How to Build a Sluice Box

A sluice box works to separate gold from other sediment in water that is diverted from a creek or river. Ribs and ridges along the bottom of the sluice box hold the gold as the lighter sand and pebbles are washed out. Prospectors typically build sluice boxes in the form of a long rectangular-shaped box, but that has no top or ends. In essence, a sluice box is a handcrafted small section of creek into which water is directed from a natural watercourse. Gold which would otherwise tumble along the creek bottom gets caught behind the sluice box ribs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Pressure-treated plywood 2 pieces of lumber measuring 2 inches by 4 inches by 10 feet Saw Electric drill Box of 2-inch-long wood screws Waterproof wood glue 24 feet of 1-by-1/2 inch wood beam
Pressure-treated plywood
2 pieces of lumber measuring 2 inches by 4 inches by 10 feet
Saw
Electric drill
Box of 2-inch-long wood screws
Waterproof wood glue
24 feet of 1-by-1/2 inch wood beam

Step 1

Cut two pieces of pressure-treated plywood in the shape of rectangles that are 1 by 6 feet and one piece to a size of 2 by 6 feet. Cut two pieces of the 2 inch by 4 inch by 10 feet lumber to a length of 6 feet. Cut one of the remaining 4-foot-long pieces of lumber to create two pieces that are each 1 foot long. Cut the sole remaining 4-foot-long piece of lumber to a length of 2 feet 2 inches. Cut 12 pieces of the 1-by-1/2 inch wood beam to a length of 2 feet.

Step 2

Lay the two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch by 6 feet lumber on the ground 2 feet apart, and lay the 2-by-6 foot piece of plywood on top. Make the edges of the lumber beam flush with the edges of the plywood. Attach the plywood to the pieces of lumber using the electric drill and 2-inch-long wood screws to drill through the plywood and into the lumber beams. Be sure to drill the screw into the plywood no further than to make the screw head flush with the plywood.

Step 3

Attach the two pieces of plywood measuring 1 by 6 feet to the sides of the plywood measuring 2 by 6 feet to create a three-sided rectangle. Set the plywood side pieces against the bottom piece. Use the drill and 2-inch wood screws to attach the plywood sides to the lumber beams on the plywood bottom.

Step 4

Attach the two pieces of lumber measuring 2 inches by 4 inchs by 1 foot to the middle of the plywood sides. These will serve as side supports. Place each 1-foot piece of lumber upright and attach the bottom end. Drill screws through the 1-foot piece of lumber and into the 6-foot piece of lumber attached to the bottom of the sluice box. Place the 2-foot, 2-inch piece of lumber with either end on top of the 1-foot-long side supports thereby creating a cross brace. Make sure the ends of the pieces of wood are flush and screw together.

Step 5

Attach the 1-by-1/2 inch pieces of small wood beam in even increments along the bottom of the sluice box. Use the waterproof wood glue. These ribs are what catches the gold as it tumbles along the bottom of the sluice box.

Article Written By Contributing Writer

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