Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

Equipment

Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

C-17A 05-31-2008, 5:35 AM
Greetings GoldGrubbers,

I had the chance to take both my small and 2 inch hand dredges I bought from Deserdog up to Maine prospecting. I was especially keen on the large one for my second trip, as there were a bunch of large/deep holes in the bedrock I wanted to suck clean.

Overall the larger 2 incher was the BOMB! It worked easier, had WAY more suction and internal capacity and really allowed me to suck out sand/gravel 3+ feet down in these very deep holes. The internal seal is double lipped, and very sturdy. I could never have gotten to the bottom with just my arm or hand trowel. Some of the small rocks were so compacted my Keene crevice tool was useless until I sucked out the smaller sand around them by pouring in water and then using the 2 incher to suck the sand away, freeing up the rocks to be removed.

I also used the smaller dredge, but found a lot of sand getting past the O-ring, causing some stiffness in operation, abrasion and scraping of the inside of the tube. It would be great for sampling or working a small crevise, but not really the tool for a large scale dredge operation, like I was doing. In fairness I did not have any silicone spray with me, and used clean water as the lube. Will buy some...soon.

Overall, I like the smaller unit and really love the big 2 incher. The 45 degree elbow on the 2 incher made it much easier to suck, twist the elbow up and keep aggregate from escaping on the way to the bucket. The bigger unit can also take the suction nozzles from the smaller unit by means of an adapter, giving you the best of both worlds, high suction, internal capacity and smaller inlet nozzle.

Bottom line: Buy them both as a set, you won't be sorry. If you only have to buy one, I recommend the bigger 2 incher! Money really well spent. I don't think I could make them for what I bought them for, especially considering the run around time, gas, and trial & error factor.

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

RyanBruce 05-31-2008, 2:48 PM
I tried making my own and decided to round up some cash and buy the set from Deserdog.should happen soon.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

twig/al 06-01-2008, 9:06 AM
C-17A, I knew you would be happy with his products!!! You are right... This is one of those occasions where it is easier and better to buy than build... They will last you a long time!!!

twig/al

Alabama Prospecting Supply
www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum
www.southeasttreasurehunters.com

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

C-17A 06-01-2008, 7:05 PM
Twig,

Yep, these two hand dredges work well....the 2 incher especially. :)

Next time I go up to Northern Massachusetts I will take them. There are some areas in Couch Brook that I want to sample, but having no hand dredges, or a wet suit/air/snorkle, had to pass up.

Can't wait to get lots of gold thanks to their "sucking". Ha!

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

platdigger 06-14-2008, 12:24 PM

Deserdog, is everything ok with you? Haven't heard from you in a while.......

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

deserdog 06-14-2008, 11:55 PM
My wife is in the hospital now. She had pneumonia complicated by her asthma. So I have been spending a lot of time at the hospital. Hopefully she will get well and be out soon.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

Gold seeker 06-15-2008, 4:45 AM
deserdog,

Sorry to hear about your wife's illness, we will be praying for a speedy recovery!

Skip

Email: den7cubs"at"hargray.com

Seek and Ye Shall Find, and when you find It thank GOD!!!

Treat the Earth well It was not given to you by your Parents,
It was loaned to you by your Children.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

Herschel 06-15-2008, 5:20 AM
Alright all you grubbers out there, it is knee time for deserdogs wife. Lets get those prayers to working.

Herschel
"Chief Instigator"

Stop "Poly-Ticks" in Washington!!
(definitian)
Poly: many
Ticks: blood suckin' insects

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

navydoc 06-15-2008, 6:40 AM

Prayers on their way.

'doc

One shot....One Kill!
'nough said.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

ccv_NC 06-15-2008, 7:10 AM
more prayers comming from NORTH CAROLINA ALSO for a complete and quick recovery.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

deserdog 06-15-2008, 8:56 AM
Thanks everybody! I will tell my wife, she will really appreciate it, and I do too.

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

RyanBruce 06-15-2008, 1:07 PM
If you need a nebulizer let me know i dont use it anymore.
RyanBruce

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

C-17A 06-15-2008, 4:50 PM
Deserdog,

We're praying for you and your wonderful wife in Rhode Island!!!

Take care. God's healing for her.....

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

twig/al 06-16-2008, 6:35 AM
deserdog, You will be surprised by the power of the prayer chain on this forum... Y'all are in our prayers also...

twig/al

Alabama Prospecting Supply
www.alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Email: tom@alabamaprospectingsupply.com
Southeast Treasure Hunters Forum
www.southeasttreasurehunters.com

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

GasCan/SW-GA 06-16-2008, 4:27 PM
Same here in NW Georgia. There is Power in Prayer!.

GasCan/NW-GA, Formerly SW-GA

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

platdigger 06-16-2008, 11:14 PM

Looks like we are all in agreement for her complete and speedy,total recovery....;)

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

C-17A 06-18-2008, 4:04 AM
GoldGrubbers,

FYI...............I took my pair of Deserdog hand dredges back up to Bernandston, MA, on Monday and used them to prospect on Couch Brook.

I used the larger 2 incher with adapters to suck out the cracks between the concrete sections of the road bridge, and I wasn't disappointed! I used my Keene crevice tool to scrape the cracks, losen the aggregate and then picked out larger rocks by hand.............then, using all 3 nozzles, I was able to suck out 4 of about 6 cracks and sluice the material. Two were too narrow to get my smallest nozzle into........sadly.

So, once again, I am very happy with my hand dredges. I realized that it is VERY important to lubricate the seals with silicone often. I could tell when it needed it, when it got noticeably harder to pull and push. Will try to post a pic soon.

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

digi 08-11-2008, 2:47 PM
I made one of these 2" and have been in love with it ever since. I have put another 45 on the end and would go with a 90 next one I make. Also have a rubber gasket on the thing now and optional valve, but it kept hanging so I scrapped it.

My friend and I hit a frequented area at Coker Creek where people said there was no gold and took a scraper and the sucker and never had an empty pan. Even found a hole with some decent gold, for us at least, we're new to panning.:)
http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=suckerjpegeh6.jpg

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

C-17A 08-11-2008, 8:25 PM
Digi,

Good report. Glad you found gold too!

These hand dredges really work in the right locations and circumstances.......

Best of luck in the future!

Randy

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

deserdog 08-12-2008, 9:33 AM
Just wanted everyone to know that my wife is much better now. Thank you all for your prayers!

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

GasCan/SW-GA 08-12-2008, 1:08 PM
Thanks for the update, deserdog, sure glad the forum is back up so we can keep up with our friends!

GasCan/NW-GA, Formerly SW-GA

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

digi 08-12-2008, 4:10 PM
I am still doing some fine tuning, but think I have it on the latest build. I'll tell you after this weekend.:)

Re: Hand Dredge Report -- Deserdog Dredges -- A+ Devices

Gold seeker 08-12-2008, 4:16 PM
deserdog,

Really good to hear that and I glad that things are better now!!!

Skip

Email: den7cubs"at"hargray.com

Seek and Ye Shall Find, and when you find It thank GOD!!!

Treat the Earth well It was not given to you by your Parents,
It was loaned to you by your Children.

registered GoldGrubbin'