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Goldpan Site
Instructions for building a 'Wildcat Irish Gold Sucker' (WIGS) to clean those gold laden underwater holes and crevices. Photos later. KJ Hilliard version 7.28-98 5.23-98 4-98.
Features:
easy to carry gold sucker that costs less than $ 30
build several end caps with different sizes/lengths of sucker probes
The WIGS gold sucker uses common parts to create the vacuum chamber,
plunger system (usually known as the 'piston') and end cap (with sucker
probe). A tennis ball is mounted and compressed on the plunger shaft to
fit snugly inside the 2 1/2 " pvc pipe. When the plunger shaft is
pulled a very good vacuum is created to draw material through the
sucker probe into the vacuum chamber. This gold sucker will easily draw
dried, black sand.
The material is trapped inside the chamber because the sucker probe
extends inside the vacuum chamber. When the plunger is pushed, the
water and light materials are expelled and heavy materials are trapped
inside the vacuum chamber around the internal portion of the end cap.
Trapped materials are removed by unscrewing the end cap and dumping the
trapped materials in your pan or pail. Rinse the threads before
rescrewing the end cap on the 2 1/2 " pipe.
Feedback:
suggestions - problems - questions - email to goldpan@jps.net, or use MAILTO.
I intend to email notice of major revisions
Parts:
2 1/2 " pvc pipe
2 1/2 " pvc male adapter (slip joint attaches to 2 1/2 " pvc pipe leaving male threads for end cap)
2 1/2 " end cap (female threads)
1/2 " pvc pipe 10'
1/2 " pvc end cap (slip joint)
pvc cement (get the all in one type)
sealant (use epoxy that is suitable for pvc pipe; this will ensure a hard structure and good seal)
(do not use silicone, goop or other type that remains flexible)
tennis ball (s) (appproximately 2 1/2 " od)
1/8 " cotter key
washers (min. 3/4 " id and max. 2 " od; I am using 7/8 " id & 1 3/4" od by 1/8 ")
two, light duty 3 " C clamps (for use in the field)
two 3/4 " couplers - each with female threads - one with male slip - other with female slip
two, 3/4 ", male threaded sprinkler nipples - 6 " and 8 - 12 "
reducer from 3/4 to 1/2 (for smaller diameter probe)
hole saw with pilot drill (I used 1")
Vacuum Chamber:
cut the 2 1/2 " pvc pipe to 3'
cement the slip joint of the 2 1/2 " male adapter to the 2 1/2 " pvc pipe
Plunger System for Vacuum Chamber:
Plunger Shaft:
cut 1/2 " pvc pipe to 4 ' to make the plunger shaft
cement 1/2 " end cap to 4' section of pvc pipe
drill two, 1/8 " holes, at 90' angles, 2 and 2 1/4 " from the 1/2 " end cap
(tennis ball will be compressed and held in place by washers, cotter key and end cap)
Tennis Ball:
use hole to cut a 3/4 or 9/16 " hole in the tennis ball (center the holes; the holes must be smaller
in diameter than the od of the 1/2 " pvc pipe; you probably should clamp the
tennis ball between two small 2 x 4 's to drill the holes; use a quality hole
saw to obtain a smooth edge that will form an air tight seal around the plunger)
Note: You can not cap both ends of the plunger (the 1/2 " pvc). The second end must
unchanged so that later washers
can be added or removed as necessary
Plunger Assembly:
slide a washer onto the plunger to rest against end cap (minimum 1 washer each side of tennis ball
next slide on the tennis ball (it must fit snugly on the plunger shaft to maintain an air tight seal)
then another washer and insert cotter key in one of the cotter key holes
add or subtract washers as necessary to compress the tennis ball so that it fits
tightly against the inside surface of the 2 1/2 " pvc pipe
when at the river you will need the 3" C clamps to compress the tennis ball
to adjust for wear and maintain a tight seal between
the tennis ball and inside of the 2 1/2 " 3' pvc pipe
Cap System for Sucker Probe:
use 1" hole saw to cut hole in the 2 1/2 " end cap. clean. file to tight fit.
slide female slip joint through hole.
slide male slip joint on female.
(alternative - use two couplers with female threads and male slip joints)
(use short pvc to join couplers)
use epoxy to fasten slip joint and build up material around the end cap for additional support
epoxy must be suitable for pvc
(don't use pvc cement for cap; epoxy can be built up to provide more structure)
attach the nipples.
(use plummer's tape until you have the length you want; then pvc cement)
I have about 6 " inside. about 8 - 12 " outside.
since the couplers are threaded, you can easily change probe lengths.
use the reducer to change from 3/4 to 1/2 " probe.
Tip: Use 3/4 inch PCV pipe. A long 1/2 inch probe tends to plug inside the probe section
where there are course materials 3/8 " to 1/2 ".
A 3/4 inch pvc 2 to 6 inches works well.
Other Locations for Crevice or Gold Suckers:
A Yabbie Pump in action at Nanango's Seven Mile Diggings, South East Queensland.
Danny the Dredgers Gold Prospecting Page - Australia.
Gold Suckers Gold Pump drawn by Chris Engel in Scotland.
Minin Gold Main Page
Minin Gold Gold Pump Page
5.0-98:
Major revision. New parts and system stronger. Easier to built.
Easier to change probe lengths. PVC suitable epoxy allows for solid
seal and build up to provide great support for probe.
Cap System for Sucker Probe:
cut 1/2 " pvc pipe to length of 13 " for the sucker probe
(note: for longer probe, use more than 13" - a 20" 1/2" pvc => 14 inch probe)
drill 3/4 " hole in the end cap
cement and seal the 13 " sucker probe to the end cap so that the sucker probe will extend 5 1/2 "
inside the vacuum chamber and leave about 7 " outside
for probing those gold laden crevices and holes
I suggest cutting some 3/4" pvc into two, 1 " width sections. Place these on the probe
so that there is one on each side of the end cap. This will provide more
surface for cementing and sealing the probe to the end cap for stability and a tight seal.
you can build several caps with different lengths/sizes for the sucker probe
instead of using the threaded, 2 1/2 " male adapter, an end cap (with slip joint)
can be used. However, the end cap will sometimes fall off when you'r
working the stream and the cap is difficult to remove when clogged with sand
you can build several end cap systems. I do not know what the maximum length is for
the portion of the probe outside of the vacuum chamber. With 7 "
extending outside of the end cap I can easily suck up completely dry materials.
Goldpan Site - Gold Nuggets.
bravenet.com
