Day 10: Auto Panning System

Mike L, Kathy and I are given the challenge of making an automated gold panning extraction "plant." Mike L and Kathy make up the sluicing cradle and I crack on making the water wheel to power it. The idea is to make a compact sluice box in the form of a sort of cradle that can be rocked. As the gold-carrying water runs down the machine the gold particles are collected in the various sluice trays and the rocking disperses the rocks evenly and makes the filtration more effective. Ideally the waterwheel could power the rocking of the cradle and also power a water pump to make sure the sluice never runs dry.

All 3 of us had a great day today. All the crew mucked in - Sandra, John and Derek all doing their own share of sawing when they could, and bit by bit by the end of the day we had made all the parts for the equipment. Tomorrow we assemble and see how it all works out. That night we had various ideas for the water pump. I thought we might be able to make an Archimedean screw pump but looking at my designs I don't think I am going to have time. Mike L has a nice design for a tennis ball water pump so we will see how it goes.

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