Well now, if you got yourself a mind to build a gold shaker table, you’re in for a treat, I tell ya. I ain’t no engineer or fancy tinkerer, but I reckon with a bit of know-how, you can put together a good shaker table for all that gold dust and gravel you’ve been collecting. A gold shaker table’s a thing you need if you’re looking to separate the good gold from all that other junk that comes out of the dirt. It’s a simple contraption, really, but it works wonders if you got it all set up right.
Now, when you’re designing your own gold shaker table, first thing’s first, you gotta get yourself a good plan. Ain’t no need to rush into it, cause if you go messin’ around without a plan, well, you’ll end up wasting time, money, and maybe even your back! You can find free plans online, just search for “gold shaker table design PDF” and you’ll see plenty of folks offering their plans. Most of them, they show you how to build a table with a motor or by hand, but I’d recommend startin’ simple and buildin’ a hand-operated one. That way, you don’t need no fancy motors or electric parts, just good old elbow grease!
So, let’s talk about the materials you’ll need. You’ll want some wood or metal for the frame. Don’t go cheap now, get something sturdy cause this table’s gonna take a bit of a pounding. For the surface, most folks use steel or something smooth to make sure the gold can slip off easy like. And don’t forget about the riffles – them’s the little ridges you’ll put on the table to catch the gold while the dirt and rocks slide right off. Some folks use wood for the riffles, others go for metal, whatever you got on hand that works, just make sure they’re spaced right so the gold don’t escape!
Once you got your materials, you’ll need to put together the frame and get the table itself level. It’s important that the table has a slight tilt, you don’t want it completely flat or you won’t get no separation. You can adjust the tilt by propping up one side with a few blocks or shims, it don’t have to be precise, just enough to get the materials moving properly. After that, you attach the riffles to the surface and make sure they’re secure. You’ll also want to add a trough or pan at the bottom to catch all the gold as it slides off.
Now, if you got yourself a hand-powered shaker table, you’ll need a way to make the table shake. Some folks use a handle, and others might use a foot pedal. It don’t matter how you do it, just make sure it shakes good enough to move all the material along the table but not too much that it throws the gold outta the pan. It’s all about that balance! And, of course, don’t forget to give the thing a good test run before you go to workin’ with it. You gotta make sure that gold’s stayin’ right where you want it!
If you’re more of the tech-savvy sort and want to add a motor, well, that’s a different ball game, but there’s plenty of plans for that too. You can get a small motor, maybe a 12V DC, and hook it up to a shaft and some pulleys to make the table shake on its own. That’ll save you some arm muscle, but be careful now, motors can get a bit tricky if you don’t know what you’re doin’. You’ll need to make sure the motor’s the right size for your table and that it’s connected properly so you don’t end up burnin’ something out.
Once it’s all together, the real fun begins! You’ll be able to run your gravel, dirt, and other material over the table, and with the shaking, the heavier gold will settle in the riffles while the lighter rocks and dirt wash away. It’s like magic, only it’s all science and a bit of good ol’ craftsmanship. Now, keep in mind, you won’t get gold every time, but you’ll sure get a lot more than if you were just panning in the creek!
Building a shaker table isn’t no small task, but if you take your time and follow the right plans, you’ll have a handy tool for all that gold you’ve been finding. I’d say, give it a go if you’re up for it. You’ll be proud as a peacock when that table’s shaking and you’re finding that gold you’ve worked so hard for!
Tags:[gold shaker table, shaker table design, gold recovery, DIY shaker table, gold panning, shaker table plans, build gold shaker table]