Well, let me tell ya, when it comes to shaker tables, there’s a whole lotta talk about them, and a lot of folks don’t really understand what they are or how they work. I ain’t no expert, but I do know a thing or two about these contraptions. They can be mighty useful for folks who’re lookin’ to separate gold from other bits and pieces, like sand and rocks. And lemme tell ya, that’s something worth knowin’ if ya ever get into panning for gold or such.
Now, if we start talkin’ about the parts of a shaker table, it’s really not that complicated. You got your table surface, which is usually made outta some kind of material that’s easy to clean, like fiberglass or metal. Then, there’s the part that makes the table shake, the motor. The motor’s what gives the table that nice, back-and-forth motion that helps separate the heavy stuff from the light stuff. You also got to have some kinda slope to the table, so the materials can move down to one end and be sorted out. Seems simple enough, right?
Let me tell ya about some common shaker tables people use:
- RP-4 Shaker Table: This one’s a popular choice. It can handle a good bit of material—up to 800 pounds an hour if you’re workin’ with sand-sized feed. It’s good at separatin’ gold, and that’s what folks want, right? It’s real steady and can do the job without much fuss.
- Wilfley Shaker Table: Now, this here’s a classic. The No. 12 right-hand version, to be exact. It’s mechanically operated, meaning it don’t rely on no fancy electronics to do the job. Just good ol’ mechanical parts and some solid action. This one’s been used a lot in mines and places where they’re serious about their gold separatin’.
- Xtruder 255: Now, if you’re lookin’ for somethin’ a bit more modern, you might look at the Xtruder 255. It’s got variable speed control, which means you can adjust how fast or slow the table shakes. It’s simple to use, and you can process up to 255 pounds of material per hour. Pretty good for small-time gold prospectin’ or hobby folks.
But here’s the thing—no matter which one you’re usin’, they all need proper care. If ya don’t keep up with the maintenance, these shaker tables can break down on ya, and that means a lot of wasted time and money. Regular inspections are a must. Ya gotta check the motor, make sure it’s working right, and see that the surface is still good for catchin’ the gold. Even somethin’ like the slant of the table—if it’s too steep or not steep enough, it won’t work like it should. You don’t want your hard work goin’ to waste.
How to build your own shaker table:
Now, I know there are folks out there that like to make their own tables. If you’re handy with tools, this might be somethin’ you can tackle. I’ve heard of people usin’ old bicycle parts and bits of scrap metal to build a shaker table. It don’t gotta be fancy, just functional. You’d need some kind of motor to make it shake, and the table itself can be built with plywood or any sturdy material. It’s all about creatin’ that right movement to separate the gold from the other junk.
So, whether you buy one or build your own, the shaker table is a mighty useful tool if you’re serious about separatin’ gold. Just remember, it’s all about the parts and how well they work together. If the motor’s strong, the table’s level, and the shake’s just right, you’ll be findin’ gold in no time.
Now, like I said, I ain’t no expert, but I reckon with the right tools, and a little bit of patience, you could build yourself a shaker table that’ll last you for years. And who knows? Maybe you’ll strike it rich!
Tags:[Shaker Table, RP-4 Shaker Table, Gold Prospecting, Wilfley Shaker Table, Xtruder 255, DIY Shaker Table, Gold Separation, Gold Mining Equipment]