Trommels

[chickenminer]

Dick,
I totally understand the concept of bigger bills as I'm a purchasing agent for Ch2M Hill on the slope for the HD shop.. I buy LOTS of parts for our dozers, excavators, tractor/trailers, water trucks, vac trucks etc.. I've got alot of ground that I need to test and need to move into a different field. After all.. need something to do when the river is flooding.

A small 311B w/Trommel would work nicely for me.

Brian,
Well that sounds like a sweet way to start off. Not difficult to build a medium size trommel. You ought to be able to find a short piece of heavy 36"-48" dia pipe for a barrel and go from there. Scrubbing section doesn't need to be terribly long, just have plenty of screen section. Buying a factory built one is out of the price range for most of us and scrounging up the parts and pieces to build one is not a bad way to go.
Good luck with your endeavors!

[chickenminer]

Hi Dick,
Nice setup! But how do they keep the oil flowing with that big a section of pipe missing?

I guess they haven't noticed yet

[Brian Berkhahn]

If I had the room and knowledge I would love to try to build one, the setup that I posted would be perfect for my place.
Curious question.. I noticed on your pictures that you had some big nuggets that looked way to big to go through the screen on your trommel. Did you see them on the ground or pick those out of your tailings? That's the only thing that scares me about a Trommel is the bigger stuff just shoots out the end so what if you get a nice nugget.

I promise not to tell anyone up here where the missing piece of the pipeline went to.

Brian

[Allen in MT]

If there is anyone on this fourm that is from the Montana area, I'm looking for a trommel rated about 80 to 100 YPH with a good scrubber on it. Into some bad clay.
Allen in MT

[Vance in AK]

Hey Brian, not sure just how big a unit you want but have you looked at the larger units (largest maxs out at 30 yph) these guys put out?
http://www.goldclaimerbrand.com/

[chickenminer]

Curious question.. I noticed on your pictures that you had some big nuggets that looked way to big to go through the screen on your trommel. Did you see them on the ground or pick those out of your tailings? That's the only thing that scares me about a Trommel is the bigger stuff just shoots out the end so what if you get a nice nugget.
Brian

Brian,
The creek I'm working on isn't know for big nuggets. My largest was 1-3/4 oz. I have 1" mesh wire screen in my trommel. It has passed 1-1/4 oz nuggets with no problem. Of course you would need to tailor your setup accordingly if larger gold was an issue. I had a section of big hungarian riffles in the throat of my feed plate/hopper for such a reason. Last time I rebuilt my hopper though I took it out as it was serving no purpose for me.
You work the odds, can't fret over everything
BTW ... I run my washplant alone 99% of the time, so I try to keep things basic and simple.
I have some footage of my operation over the last couple years that I'm putting together into a DVD.
If you would like a copy Brian let me know. It would give you some idea of the capabilities of a trommel plant.

[Brian Berkhahn]

Dick,
I would like to get a copy of that from you.. let me know when it's ready and I'll buy one from you.

Never thought about having a nugget trap before it went into the trommel.. that's a good idea.

Brian

[DanAk]

Dick,
I am about to build 2 small plants for this summer, seeing the pic's posted here has me thinking I may build trommel plants.

A few questions, How many yards per hour are you putting thru yours ?
Do you have any pic's of the inside of the tube to share ?
How many rpm should one turn ?
What is the length of your trommel ?

Thanks, Dan

I will build 2 plants that will run aprox 20 yph each with belt auto feeders, I'm trying to decide what size pipe I need to find, probably 24 to 36 inch pipe I am thinking.

[Brian Berkhahn]

Hey Dan,
Glad to see you made it here...

This is a really good thread!

Brian

[chickenminer]

Brian,
I'll try to get this DVD stuff wrapped up in the next week or so and send you a copy. Shoot me a PM with your mailing address.
Now remember ... this is my first attempt at digital video editing and this Sony Vegas Pro 8 software has one heck of a learning curve to it !

~Dick~