Plans to Build a Gold Shaker Table: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Well, let me tell ya, if you’re lookin’ to build yourself a gold shaker table, ya come to the right place! I’ve been asked by a few folks to share how to go about makin’ one, so here’s what I got for ya. Now, don’t be expectin’ no fancy talk, we’ll keep it simple like the way things were done back in the day, where everything was made with what ya got around.

First things first, a gold shaker table is somethin’ you use when you’re tryin’ to separate gold from dirt. It’s what they call a “wet table,” where the dirt gets washed off and the gold, bein’ heavier, stays behind. All it takes is a little shake-shake action, and that’s where the table comes in handy. It shakes and moves everything around so the gold stays in one place, and the other stuff gets washed away.

Now, don’t go thinkin’ it’s some complicated contraption, ‘cause it ain’t. You can build yourself a nice little table right in your backyard with some easy-to-find materials. Here’s how you can get started:

1. The Base of the Table:

Start with a flat piece of wood or plywood. Make sure it’s sturdy enough so it don’t wobble when you’re shakin’ things around. I used an old piece of plywood from the barn—nothing too fancy. This’ll be the foundation for everything, so make sure it’s big enough to hold the materials and give ya some room to work.

2. The Surface for Shakin’:

Now, for the surface of the shaker, you can use some kind of slanted board. It don’t have to be too steep, but it should have a slight angle so the water can flow off the surface. The angle helps the gold settle at the bottom while the rest of the stuff gets washed away. You can use old tin or metal if you got it; it’ll last longer and make it easier for the gold to separate.

3. Shakin’ Mechanism:

Here’s the tricky part, but don’t worry—it’s not too hard. The table needs to shake, right? You can use a simple motor for this. If ya don’t have a motor, some folks use old washing machine parts or even a hand crank, but the motor will make things a lot easier. The motor will need to be connected to a mechanism that shakes the table back and forth. I used some old springs and a few metal rods, but you can get creative with whatever you have.

4. Sluice Box:

Under the shaking table, you’re gonna need a sluice box. This is where the gold settles after the shaking. It’s like a little channel where the gold gets trapped, while the lighter stuff gets washed away. You can build one from some more wood or even metal, just make sure it fits underneath the table and allows the water to flow properly.

5. The Gold Recovery:

Once you got the table all set up and shakin’, you’ll need to add water. The water helps the dirt move off the table while the gold stays put. Don’t forget to use a fine mesh screen or a piece of cloth to catch the gold once it’s separated. You’ll see the gold start to gather at the bottom. It might take a little while, but soon enough, you’ll have yourself some nice little gold pieces.

6. Testing It Out:

When it’s all built, you’ll want to test it out. Put some dirt and small rocks on the table, turn on the motor (or give it a shake if you’re doin’ it by hand), and see if the gold stays where it should. If it’s workin’ right, the gold will stay in the bottom part of the table while the rest of the dirt and rocks get washed off.

• Make sure the angle is just right, not too steep or too flat.
• Test the water flow so it’s not too fast or slow.
• Check the shaking action to make sure it’s movin’ everything just right.

Some Tips:

– Don’t go overboard with the water. Too much water can make the gold wash away too, and you don’t want that!

– You might have to adjust the shaking action a bit. Sometimes, if it ain’t shakin’ enough, the gold won’t separate properly.

– Keep the table clean and check it after every use to make sure it’s still in good shape.

Building a gold shaker table doesn’t have to be some big expensive thing. You can make one with just a few things around the house or from scrap parts. It may take a little work, but once it’s done, you’ll be able to separate that gold and see the fruits of your labor. Just remember, this ain’t some high-tech machine, it’s just a simple tool for gettin’ the job done. So, give it a try, and happy gold huntin’!

Tags：[Gold Shaker Table, Build Your Own Shaker Table, Gold Prospecting, DIY Gold Table, Gold Recovery, Simple Gold Table, Wet Table, Shaker Table Plans]