Angus Mackirk AU Trap advice

[elbowgrease]

Hi Folks

Well my Angus Mackirk AU Trap finally arrived and I'm as keen as mustard to get out there and give it a shot this weekend.

I'll be heading up to Eldorado to give it its maiden test run but before I let my over enthusiasm get the better of me does anyone have any tips on getting these things dialed in?

I've never had or used a sluice of any type before in fact other than youtube clips I haven't even seen one working in real life.

If it makes any difference its the biggest of the AU traps the "Boss" model.

The spot that I've been frequenting at Eldorado has a section of shallow quick flowing water close by just downstream, so do I just build up rocks underneath it to get the right water height through the sluice and go for it? Also how do you get an idea of how fast is too fast for water flow? Some of the youtube clips I've watched the water appears to be moving quite slowish and others look as though they have a raging torrent going through their sluice.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance
Adam

[curtislowe]

The only advice I can give is to make sure to classify your material, 1/4 inch, I have found that to be the best. Other then that, you pick it up by just doing it...the Mackirk sluices basically do all the work for you. I've got a Mackirk Grubsteak and it works great.

Good hunting

[pioneer]

Mate I have this sluice. Best thing to do is to put it in and have a go. You will see how it needs to be setup, too slow it won't clear out, too fast it won't retain anything. I think the rule is about an inch of drop per foot of sluice. So around 3-4 inch drop should be sweet. If you put a 1" rock in the end of it and it rolls it out the other end your setup perfect.

You will see black sands accumulating in the first 2 riffles and nugget traps. Throw a pan under the end of it to check for any lost gold, then adjust accordingly.

You can classify the material 1/2 inch should be ok, but I never bother too much just pick out the boulders and it will do the rest.

Hope this helps

[keepdiggin]

The only way is to experiment with what works best for you, if your working in clay be careful clay doesnt roll over nuggets and make em dissapear..... you will quickly get the hang of it, i tend to build up a water way for the entry but more for an even flow, if the water is low ill classify material but ive foung gold with and with out classifying, if you dont chuck the pan under the drop off, maybe dig a furrow or small hole for a drop out and every two or 3 times you clean up the sluice run a shovel or two of the washed out material through just to be sure, sometimes even the nicest nugget will slp through the net, so to speak.
other than that i hope you find it works for you like it does us and by the sound of it, its a popular thing to have
Keep Digging ;D ;D ;D

[kajana]

Hey elbowgrease
I have a mckirk au love it ! easy to carry quick clean up the guys have pretty much covered it .I classify to 1/2 inch normaly but have found ya can classify down smaller for less water flow and larger for more flow you can try droping some lead shot or lead shavings in ya material ,keep count of how many and where they are in the sluice.
Have fun

[elbowgrease]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'm about to head off for the day so I'll let you all know how it goes!!!

Cheers
Adam

[Djpearson]

Home yet EG? how'd you go?

[Ric]

G'day elbowgrease

Where did you get your Mackirk sluice? Locally or did you import from the US?

What model is it?

Cheers Ric

[elbowgrease]

DJ - I've posted up in the "Your Photos" section with a couple of pics + a link to a short video which I put up on YouTube. Overall very happy with the sluice especially since it was my first time ever using one. One thing I can definitely say... HOLY COW does it save you doing a lot of panning.

Ric - I got my sluice from www.prospectingsupplies.com.au . Myself along with 2 mates from work (all new to prosepcting) ordered a sluice each, the guy from prosepctingsupplies was very very helpful with explaining stuff and his prices seemed good so I was happy to order from him. I went the bigger "Boss" model the two other guys got the "Recon" model.

[headsup]

Hi people , does anyone sell a head box for the angus Mckirk sluices so you can put a hose straight onto it , or do people make their own ?

if any of you have done that which pump do you use ?

thanks

[donnybrook]

With slow shallow water flow just get some black concreters plastic or similar. Build a small rock weir to suit your sluice width. Lay your plastic over it and add some more rocks or gravel from behind to that. It should increase your flow and/or water velocity. Don't forget to pull it up when done. A lot of our mates on the forum are also fishermen; to allow fish passage.
donny