johnhudd Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 Hi,I'm new to this forum, and to prospecting. A few years ago I tried building a dry washer because I wanted to try desert prospecting. I never really had a chance to go, but I want to try again. I pulled out my dry washer and realized that it has many problems. I'll post some pictures. I know it's not very good, so please, no laughing. I got the plans out of a book.Some questions: what do you use to make an airtight seal between the bellows and riffle tray, and how do you clamp them down? How do you make a riffle tray out of wood? I tried using glue, but it's not strong enough. It's hard to be precise enough with screws. What about the bottom frame? I think I will just build a completely new riffle tray. I have washer as spacer between the frame. Should I use something else?If I could restart I would completely change the design, but I would like to save this one if it's possible. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to save this one. Any suggestions at all would be appreciated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 You can use the foam tape made for window and door seals to make an airtight fit at the tray to box like on my Keene I would think and looks like you can make that one work, I think is is a pretty good job from what I am seeing and I am sure others will offer some help on this....A small clamp will work to hold the tray to the bellows box as in this diagramFrank has got this down to a science and if you do a search for his posts on building drywashers you will get some good info and I believe there is one in this section if you look back a ways... Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhudd Posted July 1, 2013 Author Share Posted July 1, 2013 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I think you can buy such clips at Home Depot or similar, the ones like old trunk clamps work well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank c Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 " Sam Radding" is the authors name and he has a few books out there with easy to follow plans to get rollin.And buy the "sponge rubber" weathersealing type tape for the bellows seal it is better than foam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucket Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 You can use the foam tape made for window and door seals to make an airtight fit at the tray to box like on my Keene I would think and looks like you can make that one work, I think is is a pretty good job from what I am seeing and I am sure others will offer some help on this....A small clamp will work to hold the tray to the bellows box as in this diagramFrank has got this down to a science and if you do a search for his posts on building drywashers you will get some good info and I believe there is one in this section if you look back a ways... Welcome to the forum!Beleee dat!!! Welcome John. Hey Frank I just got back from BHC...are you kidding me? 122!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnhudd Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share Posted July 4, 2013 I live in Bullhead. Gotta love the 100+ Summers! I used a rubber gasket maker for the seal. do you think that it okay, or should I remove it and use weather stripping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucket Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) Replace it if it blows out, but try it first, you might find yourself having to tweek various things here and there anyways so keep moving forward. Hopefully it's starting to cool a little by now up there, that last weekend was SMOKIN HOT!!!! Edited July 5, 2013 by Bucket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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