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Post by kgphoto on Dec 14, 2008 15:08:55 GMT -5
Hi all.
Looking for a used Le-Trap (LT) and Angus MacKirk (MK) Sluice in the Los Angeles area of California.
I want to experiment with the LT, so I want to get a cheap used one, even a broken one, rather than destroy a new one.
I also want to see, in person, a MK River sluice to compare it to a LT as to construction and thickness, durability, etc.
I have posted on other forums, but it doesn't look like anyone in LA has a MK sluice. I don't mean the sidekick or other recirculating highbanker/concentrators, but the type you put in the river.
I frequent the EAST Fork and Cajon Creek areas.
Anyone out there who can help me?
Thank you.
KG
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Post by renochris on Dec 19, 2008 18:33:51 GMT -5
I used a regular old Keene Aluminum Y shaped sluice (model A52, but the mid1970s version) for years at the east Fork, and never had any problems. Why re-invent the wheel?
Chris
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Post by kgphoto on Dec 27, 2008 2:39:21 GMT -5
Chris,
I have used two types of Keene's, of various years and the Le-Trap my friend loaned me and the DFS, both out perform them.
I base this on side by side and end to end tests. The both hold more fine gold and feed faster than the Keene's. The Le-Trap twice as fast and the DFS, 3 times faster than the Le-Trap. The Le-Trap is less than half the weight of Keene' smallest sluice. Running one before the other has shown the Keene missing gold and the Le-Trap or DFS catching it. I test everything.
Keene has modified their carpet and riffles over the years and now are coming out with a plastic insert for their sluices, so I guess even they see the need for constant improvement.
I have heard that the Keene's were designed around N. Calif gold and the So. Cal gold is just much finer. That is one of the reasons for their own improvements.
I think all of these products are excellent, but you have to use the right tool for the job. I use a Keene A51 for the base for my high banker, at the present time. The Le-Trap is too flimsy without a frame. I am making a frame now.
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Post by aunugget on Dec 28, 2008 4:43:17 GMT -5
kg, Why do you think that is? The out performance and all? Now about 5 yrs ago I was in Boise and stopped off and looked up Angus MacKirk I was in the market to buy a new small dredge and a friend had told me about MK . Anyway I looked at everything He had in his store, he even had one employee show me stuff they had in a storage warehouse. (like I said I seen everything they had) I did not buy anything because of the plastic bottoms - instead of rubber mat,carpet and riffles.... The Owner told me its the way to go!period and he explained to me that it is like a static charge or something like that is what grabs the fine gold .(id never heard of not using rubber mat,carpet and riffles so I looked at him like he was loony and left)
Now after a few years im hearing how this system is working. let me know how your experiment turns out I may half to get one afterall
I will keep an eye out for one if I see one ill let you know.
aunugget
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Post by kgphoto on Dec 30, 2008 1:59:01 GMT -5
kg, Why do you think that is? The out performance and all? Now after a few years im hearing how this system is working. let me know how your experiment turns out I may half to get one after all I will keep an eye out for one if I see one ill let you know. aunugget I have older versions of the Keene and they have since improved the carpets and riffles. The Le-trap just works. As I understand it, the traps are just deep and once the gold gets in, it is too far below the current to be reached and so it doesn't wash out. At the top of the pile there is a little water action and that vibrates the surface and drops down the new gold. Perhaps the vibration of the bigger rocks helps shake it down some too. Maybe my frame will reduce the performance. I don't think static electricity has anything to do with it. You can't have static except with dry, so the water would ground out any charge. I would like the Le-Trap to be a little shorter and even thinner if I could manage it. I would like to be able to insert it fully in my bucket when cleaning it out. You can do that with a few of the MacKirks, but I haven't found anyone in LA who has one I can see and/or try. I am past the point of spending $100 to see if something works or not. My boys have just decided to buy themselves their own Le-Trap sluice. They like it for its light weight and ease of operation and few parts (they are only 11). They don't want to run the risk that I will have to give back the one I am borrowing. We will check prices at the Gold Show in San Bernardino and then order one. Any help you can provide will be appreciated.
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Post by Chuck on Jan 10, 2009 12:40:48 GMT -5
Hi: If you are interested in any of Angus Mackirk products we could work something out, I do not have any used equipment at this time but if you look at the prices of standard sluices by Angus contact me and we could get one out to you. I used this equipment last year extensively in Alaska, we beat it to see how it would hold up,no problems at all. We used the stream banker with great success so well other miners purchased all the equipment I had shipped up to use. These guys are no newcomers either,we tested and tested it under every condition and it performed well. If I have any used come up I will contact you but I am in the midwest and I could drop ship to you. I am listed with Angus Mackirk on the site S/W Shooters Supplies. I guess I will have to place an add with Joey here. Take care and good luck to all.
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Post by kgphoto on Jan 13, 2009 18:05:41 GMT -5
Hi Chuck,
Thank you for your offer. I am curious about Mackirk Sluices as they share half my name, but haven't been able to see one here in LA. I don't want to invest another $100 in a duplicate product. I did that with the various pans. After testing them all, they all perform about the same, but there are a couple that I have found that perform significantly better and a few significantly worse.
I know a few people with LeTraps, but none in LA have come forward with a MacKirk. So if you have a loaner or know of an owner in this area and can put us together, great!
I am glad to hear that they lasted well for you up in Alaska.
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Post by hardrock on Jan 23, 2009 21:26:04 GMT -5
KGPHOTO: Contact me @ aumcs3@yahoo.com, we will talk and I can send you pics of the streambanker in use in Alaska with results,unbelievable to say the least and there are many models to fit all price ranges. Chuck
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Post by kgphoto on Jan 28, 2009 21:40:45 GMT -5
Hey sorry to be so long to respond. I wish this forum notified us when posts are made so we can get back to those who are generous with their time and information. I appreciate all the info I can get.
Love to look at your pictures Chuck, but really want to see and touch the unit at a minimum, if I can't toss one in a creek locally.
KG
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muley
New Member
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Post by muley on Feb 8, 2009 22:00:56 GMT -5
Kgphoto, If you make it up here too Bakersfield, Ca and you can find Mike's Coin and Stamp shop, he'll sell you one. The last time I was in his shop he had a couple of each design. I can get you his number or you can look it up in the ICMJ on thier ICMJ dealers page. Hope this helps. Muley P.S. You might even find a shop closer that carries them from the ICMJ dealers page.
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Post by kgphoto on Feb 9, 2009 4:51:12 GMT -5
Thanks Muley,
Perhaps we will see it when we drive through to the Fresno Gold show. I will look it up and have the data in the car.
KG
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muley
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by muley on Feb 9, 2009 23:42:24 GMT -5
Mike's Coin & Stamp, 1531 30th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301; (661) 322-3531. I copied this from the ICMJ "Newstand" page. He's located on what we call the traffic circle on Chester ave.
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Post by kgphoto on Feb 14, 2009 14:30:00 GMT -5
Muley,
Thank you again very much. Very helpful.
Good news, I was able to purchase a used LE-Trap from one of our members, so one down, one to go.
I won't be able to go on Saturday as I have another obligation. I will try for Sunday.
Is anyone else from the LA area interested in going? Car pool? Road Trip?
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Post by kgphoto on Feb 16, 2009 19:59:44 GMT -5
I called Mike's Coin and Stamp Shop. He has never heard of the Mackirk Sluices and so doesn't have them.
So no joy there. I am thinking that Angus should send me a couple of samples to take to the outings down here and get them in front of the eyes of this apparently untouched market.
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