I build a Yabby Pump for gold prospecting in this video. It doesn't go as I expected, but in the end I made a decent prototype. Keywords: Yabby Pump, Gold Prospecting, Hand Dredging, Gold Dredging, Gold Panning.
Nice work. I think you will find that a 2” water pump leather will work the best for you. You just have to pre soak it for 10 minutes prior to use. It expands out to the pipe walls automatically when you pull back on the handle.
This is an interesting device, I assume you‘re off to a creek somewhere? Maybe a membrane-ish seal could work too. Thick rubber mat, cut a circle ~1.2*inner diameter of suction pipe. Hole through the middle. stack two of the round pieces of mat on a rod and fix with nut-nut-washer-mat-washer(-n washers)-mat-washer-nut-end of thread on piston rod. That‘s approximately what was used in old pistons, instead of rubber it was leather.
I've never seen one of these used successfully out of the dozen or so friends that have bought or made them - everyone I have tried, just doesn't work - the keene, the supersucker etc, they all either don't seal enough, leak water or air. The concept seems ok, but in the field after dirt, sand and gravel pass though- not so much. Any grease or oil will make your gold float. o-rings or a flapper type pump head valve might offer better performance. A for effort though! if anyone can make it work, I have faith in you :)
Thanks so much. I've been trying it today and it's still working. I'm waiting for some 2.5 mm cowhide. With a little tuning I think it might work fairly well for a while, at least. -- Dave
Is the reason for manual ops because of no powered device regulations? If powered allowed consider a backpack or waistband battery pack powering a 3-4" dia. pipe with a one-way foot-valve behind a 0.5-1" tip dredging jet-nozzle up fines into your 3-4" bulk pipe. Undoubtedly plenty of water. Consider a clear plastic pipe section to visually discharge blondes helping you save blackish/clay fines etc. Good luck!
Hi Douglas. I built this because it's an interesting problem and because I saw Chris on Vogus Prospecting with one that was giving him problems (or so it appeared). I also have a spot that I want to prospect that requires a Yabby pump and an airplane. Yes, I could make something battery operated with a motor and I may do that if things pan out. -- Dave
