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How to Build a Sluice Box for Gold Panning

A sluice box is among the oldest tools used by gold prospectors. It makes use of the fact that gold is heavier than other materials. The sluice box is usually a wooden or metal trough that materials are shoveled into while water washes through the assembly. The water carries away the lighter materials while depositing the gold in the bottom of the sluice box. The proper design and construction of the sluice box improves the efficiency of the operation.

Things You'll Need

Treated wood or aluminum
Steel slats
Welder
Miners moss or mat
Gold pan

Instructions

- 1
  Build the frame of the sluice box out of treated lumber or metal. Typical sluice boxes are between 3 and 6 feet long and about 18 inches wide. Extend the sides about 6 inches above the floor of the sluice box. Aluminum sluice boxes are light and easy to use but require special tools to cut and bend that many home craftsman won’t have. Wood boxes should be built using treated lumber fastened together with galvanized 3-inch deck screws.
- 2
  Add riffles to the bottom of the sluice box. According to the website Nevada Outback Gems the best riffles are slats of steel welded to a framework that places them at about a 45 degree angle to the floor of the sluice box with the low edge of the steel piece closest to the top of the sluice box. This riffle assembly needs to be removable to give the prospector access to the accumulated gold.
- 3
  Line the bottom of the sluice with rubber mats or miners moss. These items are available from prospectors&' supply stores in gold country and online. Make these items removable to allow the gathering of gold, which may accumulate in the sluice box. The moss or mat is held in place by the metal riffles.

Geocaching