Seeing how a full bucket of sand filled the sluice, I don't think I'll run more than a bucket at a time. However, when I observed how the material moved with the flow of water in the sluice and created little holes and sandbars, it was really quite a lesson for me.
When the black sand appeared, because of its higher weight, it gathered together in streaks as it moved along the top of the sand until settling out somewhere. It seemed that when the water level became shallower as it filled with sand, it worked the material better than when it dropped deeper toward the end of the sluice. I think if I have about an inch of water over the sluice at an even grade, instead of 2 or 3 inches, that would be the best angle for the flow rate.
After that bucket runs through, I'll bring the sluice back up to the house to clean with the hose. Based on the last clean up, the fine carpet I use for a mat might need a power washer to clean completely. I'll try that, I have a small power washer that would do the trick. I'll time the clean up part of the process, but I suspect that will add another hour with panning the material from the sluice added in, maybe a bit more.
If I streamline the entire process down to two hours per bucket and can reach my goal of 12 flakes per bucket , that has me produce 6 flakes per hour.
When the black sand appeared, because of its higher weight, it gathered together in streaks as it moved along the top of the sand until settling out somewhere. It seemed that when the water level became shallower as it filled with sand, it worked the material better than when it dropped deeper toward the end of the sluice. I think if I have about an inch of water over the sluice at an even grade, instead of 2 or 3 inches, that would be the best angle for the flow rate.
After that bucket runs through, I'll bring the sluice back up to the house to clean with the hose. Based on the last clean up, the fine carpet I use for a mat might need a power washer to clean completely. I'll try that, I have a small power washer that would do the trick. I'll time the clean up part of the process, but I suspect that will add another hour with panning the material from the sluice added in, maybe a bit more.
If I streamline the entire process down to two hours per bucket and can reach my goal of 12 flakes per bucket , that has me produce 6 flakes per hour.
A trail goes two ways and looks different in each direction - There is no such thing as a timid woodland creature - Whatever does not kill you leaves you a survivor - Jesus is NOT a bad word - MSB