Using a Sluice Box

The sluice box in its simplest structure can consist of a 12 foot long board of 1 by 2 inch pine lumber, and the sides that are generally just about 10 to 12 inches in height, are nailed with braces held at a number of places across the top. Bigger sized sluices can be made with strips of wood to cover up joint in between boards where the gold could fall out, and with support built around the exterior part of the box for improved firmness. A sluice is very easy to use. All that needs to be done is set the head at a position that is a little more elevated than the tail. This can be done by setting the angle at ten degrees to begin with and see if that works. A channel will then need to be dug so the tailings coming out of the bottom do not build up and cause it to get in the way of the flow of the water. The head needs to be set close to the stream so that you are able to send some of the water in the stream into the sluice, and then you will need to shovel dirt inside the head end through the growler. The water will take care of washing the dirt away while the gold will get stuck in between the riffles. You will need to go on with shoveling and sluicing until the sluice is full of. After the sluice is full or you are tired, you can stop the water and the get gold out and this can be done by either picking it out or by scraping the sand out from behind the riffles and then passing it over to the pan to pan it. Inside the sluice box, a diverse range of riffles can be used, depending on the convenience of the material and whatever is preferred. The riffles, which go on the bottom, are frequently set slantways in the box, but they can also be practical when they are placed lengthwise. They may be made out of wood, or of strap or angle iron, or an arrangement or combination of both of them. Straight, round poles or a pattern of square blocks or stones can be used as riffles as well. Rubber or plastic strips have also been used. One thing that is very important when using a sluice box is stability especially in cases when one is going to get involved in longer operations, therefore wood can be reinforced with metal. Expanded metal, heavy wire screen, or cocoa mats all serve as very good quality riffles for gathering fine gold.