuff I was tellin’ ya about, not that flimsy rubber. They catch gold real good, and they last a lot longer.
How to Set Up Your Sluice Box with Matting
Now, here’s a tip from someone who’s been around a creek or two. When ya set up yer sluice box, don’t be lazy with the angle. Most folks say keep it between 9 and 11 degrees. That’s fancy talk for a gentle slope, just enough so the water runs through, but not so fast it whooshes all the gold out. Put yer mat inside, make sure it’s snug, and then pour in that gravel. As the water runs down, ya wanna see them gold specks settlin’ in the mat, not skippin’ over the top. A little test run can tell ya if yer setup is right.
Care for Your Sluice Mat
Ya don’t wanna toss that mat out after one use, no ma’am. After ya finish, take it out, rinse it real good, and get all them gold bits that stuck in the corners. These mats can last a long time if ya treat ‘em right. A good sluice mat can be used over and over again, so long as ya don’t let it get clogged up with dirt and rocks. Keep it clean, and it’ll keep on catchin’ gold for ya.
Where to Buy Gold Sluice Matting?
Now, if yer lookin’ to get yer hands on one, there’s plenty places online where they sell these mats. Places like eBay got a bunch, and some even offer free shippin’. They got all kinds too, different sizes and shapes dependin’ on yer sluice box. Just keep an eye on the quality—ya want one made from tough stuff, so it don’t wear out after just a few times in the river. Don’t go cheap if ya want it to last.
Tips for Better Gold Catchin’
- Check Your Angle – A little angle is good, but too much and that gold’s just gonna fly right out. Try a small slope and see how the water flows.
- Don’t Rush the Water – Just a steady stream is all ya need. Too fast, and the mat won’t do its job.
- Rinse the Mat – After each use, clean that mat real good. Gold likes to hide in those little grooves, so make sure ya don’t leave any behind.
So there ya have it, a little rundown on how this gold sluice matting works. It’s a handy little tool if ya got some gold fever and wanna make sure all that hard work don’t wash away. Happy diggin’!
Tags:[gold sluice matting, sluice box, gold recovery, Dream Mat, sluice box setup, mining tools]