MJB
matt
That vid was awesome,
I need to go out and get a keen 140 , stuff building one....I can't wait that long
I need to go out and get a keen 140 , stuff building one....I can't wait that long
Bellows puffer style drywasher plans
- Thread starter gcause
- Start date
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Ok heres another you might like for the ballad and the camera going down the riffles:
[video=480,360]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKWkNQVJqp4[/video]
[video=480,360]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKWkNQVJqp4[/video]
Ok finally dug up the rest of those popular mechanics plans I was looking for which shows how the riffles, bellows and canvas hopper and metal regulator can be made:
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/doc/member-docs/1497/1401019988_gas_driven_dry_washer.pdf
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/doc/member-docs/1497/1401019988_gas_driven_dry_washer.pdf
Here's the original popular mechanics magazine this is from, just love these old DIY magazines
Anyone need a boat there's a set of plans for that in there too.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id...rce=gbs_toc_r&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Anyone need a boat there's a set of plans for that in there too.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id...rce=gbs_toc_r&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Went to Mareeba today and visited the Historical Museum there, its also the local visitor information centre. On display was an authentic dry blower from the Mareeba goldfields. Thats it sitting on the right at the back:
Right hand side view, note whoever restored it and fixed the canvas for the bellows got it wrong and extended the canvas over the top of the riffles:
Top view of the hopper:
Front view, note the use of hessian bag for the backing cloth for the riffles down the bottom of the picture. That is what I have decided on as the cloth for my project:
Left hand side view, note the large hand crank to operate the bellows:
Back view showing the bellows mechanism and the trap door mechanism for the hopper. Note the small sprocket on the left hand side of the photo to drive the bellows mechanism by attaching a chain to a motor of some sort:
Side view of the trap door mechanism:
Hook and wire handle used to open and close the trap door on the hopper.
We later went over to Coffee Works down the road and as fortune would have it they were selling hessian bags that were used for coffee beans, I grabbed a couple for use on my dry washer project.
Hope this gives others some ideas to use on their projects.
Right hand side view, note whoever restored it and fixed the canvas for the bellows got it wrong and extended the canvas over the top of the riffles:
Top view of the hopper:
Front view, note the use of hessian bag for the backing cloth for the riffles down the bottom of the picture. That is what I have decided on as the cloth for my project:
Left hand side view, note the large hand crank to operate the bellows:
Back view showing the bellows mechanism and the trap door mechanism for the hopper. Note the small sprocket on the left hand side of the photo to drive the bellows mechanism by attaching a chain to a motor of some sort:
Side view of the trap door mechanism:
Hook and wire handle used to open and close the trap door on the hopper.
We later went over to Coffee Works down the road and as fortune would have it they were selling hessian bags that were used for coffee beans, I grabbed a couple for use on my dry washer project.
Hope this gives others some ideas to use on their projects.
MJB
matt
Great pics
Its not every day you get to see an original piece of mining equipment. Would have been nice to see the riffle design under the hessian cloth.
Good work with the bags from the coffee shop...it must be destiny
Cheers,
Its not every day you get to see an original piece of mining equipment. Would have been nice to see the riffle design under the hessian cloth.
Good work with the bags from the coffee shop...it must be destiny
Cheers,
Awesome thanks for sharing gcause.
Yes I wanted to see the riffle design also but there were signs saying don't touch the exhibits so I didn't. I was allowed to take photos so I got as many as I could. Its really worth a visit that place, they have restored a lot of authentic buildings onsite including a pub, post office, telephone exchange, hospital, tobacco house, bank and created a main street scene from the 1800's. Its an amazing collection. They have some of the old prospecting gear on display including their firearms.
Ok went out to Dimbulah yesterday and stopped in at Mareeba on the way to get some photos of the riffle design:
It has been restored so we don't know if these were how the original riffles were made or not.
The 2nd riffle from the bottom looked like different timber it was old and might have been original. The rest looked new.
It has been restored so we don't know if these were how the original riffles were made or not.
The 2nd riffle from the bottom looked like different timber it was old and might have been original. The rest looked new.
Hi guys
I knew I had some plans hiding away somewhere that might be of use to someone building one
Only found them tonight in a zipped file I couldnt open [till now]
Unfortunatly I dont know who to give credit to for these plans as I downloaded them off the net a few years ago [still "gunna" build it]
Cheers
ChrisM
I knew I had some plans hiding away somewhere that might be of use to someone building one
Only found them tonight in a zipped file I couldnt open [till now]
Unfortunatly I dont know who to give credit to for these plans as I downloaded them off the net a few years ago [still "gunna" build it]
Cheers
ChrisM
Thats a ripper contribution chrism nice find
Thanks for that Chris, it is greatly appreciated, excellent set of plans.
GoldCheddar2005
Julie
There is a lot of old equipment at the Proserpine Museum too, including a perfect reproduction of the 'Duffer' shaft. Pretty awesome stuff Grant.
Thanks for that GC2005 I will have to check it out on my way back to Brisbane one day.
GoldCheddar2005
Julie
It is a very good display. Learning so much about the local goldfields, just looking at maps, you literally think why the hell would the oldies build shafts where they did. Clarke ranges for example, sheers and escarpments everywhere, the goldrush sent people crazy.
I was talking to George at NQ Miners Den at the FNQ coffee catch-up. I mentioned I was building a drywasher and he said he had something I may be interested in.
He then proceeded to show me a genuine set of leather bellows from the goldfields. 8)
The bellows even had the top box with the original cloth intact and riffles in place and the driver arm was still attached to the bellows. 8)
I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said a six pack of Corona. 8)
I raced down to the nearest bottle shop, came back and swapped him a dozen beers for it.
Not sure what vintage the bellows are but I did notice a makers brass plate on the bellows so I will clean them up and see if there is a date.
Now I just need to build the classifier box to go on top, build a feeder, put some legs on it, add a flywheel to the driver arm and a motor and I'm done.
I can't believe my luck. George is one of natures true gentlemen is all I can say. I can't thank him enough for this.
Will post some photos of it when I get a chance.
He then proceeded to show me a genuine set of leather bellows from the goldfields. 8)
The bellows even had the top box with the original cloth intact and riffles in place and the driver arm was still attached to the bellows. 8)
I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said a six pack of Corona. 8)
I raced down to the nearest bottle shop, came back and swapped him a dozen beers for it.
Not sure what vintage the bellows are but I did notice a makers brass plate on the bellows so I will clean them up and see if there is a date.
Now I just need to build the classifier box to go on top, build a feeder, put some legs on it, add a flywheel to the driver arm and a motor and I'm done.
I can't believe my luck. George is one of natures true gentlemen is all I can say. I can't thank him enough for this.
Will post some photos of it when I get a chance.
Thats awesome what a champion can't wait to see the pics :|
MJB
matt
That's unreal Gcause, can't wait to see some pics.
cheers,
cheers,
Its a wooden construction with metal riffles. Given the materials used and construction technique my best guess would be its a 1960-70's vintage but I am open to suggestions on its age?
The whole unit would weigh somewhere between 6 to 10 kilograms as it has a solid welded metal frame holding it together.
The metal frame is designed to have legs bolted onto it.
The metal frame itself is in good condition as it was fully painted and the paint is still intact.
Exposed metal surfaces show little rust and where it exists its just surface rust.
The top riffle box has the old style clip locks holding it to the bellows box and a piece of wire is used to secure each lock from flipping open.
Here are the photos as I received it from George.
Top Riffle Box:
Right Side:
Back:
Front:
The bellows themselves are made of a very light leather with a red'ish brown colour.
The leather is stapled to the wooden frame with three rows of staples.
Here is the condition of the leather on the bellows:
What I thought was a makers plate may just be a reinforcing piece on the main squeeze point or a patch that was done to it after it was built:
Bottom:
Riffle box removed, showing venting between riffles through to the cloth:
Close up of the venting showing the cloth used, the holes are very fine like cheese cloth:
Air flap showing:
Close up of the air flap:
Air flap lifted to reveal a series of air holes:
Close up through holes to show a mechanism inside the bellows, I think its to hold the driver arm to the bellows but its a leather box of some sort, might have to get an inspection camera in there to have a good look at it:
Clip locks used to hold the riffle box to the bellows box:
I am going to give it a good clean up and would appreciate any suggestions on the best way to restore and treat the leather on the bellows?
The whole unit would weigh somewhere between 6 to 10 kilograms as it has a solid welded metal frame holding it together.
The metal frame is designed to have legs bolted onto it.
The metal frame itself is in good condition as it was fully painted and the paint is still intact.
Exposed metal surfaces show little rust and where it exists its just surface rust.
The top riffle box has the old style clip locks holding it to the bellows box and a piece of wire is used to secure each lock from flipping open.
Here are the photos as I received it from George.
Top Riffle Box:
Right Side:
Back:
Front:
The bellows themselves are made of a very light leather with a red'ish brown colour.
The leather is stapled to the wooden frame with three rows of staples.
Here is the condition of the leather on the bellows:
What I thought was a makers plate may just be a reinforcing piece on the main squeeze point or a patch that was done to it after it was built:
Bottom:
Riffle box removed, showing venting between riffles through to the cloth:
Close up of the venting showing the cloth used, the holes are very fine like cheese cloth:
Air flap showing:
Close up of the air flap:
Air flap lifted to reveal a series of air holes:
Close up through holes to show a mechanism inside the bellows, I think its to hold the driver arm to the bellows but its a leather box of some sort, might have to get an inspection camera in there to have a good look at it:
Clip locks used to hold the riffle box to the bellows box:
I am going to give it a good clean up and would appreciate any suggestions on the best way to restore and treat the leather on the bellows?
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