New Silicone Sluice Box Mat Heads or Tails? I Think Heads!

Testing my new silicone sluice box mat that I made to see if will catch gold. I ran it three times with different amount of gold and also ran some beach sand. This video will show that you can make almost any mat you can think up with the silicone and dish soap method.
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[@KODArunner]

Alan, you keep this up and the BIG BOYS are gonna be knockin' at your door, 'cause you're makin' them look bad! . . . lol God bless and keep up your wonderful thinkin'!

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Richard. Let them come there are plenty of guys willing to buy there high price stuff that need all the bells and whistles and the rest of us can make our own save a ton of money and find just as much gold.

[@FlourgoldWizards]

You are becoming the silicone king for sure!!!! They really looked like they ran smoothly. Always drop what I’m doing when your vids come out🍺 Thanks again for the shout and keep them coming,

[@ricardojon2777]

instaBlaster.

[@utahavalanch]

No wonder there is a shortage of Silicone in the West. LOL. Nice looking mat. I made a sluice that was similar with the circles and a Riffle about a year ago and used it for a season. Worked very well for me. Really caught the fine gold. Keep up the good work.

[@alanrobertson2510]

I should have bought some stock in silicone. I like the mat I just put up a video on the mat running backwards and I like it better. My mats are to thick to put the silicone straight into the mold with out the soap one took 24 hours to dry and the other about four days then I had to pry out my legos I think I will stick with my method I had to give it a try.

[@utahavalanch]

Yes, you have to spread soapy water on the inside of the mold and also on the outside of the Silicone as water is what makes the Silicone set up. Mine took about 2 hours to set up. Sounds like your way is working best for your molds. Now on to fishing lures. 😄 makes good worms.

[@poptart8741]

Be interesting to see the mat ran the other way as well... great work

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Brain Yes I will try them the other way several have made that suggestion.

[@frankbyrd9345]

As always Alan , Thanks for leading us out of the box and showing us how to look at and think a bit differently about catching gold ... I gotta get some silicone caulk and get to work

[@Whaler170]

Can’t argue with the results but it would be interesting to run a section of your new mats the other way to see how the material exchanges. Great video.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks I will try the mats the other way several people have suggested that.

[@dewfew1]

Hi Mr. Robertson , Sir you got a winner there for sure, your matting should work very similar to the very expensive Vortex Dream Mat for a sluice box, and from what I have read, it was designed for the extreme bleach floor gold,. I liked the fact that you were able to catch the flour gold in your matting. I been working outside on my little sluice box as the weather and winds permitting to do so, down here in the northern CA high desert because i have to do all of my work outside since I have no work shop or garage to work in. I been thinking what to do on the sluice mats that you been making and was wondering what different designs, that could be made out of the silicone now that I been watching what you have come up with , I believe I will try and make this one or a very similar style myself now. Yes i for one would very much appreciate it, if you have the time to do a follow up on how you made your mold. Thank you Mr. Robertson for taking the time to and for sharing with the rest of us another excellent video. dd

[@sharperprospecting6980]

Go back threw vids all there to see. I also have no workshop and work outside.. Ti's the best work place.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you I have been using my ice house to run dirt this winter at least I can stay warm. Good luck on your sluice and yes I will do a video on how to make the molds. Thanks for watching and spring is almost here.

[@sjfuller1963]

You are so ingenious! It resembles the dream mat but more improved!

[@freedomprospecting9034]

Looks great. You always come up with some good ideas.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you! 😊

[@ufodominicano8506]

hey master you do not stop surprising me greetings. Since the Dominican Republic he really appreciated it

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you

[@arniebowie2572]

another great idea!! love the new dime mats!! they look good too!! good one Al.....=)!!

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Arnie.

[@Luukrods]

That is a heads, for sure Alan. stunning mat. I will attempt to make a miniaturized version of that design at some stage.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Have fun I am going to do a video on how I made the mold soon.

[@fabiobeyhautkuhn2211]

Ha ha,no limits for this,Dime mat is better than dream mat.You got it,unchaiming the silicon fever,ja jaWhat a good work,Congratulations!!

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you I am going to run out of room in my sluice I think it is time to get out and do some digging.

[@adamlyons4982]

Try spinning those mats around so the ridge is up top, i bet you'll get more gold from them.

[@alanrobertson2510]

I will give that a try. You are not the only one making that suggestion.

[@lynnreem8900]

Great job

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you Lynn

[@randalhoule6201]

Great job Alan , need is the the mother of invention . Before I watched your videos ? I was thinking how can I change a sluice box ? But , you can't really change the sluice box . Change the material the mat is made out of !!! Alan you nailed it right on the head . Silicone is hydrophobic , but a little softer . It may wear , but I don't care . I'm sold on silicone !

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Randal I sure never thought the mats would go this far when I started. The 3D printed molds are working great and yes no matter what mat I make it catches gold just because it's made out of silicone. As far as wear I ran about 10 yards of material over the same mats this summer and can see no wear at all. How long will they last Who knows.

[@mattlong2129]

Nice job alan looks like a winner

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Matt I see you have been out getting some nice beach gold. Have fun

[@mattlong2129]

yup! I wish I had the patience and time to make videos like you guys lol... I ran into another youtuber out there Keith and Wynn prospecting... He took video of my setup and a pretty rich rust layer I ran into.

[@alanrobertson2510]

I have seen those guys videos before they do some good work. I hope you found something good

[@johnr.8723]

Nice design my friend!

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks John

[@iiniijewelry]

Awesome video Alan. Your new mats are working pretty good. I wonder if they may work better if you flipped em around? Cool either way. I used you bucket feeder idea for my sluice 👍🏾 works great. It a idea on my Handel if you wanna check it out. It’s a huge work in progress but it’s catching gold 😁 either way, thanks for sharing buddy

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Kevin I will try flipping them around and see what happens. Yes I want to check out your project good luck with it.

[@ianfield3864]

Hi Alan, have you tried having the curve facing down stream

[@alanrobertson2510]

No I never thought of that but several people have made that suggestion so I will give it a try. Thanks for watching.

[@Thebald1]

You always amaze me.. So cool

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you I think the mat worked pretty well for a first try.

[@pkgoldopalhunting]

top job alan i try to make a lot of things my self as well mate be good to see how you make the moulds as well keep it up

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Peter Yes I will do the video on how to make the mold. Homemade is better than store bought any day.

[@tadvanallen]

Alan, thats sweet!! And that clay jig looks really cool! you said Oven Clay right?... where does one get that? Again thanx for vid! :)

[@alanrobertson2510]

Yes not to bad for a fist try. You can get the oven bake clay at Walmart or any craft store for about five buck for a big package.

[@tadvanallen]

Awesome, thanx! :)

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

Try Sculpy III, it’s cheaper than the other Polymer clay, I use it as a mold and I use a toaster oven to bake it. I seem to have better control of the heat

[@ChristmasStitcherAtHeart-Greg]

Would love to see a how to for the mold!

[@alanrobertson2510]

I will be doing that video soon I just need to get to town and pick up some more clay.

[@patrickjobling8676]

Youve done it agains big al .. moore stuff for me to make .. jolly good carryon pip pips..😁

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Rick Have fun making new mats.

[@coptechgold]

Love the mats, real good ideas. What are you using silicone to connect the mats together? Funny I have some conveyor belt with the curves there already, called it the happy mat (looked like a bunch of smiles). You should call this the Happy Mat or Happy Dime Hole Mat.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thank you Yes I used silicone to glue the mats together. I should call it happy mat it sure made me happy.

[@chrislilly1463]

Oh my goodness Alan! Nice! We really would get in trouble if we had a few days together “why do you two have my ice cube trays!?!?. Lol I saw the video on the dream mat and heard the prices and was like “no chance”. I immediately had two thoughts: #1: coins like you, but a Loonie, quarter, nickel, 2-3 dimes ( we don’t have pennies anymore) I was going to call it the “spare change” mat lol so a bit (1/8”-1/4” ) deeper than yours and walls that are flush front and build toward back (possibly 2 riffles per hole). That is Super funny to me we both had a similar idea. #2 the same exact thing you did, but a golf ball divot the size of a quarter with the riffle behind. The “gimme” mat. I just thought the name was funny and the dimples in a golf ball (reversed) might make an interesting gold catch. Might need something more like a bumpy dog toy though. Feel free to try either out lol.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Hey Chris Yes it sounds like it would be a fun time I showed my wife your comments she laughed and I said see honey there are guys out there that think just like me and she walked away. You have some good ideas for some mats just remember the mold make the mat opposite of the mold I am going to do another video on the molds. Thanks for your ideas and support.

[@chrislilly1463]

Bahahaha! Mine would too. Shake her head and walk away.

[@sherriesprayberry7533]

Wow so good 😊

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Sherrie

[@sherriesprayberry7533]

Your very welcome 😆

[@thevikingwolfpack836]

Would love to see this mold on your website to order with the others that I'm interested in ordering soon

[@alanrobertson2510]

This mold was made with clay and dimes. The 3D printed molds are way more affective than this one.

[@danhodgins4015]

The proof is in the pudding, Alan. Heads!

[@alanrobertson2510]

Thanks Dan

[@billy56081]

Heads!

[@1000-r3g]

Amazing! I would like to ask how much flour gold this mat design will catch? Flour gold is all i have around here ...

[@alanrobertson2510]

It will catch some of the gold for sure. This was before I had the 3D printed molds that will out preform this one by a mile.

[@1000-r3g]

@@alanrobertson2510 Hm. Guess its only one way to find out then ;o) I have to deal with the most obnoxious flour gold burried in loads and loads after loads of black sand. So im constantly looking for *THE* solution to this problem. And since you have been kind enough to explain that both gold and silicone are hydrophobe i have most confidence in silicone as material. Now "all" that's left is to find the correct mat design for the task at hand.

[@alanrobertson2510]

@@1000-r3g For super fine gold loaded in black sand I would say my hi low v mats would be the one that would work best I have ran beach gold on them and they work great if you want to make your own mold the mats I made using the legos is what I ran beach mining last spring and did ok with them. Good luck.

[@1000-r3g]

@@alanrobertson2510 Thank you for the reply! I still have to watch those video as i just discovered your channel. But im on to it :p) I did watch the lego video. That was my thought too. Actually im thinking honey comb but i believe the silicone wouldnt reproduce them in enough clarity. Plus there is tons of pre-fabriced honey comb materials out there allready. I must admitt i havent looked up yet if someone doesnt allready makes silicone honey comb for bees keepers. But the lego it is! Ill give that a shot before christmas as work hours will allow. I liked the idea instantly and if you recommend it as well then thats where i will start.

[@alanrobertson2510]

@@1000-r3g Good luck and have fun making the mats I do have a lot of information spread all over the place on the mats it started as just a idea and had no idea what I was doing to now we are a year into it and I love the mats and always improving.

[@dodgersfnshepard8673]

Brother you need to try and Patton some of these ideas before they get jacked from you by a big company. I've got a few ideas myself I'd like to see tested but fear big time stealing it if I upload it or send to someone like you for testing

[@alanrobertson2510]

I did talk with a patent attorney and it just wouldn't pay for the cost of getting the patent and then fight it if any one wants to copy it.

[@danielcrall9507]

Man.. Add cornstarch to the silicone when you make it.. Also add a little oil. No water and soap. You will see how amazing it looks and how easy is to make it into shape. Try looking for youtube videos for silicone and cornstarch.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Sorry no way I am using cornstarch been there. Glad you like that method

[@danielcrall9507]

@@alanrobertson2510 I am curious what are the problems with the cornstarch. Is the mat too hard after using cornstarch?

[@alanrobertson2510]

@@danielcrall9507 the fumes just about killed me

[@alanraleigh3379]

In mo were supposes to have fine glacier gold.what would be your recommendations on mats for this type.i was thinking on 2 of every mat you have used.

[@alanrobertson2510]

Hello Alan If you want to do all DIY I would think the drop riffle mat I made with the legos would work the best at caching the fine gold it worked well on beach gold. The molds that I am printing with the 3D printer are working out very well you can check out some of my recent videos if you want to check them out. Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@alanraleigh3379]

@@alanrobertson2510 thankyou.i got a old alunuim tank that's a rectangle that iam gonna cut into a a c channel sluice one will be about 5 ft the other about 3ft and iam assuming about 1ft to 1.5ft wide. Ill be using the stream for the wash gonna make some of the lego matts and some of the v mats.then a matt simlair to the dimes but with bottle caps.figured 2 to 3 matt types would help cacth the differnt types of gold or might shine better at the water flow provided..

[@alanrobertson2510]

@@alanraleigh3379 Sounds like a fun project. On the v mat make sure you press the silicone into the mold like I show in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpW5nIOkaMiUm6s and they should come out great. I agree the more profiles the better.

[@rickzelent4564]

Looks like a copy of dream matting

[@alanrobertson2510]

Not sure if that is good or bad but what I do no is that it catches gold.