DIY Trommel on a Shoestring Budget

I'm new here and thought you prospectors might enjoy a new idea.  I'm from the Desert Southwest US and created this device for my area.  Notice ........ no motor.  Here you'll find directions to build this inexpensive, compact, and light weight hand trommel.  It is designed to classify quantity material for your dry-washer, high-banker, sluice, pan, or garden, and can also be used as a worm harvester.  The cost of construction is around $50 US. Have fun with it.

Mike


Mike's Trommel
http://mlaine.net/Trom

What a ripper ! Give yourself a pat on the back for ingenuity ! Many thanks for sharing.
P.S. Looks like some sort of animal, Maybe nickname it " The Beast "
Cheers
Ashley

The only problem I can see is that the plastic buckets, that it is made from , will not last long in the Australian sun.
The best ones I found were ones that were used for drilling mud.They have to be good quality buckets that will resist the U.V. rays, take plenty of duct tape if you go in the bush.

You will have to improve the handle, wet hands and sharp edges do not mix, or wear leather gloves all the time.

I did make a trommel using 18 inch bicycle rims. Very cheap from the bike shop and nice and round.

Great work mate ! I like home brew stuff.....
I guess you could also make a similar setup out of Tin buckets and broom handles as well.......great stuff

I suffered a flood in my office and lost the server therefore have changed the address to "Mike's Trommel".  I've used the trommel now for over 5 years and have only replaced the screen because of wear.  Incredible and useful tool I would highly recommend to the recreational prospector who wants more production instead of using a hand classifier.

mlaine.net/Trom

PS.  My claim is in the scorching desert of Southern California where I live.  I easily reaches over 117 degrees F as it did this summer.  The trommel is still cranking away without negative effect.

Cheers,
Mike Laine