Hand Dredging

[Lone Frogman]

Anybody make their own suction jet nozzles? Got plans?

 

[fire_diver]

I've seen people who have, but it requires a lot more equipment and skills than I have. IT would probably be faster / cheaper to find a used one. What size are you looking for and what size is your pressure hose?

 

[Lone Frogman]

I'm cheap and handy at making things, sometimes its a curse. After I spend 100 hours and hundred dollars on parts I'll go buy one. My plan is to make a prototype out of plastic than after I get it right, I'll make it with steel or SS steel. Pressure hose is 1.5 with about 150GPM

 

[fire_diver]

Well, I suppose you have already seen pics of them, they aren't too complicated. You will need a good mandrel and welder. An 1 1/2" pressure hose can easily be used on a 3" suction. If you are using a HP pump, you could use it on a 4" suction.

 

[scubadaddee]

take a look at this one 2 Inch Suction Nozzle Component: Keene Engineering Online

 

[Lone Frogman]

Well, I suppose you have already seen pics of them, they aren't too complicated. You will need a good mandrel and welder. An 1 1/2" pressure hose can easily be used on a 3" suction. If you are using a HP pump, you could use it on a 4" suction.

Yes,its fine tuning them.

take a look at this one 2 Inch Suction Nozzle Component: Keene Engineering Online

I have been looking at that one.

 

[Lee Taylor]

Here is what has been found to work well. It is on a larger scale than what you are thinking but "it works"

Mel Fisher Mailbox

 

[Lone Frogman]

Here is what has been found to work well. It is on a larger scale than what you are thinking but "it works"

Mel Fisher Mailbox

I wish, I have a smaller one.

 

[HowardE]

You want to make an airlift or a dredge?

Mailboxing is sloppy and the reason that Mel Fisher's people are 20 years later going back and re-sifting through everything because they blew millions in emeralds all over the bottom with the mailboxes.

Also - having dug holes with a scooter as well... I'd say this. No puns intended but sucking is better than blowing for digging a hole. Suction allows you to see where you're working. Blowing a hole pretty much kills the viz totally, and then you're working in the dark, which defeats the purpose of looking for stuff... yes?

 

[Lone Frogman]

Dredge, I already have the hoses and pumps. I'll more then likely buy the nozzle from Keene.
I have used the scooter, it does work for uncovering larger items. A good current always helps too.