Hello Group, To anyone interested: My name is Paul, I live just outside atlanta, in east point,GA.
I recently decided to build my own unit based on the Gold Hog Viper with a few changes and a few tricks up it's sleeve. Will talk about those as the build progresses.
Why do it myself? Nothing against Gold Hog or any of their machines or products, I'm using their mats.
2 things-- cost, and the challenge of the build. 1st the cost
Researched for about 2 months and found that I could aquire all material (alum sheets,rods,connectors,etc) and parts, including Gold Hog mats, pump, hoses, dredge conversion (hoses,nozzle,etc.), pvc for plumbing,legs and brackets, everything I need to fabricate this for just under the price of a Viper unit ($1285 plus shipping) which does not come with pump or hoses.
2nd the challenge, I'm a retired (med reasons) custom woodworker, 30 yrs at the bench under my belt. I really miss the challenge of a project, and the details and technical issues, so this fits the bill, and it will help me find gold which is the goal in the first place. Milling aluminum (of which I have done alot in my carreer) is not much different than wood as you use the same carbide tooling, just different feed rates. Besides, bending and mitreing and custom fabricating is my specialty.
I have started a photo album in the gallery "my highbanker/dredge combo build", I will post pics of my processes and progress, as I go.
I can't get back into the shop where my workspace is until the 2nd (closed for the holidays) so until then I only have one pic posted. Thanks for your interest. All comments and questions welcomed. Paul/Nodnor the Wise
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Hey everybody, Got all my sluice bodies and my boiler box bent today.
The method I used is to clamp a thick piece of hardwood about a 1/16” away from the score opposite the edge you want to bend, then clamp 2 straight edges along the edge to be bent, I used long handle clamps for extra leverage, I did mine in 2 bends in case bending it a full 90 deg at once might put more stress on the outside edge. Then had to use a large rubber mallet down near the edge to get it to that final 90 deg.
My boiler box was done pretty much the same way, I cut the drop thru hole and the side flaps with a jig saw before the sheet was bent. stopped the score for the bend just past the cutout so the down flaps would bend at the same time the sides did.
Did a temporary set up just to see if it all fit. Next step is bending end caps, and attaching them. I've added new photos to my album.
http://www.goldprospectorsspace.com/photo/album/listForOwner?screen...
Paul
Hey all, posted the latest pics in my album. Got all the parts for the HB bent, all that's left to bend now is the 2 flares for my stream sluices. Got my end caps, the joint plate and extension plate for the tail end bent and drilled.
Especially proud of my reverse riffle, it came out quite nice and was really easy to figure out and bend. Paul
http://www.goldprospectorsspace.com/photo/album/listForOwner?screen...
Hello All, Just an update on my project. Got everything cut and ready to bend. Since I don’t have a metal brake and my sheet is .125 (1/8”), I’m using the score and fold technique. Here’s a sample I did with some of my scrap. The scores are approx 1/3rd the thicknes of the metal deep and 1/8” wide. After bending wanted to see how solid it was and try to un bend it, it took more force to unbend it than it did to bend it. So not worried about rigidity. I did get some 2 part alum epoxy from Mcmaster-Carr to fill the gaps and bond the corners. I love the sharp 90 deg inside corner this makes. added more pics to my album. Paul
http://www.goldprospectorsspace.com/photo/album/listForOwner?screen...
post pics of my processes and progress!! yea!!!! Looking forward to seeing your combo take shape post lots of pics!!
Thanks Lloyd, will do!
Hey all, just posted some new pics of my project, was just able to get in the shop to use the table saw today and got all my blanks cut to size. That beast handled the .125 alum sheet like butter, of course a good sharp blade helps also.
Won't be able to get back in till monday to start bending boxes.
Hi Paul, I'm also a custom woodworker, over 37 years experience, building custom cabinets for high end resort homes at present, I also was born and raised in Atlanta, I living near Hilton Head S.C. now, I will be looking forward to seeing your project progress.
Skip
Hey Skip, Sorry it took so long to get back to you, alot of stuff going on. I've been doing high end commercial and bank fixtures with alot of solid surface and granite fabrication thrown in, over the past 30 yrs,but med reasons slowed me down, so (medically) retired now, and hunting gold. Keep in touch, maybe get together some time to do some prospecting. Paul
yep benice to what ya built!. I like to build things also build my first one few years ago and it works supper.
You're right Lloyd, I'll be nice to it. This will be my only piece of "big" equipment, it'll have to last me for a while. That's why I went heavy duty with the material, I wanted something that could withstand the rigors of packing, travelling, unpacking, running material, and all the abuse these machines take. So as the Gold Hog units are made with either .090 0r .100 alum, I have upgraded to .125 so it's stouter. To be honest this machine has to last the rest of my life.
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