Make a Gold Catching Sluice Box. Build your own sluice, get better gold recovery

[@coffeeguy2cup]

Your enthusiasm and expertise are unparalleled , and above all your simplified explanation and demeanor make it a pleasure to enjoy!

[@ChrisRalph]

Wow, thank you! Glad it was helpful.

[@1nvisible1]

*The 49ers 100 foot+ sluices had a man every five feet shoveling dirt in.*

[@deadeye_2020]

Are you a teacher? The way you explain everything and the way you interact throughout the explanation makes me think you are/would be an amazing teacher 👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Lots of teaches in my family, but me, no.

[@lag-techgaming1342]

i love the prospector community! everyone shares every piece of information they find as they want everyone to be successful

[@ChrisRalph]

I try to be helpful.

[@1212CRMD]

Nice! Your knowledge will be of great help for my new sluice, my 1st one ever, 2023! Greetings from Brazil.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad to help.

[@thomasfossett3345]

This was the best video I've watched in a long time. Most of these videos revolving around sleuths and gold recovery are created by people that are well-meaning but make you want to do your own root canals instead of watch them. Well done and thought out. I really enjoyed it.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it, and check out my other videos on sluicing.

[@EM-ig7ib]

I commented on Chris's latest video about sluicing. I had just started using my Keene and I knew I was losing the fines and nothing I tried was improving the recovery. . . . . So I came back to this video and decided to customize my box with the collection of only fine gold or "Flour Gold" specifically in mind . . . And I added 2 grams of fines to various different pay dirt varieties I encounter in CA, NV, AZ, and even the glacial till of Northern Michigan. with the help of this video, I am proud to say that not only was I able to get over 90% recovery on some off most difficult PD, but I was able to pull a few grams out of the back yard tailings I have accumulated over the last couple years. Without watching Chris's videos repeatedly, I was ready to just mothball my sluices and go back to the pans.. Many thanks to you Chris. You Da Man!!

[@ChrisRalph]

That is a very kind story. Thank you for that. I am glad to have been of help, and best wishes for your future efforts.

[@davevan1928]

I see people all the time go out and buy all the latest and greatest gadgets to catch the gold. And I always tell them everything will catch. Just learn how to use it. And 99.99% of the time you have to pan to get all the gold. So learn how to use what you have and you'll be better off. I love all your "how to " videos " you " have been in my tool box for about 8 yrs now. Thx for your series Chris

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@nhragold1922]

I'm slowly finding out how great of a geologist/ Prospector you are. I have made the decision to buy your book. Thank you for the knowledge. This is my winter job and every little bit helps.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks for the kind words. I think you enjoy the book!

[@amingharakhanlou5205]

Thank you P. Ralph I like you and your Hand made pan.....

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks.

[@pnwRC.]

I wish I would have seen this video a few years ago, when I was trying to make my own sluice box! I FINALLY broke down & purchased one that was mass produced!

[@ChrisRalph]

Well, make the sluice you have the best it can be.

[@ricgorgg]

They are usually important information. Thank you for sharing knowledge and giving hope to others. Thanks again and thanks.

[@ChrisRalph]

It's my pleasure, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@tunafish3216]

Thanks for the class on sluice boxing sir.

[@ChrisRalph]

You bet, glad you enjoyed it.

[@jeffburch1465]

funny how you've become one of the old timers with all the knowledge thanks for the share gold is where I'm headed I just enjoy the learn and the subject

[@ChrisRalph]

Becoming an old dude just takes time and staying alive - it will happen to us all.

[@GSProspecting]

nice info fam. class was great today. I sluice out with the Dream Mat. GOLD SQUAD OUT!!!

[@ChrisRalph]

Good stuff, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@shanelocke237]

GREAT INFO AGAIN CHRIS,I always look forward to seeing your new uploads.Also I hope you had a very merry Christmas and all the best for the new year.😃

[@allansgoldmining]

Fantastic lesson Chris! Packed with lots info!! Thanks for taking the time to explain all the details of sluice mechanics. Many will benefit greatly ! Best of luck to you !

[@ChrisRalph]

I enjoyed your latest video on sampling a new ravine. Glad you enjoyed mine!

[@haroldishoy2113]

Valuable information and wisdom, I particularly enjoy the old vintage photographs.

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@DaleDuffy]

Excellent, wish we had a tad more rain-water in AZ, but the drywasher works just fine...thanks again, Chris...!

[@ChrisRalph]

There are a few places with enough water in the Bradshaws.....

[@DaleDuffy]

@@ChrisRalph Usually, but not this year....can't remember the last time it rained, been several months

[@dayanmeepage8087]

Motivational lesson for making sluice box

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jasoncarr1764]

Made my first loose for $12. $10 for matting, $2 for nuts and bolts. $0 for scrap metal in my garage expanded metal from a friend fabrication shop.

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds like a great deal.

[@jasonlockhorst1505]

a generous person. thank you chris

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Frigateman]

Excellent tutorial on the how's and whys of having and possibly building a sluice box. A couple of thoughts from my experience with using various boxes for over half a century now may not be amiss here in your comment section. First thought, though perhaps I might have missed you mentioning this, is that you should explain that you want all catchment features like the riffles and even the expanded metal ribs to lean downstream, which then provides an eddy pocket behind them that is best for capturing gold. The Hungarian riffle, which you do mention but do not really describe, is an extreme example of this principle, and as such works really well. Next up is "riffles" running parallel to the water flow, which you mentioned as something the Oldtimers did, but you rather dismissed it as wrong thinking ... but it is not wrong when properly understood and used. Typically made from wooden poles in the old day, while angle iron or other bar stock is more typical today, what it does is allow larger material to be more aggressively shoveled into the head of a sluice, catching larger rocks and holding them so the mud and gravel on them can be washed off, while at the same time acting just as boulders do in a stream, as eddy causing gold traps. They also function as a "Grizzly" in that the material you shovel in on top of those captured rocks is more thoroughly broken up and washed off without causing any harm to the sluice itself. To be effectively used, it needs to be in a fair-sized sluice, and should probably be no more than about 1/4 of the length of the riffle section, right up at the head of the sluice where the water first gets channelized immediately after the funnel section. Hope my explanation here is understandable, and that you and others are able to grasp this concept, as it is actually a valid technique with good reasoning behind it! Cheers, Daniel

[@ChrisRalph]

Interesting stuff.

[@whatkenyan7684]

Remember when I told I am getting into prospecting from Kenya? well I did and found some ore in which you can see what I want to believe is gold in and not some pyrite now I am getting a hard time of find anywhere to assay it I intend to do it myself now. Also thanks for the info on sluice box as I am gonna need it soon and all your dedication to improve humanity.

[@ChrisRalph]

Best of luck to you in your prospecting efforts.

[@whatkenyan7684]

@@ChrisRalph Thank you.

[@whatkenyan7684]

@@biscuitsandgravy Sure, I will try that once I get it of the rocks. Thanks.

[@savagestacker]

Thanks for all your knowledge and help I read your book your book it’s my prospecting bible Went out yesterday to a place you had mentioned to go to and did well only had my gold bug pro a classifier and my Garrett super sluice pan Now it’s time to step it up and get me a sluice . already have my next trip planned Once again thank you 🙏 appreciate your time, knowledge and help !

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds great and like you are really getting the hang of the prospecting thing. Congratulations on your success.

[@davidvilla3243]

You always deliver such great thoughts,a proffesor at heart.Thanks,See ya later.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you kindly!

[@katherinedownover7927]

Thanks Chris just learning so was very informative .

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jdove6883]

Okay, after watching a bunch of your videos and learning you are a mining engineer you convinced me to buy your book. It is done. Next comes the reading. Hopefully this old dog, me, can learn some new tricks. And, yes I am subscribed too.

[@ChrisRalph]

Great to hear! I'm sure you will enjoy the book.

[@NUGGETSHOOTER]

Wish we had water here lol, love sluicing

[@ChrisRalph]

Yep, the sluice is not a great tool for the deserts....

[@michellerusso7510]

I just turned my sluice into a high banker and use a water recirculation system for use in the Arizona desert. We took it out yesterday and it worked perfectly!

[@wtfwhereami]

@@michellerusso7510 yea I was gonna say set up a recirculating system. I set mine up like that even though I live in Oregon, because sometimes you just want to sit on your porch. Work your solids in the field, process cons and beach sand at home.

[@Makobadger]

Ooh I built a cool one mine I'm a little secretive about thought smal but very effective at helping me prospect

[@ChrisRalph]

Locations are more secrets than sluice design.

[@gregsmith1116]

Thanks Chris. Good information. I have gold pans and scoops for metal detecting, but have not sluiced. I think I might look into it. Thanks!

[@ChrisRalph]

Go for it!

[@HeidiConanGoldProspecting]

Wow. Tons of great information sir. Truly greatful you share this with us. Cheers! ❤⛏

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the kind words.

[@PoppinPortraits]

Brilliant thanks Chris, we have bought plastic ones that match our grader and pans. It has riffles but I’ll be adding matting and EML so it’s more like yours.☝️👌

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds great - I've been using this one for years.

[@bobcansee]

Thanks, you got me excited again!

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad to hear it!

[@TheTrace12345]

I have really enjoyed this I’m from Canberra amd just starting out so Thankyou

[@ChrisRalph]

So glad to hear that!

[@thebentleysmart5867]

Thanks for making a new video👍 was hoping to see something from you. Thanks for making these as they have helped me in my prospecting. Keep up the good work Chris👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad to help!

[@MichaelJohnson-ux7pe]

A lot of nice info Chris thanks for posting this.

[@ChrisRalph]

You bet, Glad it was helpful.

[@stanleyosburn3296]

Thank you for your input, I injoy your post and information I am looking forward to getting your book I am recovering from a stroke and can't wait to get back to prospecting I am forced in to retirement and I need something to do I have done some dreging panting slusing I have even faond a large deposit of electrictrum that is under a mager freeway.

[@ChrisRalph]

Best of luck to you.

[@dallasedwards4260]

Thanks Chris for all your good ideas has helped me alot .👍

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnsmith-gk4td]

Another great video by Professor Chris!

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks again! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@kaningraja2145]

It's nice to listen your experience. Thanks bro.

[@ChrisRalph]

It's my pleasure

[@dodgygoose3054]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, love your vids. You have taught me so much, cheers mate from Australia.

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad to help. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jenintx42]

I was expecting a tutorial on how most people use a sluice box, followed by maybe a list of parts needed to make a basic box and then maybe different ways prospectors ramp up a sluice boxes and what those results are. I wouldn't know what I'd consider most important until I've used one.

[@ChrisRalph]

As I explained in the video, people make sluice boxes out of lots of different things wood, aluminum, steel, plastic and other things. SO I tried not to say it has to be made out of a certain thing as there are lots of possibilities.

[@puttingitogether2816]

I agree with you. It wasn't what I expected. The title is, "How to Make a Gold Catching Sluice Box. Build your own sluice, get better gold recovery". the background has a sign that says, how to make a sluice box. I was expecting a tutorial with a parts list. I perceive this video as click bait.

[@VagueMemory]

@@puttingitogether2816 He just told you exactly how to make it lol. You can see exactly what to get right there. Aluminum sheets for the body which is obvious how to shape it, pop rivets to attach body pieces is you make it in more than one piece, metal slats and some metal strips to make the riffles which you lay out in the shape of a ladder and weld in place (noting the angle they are at), wire mesh screen to go under the riffles and some miners moss to go under that. It is incredibly simple. Anyone with basic sense can go to a hardware store and get most of that stuff and then look at his close up of the sluice and see exactly how to put it together. He showed and told you exactly how to make one, it was not even close to clickbait. If you cannot figure out how to make something so simple with this video as a guide then you are going to have an even tougher time figuring out how and what to do in the field to prospect for and recover gold. Good luck.

[@Skilled4dathrill39]

im about to turn my sluice box into a high banker.. I'm going to be using large country street signs, like "road closed" and the arrow signs at turns, they are more than big enough. I'll be using bolts not rivets, with a stong adhesive when needed, and pvc pipe for the water sprayer. I like thhe detail so far ihis video, a little more than half way through.

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds like a good plan.

[@James-w6x9v]

Great show fantastic subject it's appreciated thank you

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Makobadger]

Oh Chris I made a cool synthetic one there where some Mozambiqueans that used superglue and Glas and rubber tube to make there own divng goggles I figured out thair secret and there goggles lasted for years I took rubber sheet and designed my own rubber mats and I must say I ran it for two years and I'm stil using it that Is in my first sluce system I built it started out as a smal high banker and it slowly turned into a smal floatation dredge🤣and that proto typ survived two robberys couse to the robbers it looked like scrap at the time and it has some history I use pool hoses on my dredge and it is stil so evective I love prospecting thanks Chris your a legend love your videos I'm learning so much

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@basitdarvlogs]

Hi Mr Chris Ralph I need your help in finding the gold

[@basitdarvlogs]

I want to contact you but i have no more information about you so i want to contact you

[@ChrisRalph]

I appreciate your interest, but I do not offer any services for personal training, consulting or advisement. I get many such requests and simply do not have time to help all who ask. I have many business and family commitments and simply don't have the time available. I do wish you the best of luck, but I am sorry that I cannot offer any help on that level.

[@geno145]

Thanks. Great information. I think I might be able to find some here in Idaho.

[@ChrisRalph]

There is some good gold in Idaho..

[@Smithsgold]

funny your sluice is alot like mine !!!!! Good video

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks!

[@timgrant8729]

Thanks for the info... I'm new into this and the panning only is killing me.. lol...

[@ChrisRalph]

We all start somewhere.

[@mindaugaszubrickas6615]

In many rivers you can find some mercury left from other prospectors. I think the plastic is the best matherial for sluicing box

[@ChrisRalph]

I've found a small amount of mercury that way.

[@okeyynnamgaming9827]

New subscriber here from phillipines sir, your videos inspired me a lot, i will test all what i've learned from your videos, tommorow i will try it on a creek near my barracks, this place is nearby an old volcanic caldera, hoping to can find something valueble🙏,,

[@ChrisRalph]

There is a lot of gold in some places in the Philippines.

[@okeyynnamgaming9827]

@@ChrisRalph positive sir, but i dont know if it is a silver or platinum, i got a 80/20 ratio in a tablespoon content of blacksand, but i dont know what if it is silver or platinum, hoping for ur advice

[@byronscott4537]

Hey Chris ! Really Do Appreciate Your Very Informative Video's Just getting Interested in Gold Prospecting ! Live In Weiser, ID, 60 Mi. North of Boise, ID ! Lots of Rivers ! Live right next to the Snake River ! Thanks So Much ! William B. Scott

[@ChrisRalph]

Good luck! and go find some gold!

[@byronscott4537]

@@ChrisRalph Thanks Chris ! W. Byron Scott

[@user-mm4to5tg8l]

Best explanation!

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you think so!

[@michiganprospectors]

This is the best, most detailed explanation I have seen so far about making a sluice box. I am trying to capture fine flour gold from black beach sand. I am having a hard time coming up with the best mat for this purpose. Its almost like trying to make a finishing sluice but for large quantities. Any suggestions on the best mat/combo?

[@ChrisRalph]

Miner's moss works well, but more important than any "magic" super mat is the speed of the water. If you want to recover fine gold you need to slow the feed water down.

[@michiganprospectors]

@@ChrisRalph Thank you for your reply. Been watching a lot of videos to learn how to refine my process better. I am also finding a flake of flour gold in every garden shovel of sand in my entire property. At the local lake I find a flake in every hand shovel. Hard to process tho. Panning is the best but so slow.

[@ebo360]

Does the depth of the water moving through the sluice matter if the speed isn’t too high? I think I heard someone saying that if the water is too deep it interferes with the swirling motion behind the riffles that keeps the heavies tucked in, but personal experience is that that isn’t always the case. I tend to not get too picky with fine tuning my sluice as long as it seems good enough. The theory is a bunch of time wasted getting really nit picky is time not processing material. This means sometimes I’ll go with a shallow flow that might be moving faster and a steeper angle. Other times I’ll have deeper flow with less of an angle. If it’s catching gold small loses are acceptable for time gained. In theory couldn’t the entire sluice be underwater if the flow is still moving material through?

[@ChrisRalph]

THe depth by itself is not important, depth and tilt makes lots of difference, as they determine the water speed.

[@ricardohall6259]

Just saved me a lot of money

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds good, glad I could help.

[@ricardohall6259]

@@ChrisRalph I am here in Panamá. Quite far from those goodies for prospecting. You gave me the key to my own sluice box. Veru useful. God bless.

[@Quan-ue2rr]

Nice 👍 video thanks 🙏 for sharing my friends have a wonderful day

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you , glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnruckman2320]

Do you have a video on making the upper box to make a Jobe 10" sluice with attached legs into a highbanker and/or highbanker combo, like adding in a dredge attachment or garden hose sprayer attachment. Something multiuse. I have a 2" water pump (chinese knockoff), but I'm not getting any younger so I was thinking maybe an electric water pump (probably submersible) of whatever size? Which, of course would be quieter.

[@ChrisRalph]

No John, I don't have any Jobe products or videos on them. They stiffed me for a couple hundred bucks back in the day for books I sold them.

[@johnruckman2320]

@@ChrisRalph, I was thinking of a how-to video on making them. I got mine from a guy who didn't know how to use it properly and didn't ask anyone plus he never used the pump. $80 for the set up.

[@myplace357]

What is your riffles tfay made out of please

[@ChrisRalph]

Do you mean riffle tray? - the tray under the riffles is sheet aluminum.

[@csomosss]

Hi Chris! Thank you for your videos, I learn a lot! i hope I will get to buy your book very soon! I would like to ask you what do you thinl about fluid bed sluices like Bazooka or Goldibox or Recon? Have you tried them?

[@ChrisRalph]

I have not because I think the regular sluices work just fine.

[@csomosss]

@@ChrisRalph thank you!

[@cgepartnership7454]

I understood what you meant about not making one from wood, but what would your thoughts be on plastic, acrylic for a portable sluice?

[@ChrisRalph]

There is a commercial plastic sluice, the LeTrap. It works great. Plastic and acrylic are fine, so long as you can make the sluice lightweight and sturdy.

[@gold-diggersanonymous1085]

Hello Chris, @22:50 you mention that you glued it down. Why not fix it with a clamp on each side? I used 2 small pieces of 90 degree angle alu profile to make 1 clamp, drilled 2 holes through both pieces, leaving a small gap the thickness of the side of the sluice between the 2 then in 1 hole bold them together, in the other hole put the metal pin through down vertically. at the bottom fix a small alu strip, ready is your clamp. then just slide over the side of the sluice to hold down your matting. no need to drill holes in your sluice, easy to remove, and hold down the mat perfectly, I use it in my sluice, works great! BTW, why is there a riffle all the way at the end of your sluice? that's not catching any gold, is it? Many thank for uploading your tutorial about the sluicebox all info helps to better understand!!

[@ChrisRalph]

To be honest, I was a bit lazy, and didn't want a clamp system just for that little bit up front.

[@lucasreid6335]

Just curious.....do you not have anything under your miners moss? Something for the gold to catch on somit can't wash out under the moss

[@ChrisRalph]

The moss is pressed down firmly against the aluminum by the riffles. Nothing flows out underneath - there is always a very fine silt that gets caught under the moss because it cannot flow.

[@jacobh707]

Great info and very entertaining 👏

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karlgraf2447]

I made a sluice box to use in the garage. I can bring the material home. How hard is it to clean the miners moss?

[@ChrisRalph]

It's not hard at all to clean miner's moss.

[@gmkwama8228]

Chris hi,very good and educative,especially for us in Africa,though hadn't ever thought doing so,now you force me by your teaching to go and start it,thank you Chris hope get more in future. Is the box suitable for crushed mountain rocks?

[@ChrisRalph]

It depends on the nature of the rocks.

[@savoielvis1]

Hi! i don\t see any point to make youre sluice box better than it is.....looks pretty good........and i am going to make my own similar to yourse .....thx a lot for all the info....:)

[@ChrisRalph]

Have fun! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jayreynolds702]

I'm wanting to build a gold rocker box what would you use for matting and would you put riffles and if so what kind of riffles

[@ChrisRalph]

I would use miner's moss as matting and put in riffles but I'd put in short ones.

[@jayreynolds702]

@@ChrisRalph first off thanks for replying to me most of the time I hear nothing back and I've commented alot and by short riffles you mean one's that don't reach the width of the box right? I've been contemplating on how I was gonna make riffles thanks again

[@ChrisRalph]

No, I mean riffles that are not tall - like they go up from the floor for maybe 3/8 ths of an inch - but they go from one side of the sluice to the other. I answer all my comments - even if its just "I liked this video".

[@jonc2276]

I’m going to try and build my first sluice out of wood with recycled materials in order to understand how to build them. Plus it’s free the way I’m doing it, yes I don’t live in a gold producing area but hey we’re is the fun in that.

[@ChrisRalph]

Best of luck to you.

[@HALIYALBETAGERIVLOG2024]

Very helpful information sir thank you very much👍

[@ChrisRalph]

Most welcome, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@coryenglish4392]

Great video!

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garyfouse7618]

AWESOME ideas THANKS

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words.

[@Mike-jq8xd]

Great job on this lesson .. i have recently been watching alot of your content and subscribed . The more i watch your content the more i see that you have a vast understanding of gold prospecting over many many years and across many forms of prospecting.. you dont just apply one form you have practiced multiple methods and also with your degree i value your opinion very highly..if you have time to awsner a few questions on a setup im trying to build it would be much appriciated.... i have been prospecting in new england for roughly 4 years and have found a good amount of gold in multiple rivers and streams even know new england is not known for high concentrations of gold... the gold i normally see is usually half grain of rice sized down to super fine.. the issue i have is i have a tendency of feeding boxes very fast and lose alot of fine gold ...i dont want to slow down the way i feed it so i need a bigger box and a different configuration that will handle throwing more material in... they currenty dont produce an off the shelf for what i need... im thinking 8 foot.. i built an 8 foot wooden box similar to what you did and used it for a year strait when i first started and found more gold then i do now with my store bought...so im a firm beliver the longer the box the better it works when feeding it fast...it also has to be portable because i hike into very remote areas to prospect... my solution is to make an 8 foot aluminum box that can be disassembled into 3 parts for easy backpack transport....it has to catch regular sized gold but i also have several blasting quarrys nearby and would like to run their tailings in search of the really fine stuff coming out of the blasted granite ledge so the box must be higher production but retain the super fine that i expect to find at those blast sites... im aware no box catches 100 percent do to different flow rates for different sizes of target capture but i think i have an idea that might work for both....after watching 100s of hours of vidieos on alot of different box setups for different applications and 100s of hours for different matting setups i realized the boxes they use at the beach for super fine gold are wide slow moving non agressive vs rivers are very aggresive riffles for larger gold.... so my plan is to make and combine both... start with a 4 foot long 8 inch wide top section ...this is for narrow deeper water and will have agressive bottom riffles then flair it out to another 4 foot section that widens to 12 inches to widen the flow and slow it down for the fine gold... do you have any suggestion on configuration? water flow?? Type of lineing in each section?? Matts ..moss? Smaller riffles? Do you even think it will work the way i think it will as far as increased gold capture?? Im confident i can make the 8 foot aluminum box but im not sure if all the energy to make an 8 foot flair out box will increase my fine gold capture but still allow me to run it quickly??? Thank you in advance for any input you may have and i apollogize for making you read this long message about my crazy folding 8 foot catch everything sluice..

[@ChrisRalph]

Aluminum is way better - especially for a longer sluice. The big thing for catching small gold is water speed. Yes, have some good miners moss under the riffles, but if the water is too fast, you will loose small gold no matter what the moss or matting you have. The problem with slowing water is the size of the rocks. With beach gold you have nothing but sand and tiny pebbles. No problem for slow waters to move them. You put in rocks the size of a walnut or golf ball and the water is not fast enough to move them through the box. Therefore, to catch the bulk of really fine gold, you need to screen the gravel down to something like a quarter inch or less and then move the water slowly through the box. Smaller riffles are better for small gold - but then again you need to screen.

[@ocelotjk4961]

So i was just wandering chris how do you find gold spots i live in the uk and im going looking for gold you know but yeah how do you find gold?

[@ChrisRalph]

I would suggest using Google. I really don't know potential spots in the UK.

[@GONE4GOOD79]

Great video thankyou 👍😎...

[@ChrisRalph]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TR-ju9zy]

Hi Chris. Thank you for the great info. I'm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan area. I have an old Keene A52 Sluice with miners moss from when I was stationed in Alaska. In your opinion, would using one of the matting systems be an improvement for capturing flour gold? For some reason, removing the riffle section does not make sense to me. I feel it acts a a scrubber to break up clay.

[@ChrisRalph]

No, I dont think putting in one of the super mattings would make it much better, in spite of the claims of the folks who sell them. On the other hand the matts work, I just dont think one would be a significant improvement over the other.

[@paulcoover9197]

Chris, Did I miss where you discussed angle? Or just judge it by the way the material moves through. I'm classifying some hard rock Powder. Can I run minus 100 through the sluice? Slower water? On angle someone said 1 to 2 inches a foot? I've got some small silver or platina( Little silver.) This is soooo small. I think it's mostly silver. Maybe the way I pound it. I have a much bigger pounder and pot. But my best material is minus 100 and plus 100 /minus 80. Do you have a good silver flux recipe? I read add some flour for a little carbon to keep the sliver from burning up. I'm getting too much temp. I'm going to slow it down and ease into it. I'm still worried about the Soda Ash burning up my silver or platinum. That or lye/ sodium hydroxide is the sodium chemicals I mentioned.. It thins and makes the smelt less acid. But I have heard that it harms silver and platinum.( Probably because sodium boiling point is before gold and silver. melts. Or very near that.) I need a good silver flux recipe.. Thanks for the great videos.

[@ChrisRalph]

The one or two inches thing is for normal river gravel. 100 minus should be run much flatter and slower than gravel with pebbles in it. Use just what it takes to push the material through the sluice box. With 100 minus gold you will lose some gold no matter what - a sluice is cheap but not intended for super fine gold. Second, before you do anything get an assay done to see what you actually have. Silver and platinum are almost never together in the same deposit. Without an assay, you are flying blind and have no idea what is happening or what you should be concerned with . Things that look silvery are often neither silver or platinum. Third - fluxes melt metals that are already metals. They are not used to extract metals from minerals. You need to do a lot of research and learning.

[@paulcoover9197]

@@ChrisRalph It is the element of sodium that is a metal. Thanks Chris. What has the specific gravity of 10.4 ? Don't tell me . Silver. Thanks again. PS. I have asked twice for your best silver flux recipe. If you don't have one, that's ok. Thanks.

[@ChrisRalph]

Paul - You keep ignoring everything I tell you, so what is the point of wasting my time? I tell you you need an assay - ignored. I tell you platinum and silver dont occur together - ignored. I tell you You need to do a lot of research and learning - ignored. I told you that you dont have any metallic sodium, you have a sodium salt. - ignored. I just use a 50-50 mixture of borax (sodium borate) and sodium carbonate as my flux. Its a very good flux and works fine. But it will not work for you because there is a 99.999% chance you dont have any silver and platinum. But you dont know that because you ignored my comment on getting an assay. Paul - I am done.

[@zugishere]

Any chance of making your book into an e-book with color photos? I'm really interested in your book but the black and white photos are going to make it really hard for me to make use of it.

[@ChrisRalph]

The programs with which e-books are made are designed for books with few or no illustrations (like novels) - they dont work for books with hundreds of illustrations. It could be done by PDF, but pdf's dont adjust well for smaller devices. About half the illustrations are B&W to start with so you would get no benefit there. Honestly, you would get little additional from the rest of the illustrations if they were in color - you've not seen the book and I put it together. I could have published it in color, but the price would have been about $100 a copy (color is much more expensive to print). So to sum up - I looked into it but decided it would not work.

[@zugishere]

@@ChrisRalph Yes, I'm familiar with e-readers... The idea is to read this on a tablet or computer. I'm just going on what the reviews said - that they found the lack of color pictures a problem.

[@ChrisRalph]

I've sold more than 11,000 copies, nearly all are delighted with the book. I got a couple complaints of B&W pics - A tiny, tiny percentage.

[@ranagesha7844]

Good video 👌

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you 👍

[@patticollins5606]

I'm Jess H. A beginner not knowing nut-in but I'm thinking that "miners Moss is similar to " 3M's Scotch Bright"? No? Also what's your thunk on my new "Garrett GoldMaster 24K ? I gave good $$$ for it new in the box but it's been raining or snowing ever since so we have been chopping at the bit ever since. Also found a " Bounty Hunter Professional" any good ? We are only interested I the Gold :):)

[@ChrisRalph]

no, its not similar to scotch brite. Its this stuff: www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Entrance-Scraper-Without-Backing/dp/B00SW0XMAA/ref=sr_1_9?crid=UTE45N7KXFD&keywords=spaghetti+weave+floor+mat&qid=1680064552&sprefix=spagett+weave+floor+mat%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-9 The bounty hunter is a good coin and jewelry detector but not good for nugget hunting.

[@jeremycanterohioprospecting]

I have a 12-ft long aluminum brake that I can make any sluice box I want with but mostly I designed small little cleanup sluices but I don't sell them I just make them for myself

[@jeremycanterohioprospecting]

I remember when gold Rush came out and I tried looking online to find out how to build my own sluice box they were all making them out of wood then and only a couple people were using sheetal aluminum but me being in a construction family that has aluminum brakes I made mine out of aluminum for the first time that was quite a while ago

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds great. Aluminum is the best for sluice boxes.

[@probong2053]

Good sir. I am planning a trip to Okanagan-wenatchee national forest this june. I am going to try the american river and bring a small sluice shovel and pan. Ive seen theres a hill there named gold hill and a gold mine up river from me. Are these good signs of a gold filled river/stream/creek? I know of a couple youtubers down river from my intended search area that have found small specks and flakes. Also when digging for paydirt do i dig as deep as i can? I know im supposed to hit bedrock. Is it obvious when u hit bedrock?

[@ChrisRalph]

Do you have permission to access the property? There are mining claims in the area.

[@probong2053]

@@ChrisRalph i read the rules the for panning in the national forest. Also how do i check for active claims? This would def point me in the right direction. But if someone has it claimed i cant really take their gold.

[@ChrisRalph]

Check out my videos on staking claims. They tell how to do claims research.

[@royguitar2000ify]

Good morning, Ralph! :-) Interesting video, as always! Thank you! In Italy, we use pretty shorter sluice boxes, because, as you well know, the gold will be catched into the first two or three traps. But I can see, all over the prospecting sites, sluice boxes one and a half meters long, really bigger than yours!!! I think it is quite useless, and just funny... :-)

[@ChrisRalph]

If you operate properly then short works, but if you have problems, the longer length can be a safety.

[@Deiity]

Anyone know what brought The Gold Deposits into Southern Ontario Marmara, Peterborough area?

[@ChrisRalph]

Google "abitibi greenstone belt" this is a region of gold bearing rocks that stretches across Southern Ontario.

[@jeffreyevalt4408]

Awesome 👌

[@ChrisRalph]

Thanks 🤗

[@MerchantMarineGuy]

You can’t get a car that Carry’s 8 people, gets 45 mpg, does a 1/4 mile fast…Rivian R1S has entered the chat

[@ChrisRalph]

Well, not really. My neighbor has a Rivan. You can't legally put 8 in them. They don't really get any miles per gallon as they are electric. Yes, electric cars accelerate fast but I doubt you'd win a quarter mile race.

[@fritzschwanserhauser2266]

I'd like to use a llama or 2 to carry some of the more awkward and large ramping, then a guy could still carry his food and drink into the back country!

[@ChrisRalph]

I've been in the back country and seen other people using llamas that way!

[@fritzschwanserhauser2266]

@@ChrisRalph Well, if a fellow has a wife, she'll do just fine with the carrin'!

[@jbowerman50]

Chris, I was wondering, have you ever seen a sluice fabricated out of stove pipe? Yes I know it will probably rust away unless its stainless, but I'm curious as to how well that would work.

[@ChrisRalph]

Most sluices are fabricated as flat bottomed - nearly all are that way because it provides for better catching of the gold.

[@razalokcafromthebay6617]

Hello sir like your info and education on how to find gold and diamonds how can o get in touch with you to show you wat I have and see if u can give me ur opinion?thanks

[@ChrisRalph]

I get so many, many requests for personal help, advice, training, review, mineral ID, etc. I simply cannot get involved with all the requests. I have plenty of my own projects to work on. Sorry. Take a look at this video and learn for yourself how to ID rocks and minerals - kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6HOiGhuj8qEosU Best of luck to you.

[@Makobadger]

Garnet and iron blocks my rifles up a lot we have huge amounts of pig iron here but nice platinum along with some very shiny gold not a whole lot though but deep in the crevices so panning here is a waste of time unless i remove some over burden to expose some hard packed kobles if I pan that I usually find a small piece but if set up my banshee system I get through to the good stuff quite quickly

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds good.

[@rikiray3370]

Thank you

[@ChrisRalph]

You're welcome

[@bensaadabdessamed9308]

I think this methode is way better than crushing rocks in mills and stuff like that, all what you need is to learn geology lessons

[@ChrisRalph]

depends on how rich the rocks are...

[@brunocassivi4979]

Today i found my first rich gravel_aur . Wowwww ill send later on . I go back and continuing empty the pocket

[@brunocassivi4979]

Thanks you very much

[@ChrisRalph]

Good for you, congratulations.

[@brunocassivi4979]

Your experience , your professionnalisme . @nd your passion make @ll the diferency . Gr@titude a lot.

[@catherinematlock4271]

I have a question for you. Was it worth getting certified in geology.

[@ChrisRalph]

I've enjoyed geology myself for many decades. Cant say what might or might not work for you.

[@catherinematlock4271]

Thank you.

[@GiftedBrendaTV]

nice one.

[@ChrisRalph]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@sunkad2007]

Thanks

[@sunkad2007]

From india thank you

[@ChrisRalph]

You are welcome.

[@paulbegley1464]

I really do love your videos and always look forward to them. I've already turned a friend on to your channel and that's something I usually don't do and there are very few channels I would do that for. Don't change a thing. PS. How is the prospecting up around Modoc Nat Forest, I have been thinking about going up there and do some rabbit hunting and bring my metal detectors along.

[@ChrisRalph]

Most of the Modoc is buried in younger basalt rocks that have no gold - a very few places have windows through to the older rocks underneath and one or tow of those have some gold, but the gold in that area is very, very limited. I don't think you would have much opportunity for your detector.

[@paulbegley1464]

@@ChrisRalph thank you very much. I had a feeling that was it, I looked at a gold map on line and there didn't seem to be many claims up there. O well I guess it will just have to be rabbits then. Good eating.

[@garyfouse7618]

I have tried a frisbee for a gold pan

[@ChrisRalph]

It should have worked, maybe not great, but it should have worked.

[@williamgary7891]

I'm going to use hard plastic 😊

[@ChrisRalph]

Sounds good.

[@shaunsprinkle2424]

So dose anyone know if there may be trace amounts of gold I the Clinton river I’m mount clemens mi or Clinton twp /sterling hights Michigan

[@ChrisRalph]

I'm not sure, but why don't you just go out and take some samples and pan them out to see for yourself (of course after things warm up and the snow melts).

[@shaunsprinkle2424]

I am definitely going to check it out. I’m just trying to see where I can go that is around that area. I can’t venture out too far because I have never done it before so I just wanted to get some practicing. I work at a welding fabrication shop, so I was thinking of trying to make a loose box.

[@PatrickWilson-v3d]

There is a place called ( Well I won’t read rules by unfairly naming a Prospectors equipment shop.) I’ll say Prospectors Paddock…. Anyways the market in metal detecting has BOOMED and will continue to Evan get bigger. That’s a great thing for the industry plus everyone as it now shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to enjoy prospecting. Selling a Sleuth box for $300 that’s cool ? Considering it could pay one back pretty quick no problem. But to see the exact same model online for $57.00 plus $22.50 post in Australia. This is sadly why companies particularly old school ones are struggling to understand that this behaviour will and is seeing the end of traditional business. They have great buying power and need to see the light or the news ain’t great. It’s unreal in a time when business is seriously booming. Cheers yeah buddy make one to suit your area plus make it THAT IF THE GOLD IS ON YOU CAN. HANGE OUT NO DRAMA. COULD EVAN COME UP WITH AN IDEA THAT JUST. IGHT MAKR YOU BIG BUCKS FOR SOME CLEVER INNOVATIONS. 👍👍👍

[@ChrisRalph]

The price of gold has gone up and it's creating interest.