Building A Floating Screen-----------------

Cupajo

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I got a question for the members so what kind of floating screen would you suggest on building or buying? I need to come up with something it would be game changing for me on my next hunt.

Cupajo

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JoinedMay 9, 2009Messages3,256LocationOld Lyme
Feb 29, 2012

( Perhaps this info from one of my old posts may be helpful.)

This AM at 8 I waded out into our calm local waters to see how much metal I could remove from the water's edge out into the water for the distance of a long coil swing. (I was in knee-deep water.)

Both my hunting partner Frank and I have worked this short stretch to death, but I know from experience that no matter how hard you work an area there are still pieces of metal there to be found.

I brought along my little Fuji to record how important my sifter is to me for finding small targets.

The first shot shows the small stones left after I washed out the excess, but the dark colored piece of metal blended in so well with the stones I couldn't find it.

Rather than waste a lot of time I ran the coil over the (all plastic) sifter and determined the target was there.

With my Vibra-Probe pin pointer I located the small fishing-net weight and separated it from the stones as shown in the next shot.

Pic 3 is of the weight in my glove and 4 is of a curious Gull that was only 6' or so away at one point during this exercise.

The very next target was a .22 Caliber cartridge case (shown in my next post) that was also tough to find and easily can fall through my scoop holes, so I make it a habit of dumping the scoop into the sifter as quickly as possible just to avoid losing the tiny targets.

GL&HH Friends,

CJ

PS This sifter will hold a scoop load of sand/gravel and targets!!! I use a cord tied to the rear with a hefty sinker to keep the sifter stable and a 6' long cord with a clasp and another sinker on it behind me to control the sifter as I hunt. (I also have a plastic mesh bag for large targets such as cans (sometimes red bricks) etc. that need to be disposed of later hanging on the sifter just bellow the water.

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  • TheStelt

    @TheStelt

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    JoinedMay 18, 2013Messages498LocationSW OhioEasy as can be to make! Cost around $14 for the sifter and 4 for the noodle(I opted for the mega noodle) at walmart, I had the rope and ties, took about 15 min to make! Going to test it out in the lake tomorrow if the weather is right. I will let you know how it does!

    Thanks for looking GL & HH!!

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(One important thing to remember is to use only plastics without metal fasteners to allow checking the pile in the sifter for targets with your detector or a pin-pointer!!)
(I tried this sifter and found it to be too small for my scoop loads!!) CJ
(One important thing to remember is to use only plastics without metal fasteners to allow checking the pile in the sifter for targets with your detector or a pin-pointer!!)
(I tried this sifter and found it to be too small for my scoop loads!!) CJ

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Thanks for the info. I like it seems pretty simple to make going to try and build something this weekend post a picture when its all done.

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Made a couple of these, cheap and bombproof, main one sees lots n lots of use over years, have yet to need the spare inserted into use. Keene 1/4" classifier (ordered from a mining company in Colorado) and a large pool noodle with some long zip ties.


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C
Thanks for the info. I like it seems pretty simple to make going to try and build something this weekend post a picture when its all done.
Heavy zip ties are the way to go!! They hold up well!!
The white tub can be the bottom part of a 50 gallon barrel with lotsa holes just small enough that a .22 cal bullet can't fall through.
Allow about 1/2" of space from the holes to the curve at the side for maximum strength.

Another post from he past-------------------

Mar 3, 2012

A Hunter Friend from Australia asked for more details of my sifter and this AM I thought I would oblige with a short photo essay illustrating every point I considered when I built mine.

My desire was for a highly functional sifter that cost as little as possible and I built several over the years using metal screens, inner-tubes, etc.

They all worked, but I couldn't use my coil to determine if I had the target in the pile of stone etc. dumped from my scoop and as I got older, with eyes to match, I wasn't able to use a pin-pointer to find the tiny targets.

While on a dump run one day I saw several tubs some commercial fisherman had tossed into the bin there for such things. They were sturdy and could be easily cut to the size I needed and were free!

The one I chose is 20" in diameter, (I cut it to) 5" deep and handles the scoop load nicely. I wouldn't recommend one much smaller unless you are hunting only in sand. I prefer the white bottom for visibility and that it be flat to allow for easy sorting through the debris.

A sifter larger than 24" will tend to be too large in must hunting situations,

Using the idea of drilling hundreds of small holes, borrowed from KaptKosmic, I proceeded to build the sifter illustrated here.

My experience had been that inner tubes as floats were a pain in that they required replacing from time to time and were usually flat when I needed them.

Solution=Floaties which I also found at the dump and later at Walmart for less than $5.00. The larger the diameter the better. On my sifter I used only one which lasted a couple of seasons and then started to shred apart.

The blue floats I am currently using were salvaged from a floating pool chair I came across at the dump. They are the perfect size to keep the sifter floating high in the water.

In the pics you will notice I placed the holes for mounting the Floaty low on the sides to keep the bottom high in the water. This works out well when in the shallows and makes locating targets easier too. I started out lacing a cord through the holes to secure the Floaties, but graduated to all plastic, electrical quick ties as a fast, inexpensive method.

The bottom curves as it reaches the wall of the sifter and allows dragging a target up the side when wearing gloves so that I can pinch it between my fingers without struggling to grasp it as it lays flat on the bottom. (Harder to do in rough water where sometimes I am able to cause the small target to lift off the bottom by a short brisk push down on the sifter bottom. The water jetting upward through the holes will often lift the target enough to grab it.)

The tow line is anchored into the side via two holes through the side for a strong attachment that has worked well for several years now.

There is a loop in the draw-string to the nylon mesh trash-bag where it is tied on for me to slip over the scoop handle for easy transporting on my shoulder to and from the water.

The draw-string is left over a foot long to provide distance from the sifter as the larger finds contained there-in, all smaller finds are secured in my waist pouch, will interfere with using the coil to locate finds if it is too close.

The tow-line has a brass snap hook (Notice in pics 2 and 3 how this hook is used to secure the weights etc for travel.) I dug up one day that attaches to a stainless loop of heavy wire on my belt at the center of my back. This keeps the tow-line out of my way most of the time.

This line used to be shorter, but then the sifter was in my way too often so I made it longer and placed a 1Lb.weight on it to keep tension on it when I step toward the sifter.

The sifter is now out of the way most of the time and I don't find myself chasing it with my scoop-load in windy conditions or when the current is strong enough to push the sifter away as I step toward it.

Tension on the drag-line with the 3 Lbs. of weight at the end keeps the whole rig under control most of the time and allows me to concentrate on the target and not have to be battling the sifter as water conditions change.

I think I have covered all pertinent details here, but let me know if there may be any I missed.

GL&HH,

CJ

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  • Thursday at 2:57 PM

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I scrolled through past posts and found my Friend Frank's post of an excellent job of sifter making!!!

Amazing craftsmanship Frank!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup:

Feb 20, 2012
I finished my sifter that was copied off the one CJ uses. It measures 23" diameter with 7/32" holes. If you notice it has a spot coped out on top to hold my scoop or detector and works excellent.

When I ordered the plate from McMaster Carr it didn't end up being what I thought ( my fault ), I wanted 3/16" holes but I thought the "open area" was more than it was. Also I wasn't crazy about it being grey instead white ( notice the back ) , again my fault.

Shipping was so high and the plate cost $64.00 that I wasn't about to send it back. So, I bit the bullet and drilled out all the holes from 3/16" to 7/32" , sanded the top with very coarse sand paper and sprayed it white.
This was put to the test the other day and worked great. Dumping rocks of all sizes along with the sand handled the heavy load with no problem and sifted rapidly. The holes are small enough that I easily caught 22 caliber projectiles.

Everything is nylon or plastic except for the stainless steel nut I'm using for a toggle for my lead sinkers and that's going to be changed to a nylon nut as soon as I get to the hardware store.

Even with that nut. I still was able to run my coil over the sifter with no problem.

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003.jpg
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Frank Ya done a great job my Friend!:chaplin:

If Ya ever want to trade it in on a new model, let me know!!

You made a couple of creative changes that are improvements in my view, such as the place to rest you scoop, using chafing shields to protect the foam floaty and a carrying handle.

It's as close to perfection as a sifter can get. :thumbsup:

Regards,

CJ

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Frank Ya done a great job my Friend!:chaplin:

If Ya ever want to trade it in on a new model, let me know!!

You made a couple of creative changes that are improvements in my view, such as the place to rest you scoop, using chafing shields to protect the foam floaty and a carrying handle.

It's as close to perfection as a sifter can get. :thumbsup:

Regards,

CJ
Click to expand...
Late to the party Lew... I'm using Franks sifter, don't go in the water without it...

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Bread tray, netting from amazon, thick tie wraps and 4 inch pool noodles. About 30 dollars I hack the bread tray up fairly good to have one handle to carry it with, the rest is easy. I went with a white mesh this time for my grandson, help see the sharks teeth. Doubled up on the netting for the smaller teeth. Also have a rope that has a brass hook to tether it to my pouch strap so it won't float away. The sifter on the left I used Bonsai mesh that goes into the bottom of of the flower pot, 1/8 inch gap.
Video shows the left one in action..

20230628_105502.jpg


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Cupajo

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Late to the party Lew... I'm using Franks sifter, don't go in the water without it...
Late to the party??? I started the party!!!!!!!!! :yes:

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Cupajo

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Late to the party Lew... I'm using Franks sifter, don't go in the water without it...

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Late to the party??? I started the party!!!!!!!!! :yes:
You aint that old :lol:

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Cupajo

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You aint that old :lol:
Just how old does one have to be Craig?
When did you start water hunting?
In 1982/83 I bought two Garrets XL500 PI machines like Mel Fisher used treasure hunting in Florida and recovered more than a 100 gold rings with them from Long Island Sound Beaches!
I designed and built the sifter Frank used as a guide for his exquisite version that you have and still have mine after years of hard use ready for my next hunt!!

OOPs, Sorry Pal I think you musta hit a nerve!!! :shrug:

GL&HH,

CJ

PS I still have those XL-500's and wouldn't be surprised if they could still find goodies out there!
Just how old does one have to be Craig?
When did you start water hunting?
In 1982/83 I bought two Garrets XL500 PI machines like Mel Fisher used treasure hunting in Florida and recovered more than a 100 gold rings with them from Long Island Sound Beaches!
I designed and built the sifter Frank used as a guide for his exquisite version that you have and still have mine after years of hard use ready for my next hunt!!

OOPs, Sorry Pal I think you musta hit a nerve!!! :shrug:

GL&HH,

CJ

PS I still have those XL-500's and wouldn't be surprised if they could still find goodies out there!
Click to expand...
OOOOOOPPPSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess I'm older than I thought!!!!!

I was trying to find an old plumbing tool in my canvas shed this AM and glanced at the sifter mentioned above and was stunned to realize that it was the first one Frank made!!!!!!!!!!! :shock: After he completed his second one (the one you have now Craig!) he gave the original to me and I tossed the one I had made because it was a joke compared to this one!

Sorry folks for the lapse in memory!!! (Seems to happen a lot these days!):roll:

(I'll clean it up a bit and post a picture soon!)

CJ

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I remember Frank had asked me where I got the netting, and I shared McMaster Carr. I was shocked when he said it cost 64 dollars, some how he got the wrong one. But he sure made good use of it!

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Just how old does one have to be Craig?
When did you start water hunting?
In 1982/83 I bought two Garrets XL500 PI machines like Mel Fisher used treasure hunting in Florida and recovered more than a 100 gold rings with them from Long Island Sound Beaches!
I designed and built the sifter Frank used as a guide for his exquisite version that you have and still have mine after years of hard use ready for my next hunt!!

OOPs, Sorry Pal I think you musta hit a nerve!!! :shrug:

GL&HH,

CJ

PS I still have those XL-500's and wouldn't be surprised if they could still find goodies out there!
Click to expand...
Are flexing here Lew... that is the way you want to go? my first 5 years 264 gold rings with my Whites PI PRO... when you hunted you could have scored a lot more... heard stories that the first hunters if they didn't score 25 gold or more in a weekend they had a bad weekend... Mike Robinson got spoiled by the huge numbers he was finding back in the day... Gary storm and I talked quite a bit about all the gold he found at the spots I hunt today... of course he was diving...and btw I started in 2006 with PI JOE and a good friend who passed away..

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Cupajo

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I remember Frank had asked me where I got the netting, and I shared McMaster Carr. I was shocked when he said it cost 64 dollars, some how he got the wrong one. But he sure made good use of it!
The screen material is pretty thick. I haven't measured it, but it is perhaps 1/4" thick and very strong!! (When the rain stops I'll measure it & post.)

Strong, very well designed traps to secure the sifter screen with it sitting high in the floaties, Very sturdy sifting screen (with holes pre-drilled at the factory). V-slot for the scoop are all Franks innovations!!

Several generations of water hunters would never wear this thing out!!

Great Job Frank!!!

Proud to know Ya,

CJ
I remember Frank had asked me where I got the netting, and I shared McMaster Carr. I was shocked when he said it cost 64 dollars, some how he got the wrong one. But he sure made good use of it!
Yep, 1/4" plate not screen!!
Are flexing here Lew... that is the way you want to go? my first 5 years 264 gold rings with my Whites PI PRO... when you hunted you could have scored a lot more... heard stories that the first hunters if they didn't score 25 gold or more in a weekend they had a bad weekend... Mike Robinson got spoiled by the huge numbers he was finding back in the day... Gary storm and I talked quite a bit about all the gold he found at the spots I hunt today... of course he was diving...and btw I started in 2006 with PI JOE and a good friend who passed away..
"Flexing? Craig I don't even know what that means! :shrug:

CJ
 
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Here's mine. Pvc and plastic canvas from Walmart. It's in the sewing/craft section at Walmart. I cut the pvc 1/4 inch longer than the plastic canvas. Assemble the frame. Zip tie the canvas to the frame about every 2 inches. Leave them kinda loose until you get all the way around to slightly stretch it like a drum.

Then cut your pool noodles the length of the pvc in-between the pvc corners. And down the middle. I do this so the pool noodle overlaps the canvas so nothing can fall out of the edges. Then zip tie the noodles on and attach a rope. The way I make mine with the smaller pool noodles only holds up about half a scoop. The next one I'll be trying with the fatter noodles.

The best part I like about this, I can turn it over once and you can use the other side.
 

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