Yukon Gold Rocker Pg. 4

Step 9. Place the riffle seater into the rocker box with the closely spaced riffles facing toward the front, close to the riffle bar.

Using wood clamps to hold into position, drill three well placed holes into each of the riffle runners (hold down for the riffle seater 1" x 2" x 44"), for the carriage bolts using wing nuts to hold down the carpeting into position 6 places.

Step 10. make the baffle board out of outdoor carpeting 10" x 16" and 2 pieces of 1" x 1" x 16" hold down placed onto a piece of 1/4" x 10/16" plywood; make to fit.

Step 11. Tack or brad-nail the baffle board to the baffle board-holders on the sides of the rocker box. Nail or woodscrew the ends of the hold downs to the sides of the rocker box.

Step 12. Attach the 2 x 4s making the rocker base.

Step 13. Place a galvanized strip on the bolt holders, (mate to the rockers) and brad-nail the tin onto the tops. Tin strips cut from a coffee can could be used.

Drill a 3/8" hole to the desired depth (about 2") at the center of the 2" x 4" x 12" bolt holders. Cut two 3/8" carriage bolts to 3" long and fit snugly into each of the 3/8" holes that you have just drilled.

Step 14. Cut 2 pieces of 2" x 4" x 18" for the rockers (mate to the bolt holders). Brad-nail galvanized tin strips (or coffee can tin strips) to the rounded tops.

Be sure to leave a 4" flat on top of the rockers as this gives the aggregate a jolting, jiggling action during the washing movement. Establish the exact center to each of the rockers and drill a 3/8" hole to a "2" depth.

Step 15. Emlarge the bottom of the hole with a small wood chisel or screw driver, so that the end of the carriage bolt has room to swing in.

Step 16. When installing the rockers to the underside of the rocker box, position the woodscrews so that they do not fall under a riffle; place between a riffle, countersink for the screw heads.

Mount the front rocker into position by placing the rocker box unit onto the bolt holders. Make the alignment by placing the rear rocker onto the rear bolt holders and woodscrew this into the proper position to the rocker box, countersinking the wood-screw heads that are used in this step.

Step 17. Install 1" x 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" pine raiser block and fasten this into position on the outside of the rocker box in a convenient place so that the handle can clear the sifter header box. Bolt the rocking handle through the raiser block and rocker box; adjust to fit. Note wheels to be used on sand and gravel in the bush outback.

Step 18. Your Yukon gold rocker is now completed and all that remains to be done is to give the unit several coats of shellac, followed by either epoxy, marine varnish or a waterproofing sealer.

Step 19. Cut the outdoor carpeting to fit and run the carpeting up the far end of this unit. Staple the carpeting to the rocker flooring without using any glue.

Step 20. Assemble the unit and check for proper rocker alignment.

At a later date you will most likely want to clean up the carpeting for any gold that might be in hiding, so make it easier for yourself by using staples.

Good luck in your search for the elusive gold!