Michael Straw Greenhorn Posts: 
| 23 Dec 2014 08:26 AM |
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I am looking at the Gold Cube and I am wondering which combo works best? There is the Cube with the Classifier Plate or the Cube with the Desert Fox Trommel. I am more interested in the quality of processed material than the quantity of material processed although quantity is a factor. If anybody has used the Desert Fox I would like their input as to its performance and durability, especially when it is with the Gold Cube.
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Ted ScrogginsGreenhorn Posts:
| 23 Dec 2014 12:54 PM |
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I have a gold cube and it works great. I can run 5 5gal buckets of black sand off the beach in about a hour and after clean up I will have less than a cup of cons with no gold loss. I had 2 other gold wheels and sold both.  |
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Les BergGreenhorn Posts:
| 29 Jan 2015 05:19 PM |
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Michael as a friend of The owner of Gold Cube I can recommend it but I always say go to a dealer and touch one with your hands. The GPAA show schedule is all over this site . stop by and the visit, well worth your entry fee. Les
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Kurt HauckGreenhorn Posts:5
| 31 Jan 2015 04:44 AM |
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From listening to Mike Pung interviews, the choice between the banker and the trommel boils down to: what are you processing. If you are working with heavy clay, the banker lets you break up the clay better. If you are working with sand or gravels, the trommel is faster.
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MIKE AULTGreenhorn Posts:
| 27 Mar 2015 08:11 PM |
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I saw Mike Pung demonstrate the gold cube at one of my local club's claims last year. I think the design is excellent, but it is not a high volume machine...don't get the shovel out. Classified to 1/4", and trowel fed only. Probably great for cleaning cons from something much larger. A larger version of this would be interesting.
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Jeff O'DonnellGreenhorn Posts:
| 17 Apr 2015 09:48 AM |
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Take a look at the Classifier Plate that Crisson Mine sells. I think it is lot better than the Cube sells. A local guy name Chris makes, trommels for the cube and other equipment. I believe the classifer from cube would not hold up. I have a cube and wish it came out before I bought all the other equipment.
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Michael StrawGreenhorn Posts:
| 06 May 2015 11:56 AM |
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This last month I took my new gold cube up to Loud Mine just to see what it could do. I ran it with the classifier on it and ran 20 five gallon buckets a day through it and had no problems other than having to cross the river to fill five buckets with dirt at a time, I drive a Jeep Wrangler Extreme so that's all I could carry at once, this was time consuming. I would have gladly paid a fee to have the tractor drop me off a load of dirt every time I needed it, but was told they don't do that. It would seem to me that getting a few bucks to run a tractor for five minutes would be a good way to pick up extra money for the clubhouse , and don't tell me it cost to much in fuel because I own the same size tractor and I know what it costs to run. Now back to the Gold Cube, Yes the cube is a little slower than the high banker but like I learned from Kevin at the last outing it is the quality of the recovery not the Quantity of the dirt processed. I would have to say that my cleanouts were the most productive that I have had since going to Loud Mine. There is a lot of Fine Gold at Loud Mine and I would have to say that the Cube catches more than a highbanker . I ran the Cube with a 12 volt 1100 gal phr pump with the pump directly in the holding pond with no problems and I shoveled the dirt directly on to the stainless steel classifier plate with no problems. I would do my cleanout after having run 20 buckets, I will admit that I was a little skeptical at first so I reran my first tailings pile and found nothing, that made a believer out of me . There are two things I would do to improve this unit, First I would run a tee fitting off the main water line and hook up a small water hose with a spray head to aid in washing out the cube during clean up and washing large rock and lastly but to me the most important, would be to have a stand with better legs for leveling because the stand that comes with the Cube is a pain in the neck with those little thumb screws and you must have the Cube level, so incorporate a level in the stand also. I will be running the Cube at the Loud Mine outing in June so stop and say Hi. Almost forgot No Gas, No Heavy Noisy Pumps, No Bulky Hoses, can be used in the Desert as a Recirculater and takes up a whole lot less room when transporting. CUBE IT OR LOOSE IT.
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Joseph CameronGreenhorn Posts:
| 03 Aug 2015 06:12 PM |
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I tried out my Gold Cube last week. Still unsure if it is as good as advertised. Sorta seemed the pump that came with it was running a tad fast.
Although it looked like the same flow rate as i have seen on the videos.
Running about half a bucket of 1/8 cons, there were 3 small, real small, pieces of gold.
Not much bigger than the grains of black sand in there.
I had powdered some rocks down to 100 mesh and was leary of running them through the Gold Cube.
There was one small piece of gold that you needed 800x to see it in the powder.
Don't think you would have ever found it in the Gold Cube.
Thoughts?
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Joseph CameronGreenhorn Posts:
| 04 Aug 2015 09:31 AM |
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I ran the rest of some 100 mesh crushed rocks.
One rock that i had for a sample had two pieces of gold.
One piece of gold that appears to have barely gotten through the 100 mesh (width was just less than 100, but length was longer. Could have gone through diagonally) and another that appears it might have been able to go through 200 mesh.
Having run the Gold Cube and it trapping some of the apperant size of 200 mesh, it would have trapped what i panned today from that one rock.
Still unsure about the real fine gold.
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robert walkerGreenhorn Posts:
| 04 Aug 2015 12:33 PM |
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Hey Joseph, I recently did a little fine gold experiment (because that's all I can find apparently)... It was all Gold Cube concentrates. First off, my gold is chunky, not big, but it hasn't been smoothed out and pounded flat, I'm pretty much sitting on the source, the gold hasn't moved more than a few 100 feet. With my shape gold, I've found the cube catches 99%+ of it in the first tray.. I don't even bother with the lower trays anymore.. I keep those in a seperate bucket and run them back through when cleaning up the panning tubs. Anyways, I decided to try classifying down further and further to see what would happen.. Apparently I was losing a lot of really fine gold... I went all the way down to a 400. A word of caution on mesh size.. When you get real small (big # mesh), the wire size really messes with the actual hole size. My 400 screen is a .001 wire size and a .0015 hole size.. My 250 is a .0015 wire size and .0025 hole size. My 120 screen is a .0043 inch hole size. So we are talking tiny stuff here, they say the naked human eye can't see anything that is .004" and below... An average human hair is about .003-.004 thick, but its long, so you can see it. I found hundreds and hundreds of pieces in the .0015 to .0025 range, but I couldn't get a good pic of it. Lets see if I can get a pic to work here. I've had no luck at all on this site getting pics to post properly. It seems the gold cube is quite capable of catching the tiny tiny tiny stuff, at least the gold that is shaped like the stuff I'm dealing with.  |
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robert walkerGreenhorn Posts:
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Joseph CameronGreenhorn Posts:
| 04 Aug 2015 04:27 PM |
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Posted By robert walker on 04 Aug 2015 12:36 PM
http://www.treasurenet.co...ound-much-yet-4.html
No luck on the pics again... But there is a link to a little write up of it, if you are interested. With pics..
from link post # 51, first pic.
the gold just to the left of center pile in the corners. That is about the size i got from a stream bed. Only three pieces.
Only classed to 1/8.
The rock crusher with 100 mesh is sorta the size of the 2nd pic. Gold was actually finer than that.
Maybe two pieces, well except for one. Do have fine dots in what i saved. Just trying to figure best way to get them out.
I don't know. I an't going to mess with this size. Sorta figured it out that it was $40.00 a yard, tad less the $40.00 with current pricing.
Going to back claim in Sept/Oct and check again. If I can get 5 pieces of what i did the first time I'll buy a small backhow 1.5 Cubic ft bucket.
Might be worth it. Private claim. For it to be so heavily mineralized I expected more.
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john McGrathGreenhorn Posts:
| 10 May 2016 06:00 PM |
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I have the gold cube 4 stack and use it exclusively for my hard rock mine. I can't afford a table right now so this works. I have to crush my ore and its -200 mesh run it through the cube dry and the cube catches all the fine flour gold no problem at all. I can't get any other piece of gear in this price range that will work this way and is so easy to use. FYI I do not know anyone who makes the machine and purchased this myself.
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Brad Lamb Basic Member Posts:334
| 24 May 2016 06:24 AM |
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First Run of New Gold Cube. Ran #10 Classified Clay (blue/grey/tan). Clean up below.
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Ed Bragg New Member Posts:75
| 24 May 2016 06:34 AM |
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Is that your cube Brad? I'm so jealous. I've had that baby on my amazon wishlist for 3 years .. the family still hasn't gotten all my hints. Lol.
Nice setup.
Ed |
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 24 May 2016 06:47 AM |
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Thanks Ed! The stork delivered her from Dahlonega last week.
I sold some dust collecting equipment to make room for this. The Cube has replaced 2-3 other weapons in my gold collecting arsenal.
I was skeptical until I ran some really gooey clay through it and found zero color in my tailings.
I should delete this post and pics as the Gold Cube is a secret weapon, at least to me.
Golden Days and Golden Trails Ed!
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 24 May 2016 06:50 AM |
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If you buy a Gold Cube and want the Gold Banker (look at photo, to the left of the Cube), talk to Tammy at Crisson Gold Mine and Mining Equipment. They make a custom "gold banking classifier" that is built like a tank for the same money as the lighter duty version that is OEM.
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Ed BraggNew Member Posts:75
| 24 May 2016 07:49 AM |
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Unless I hit the lottery, I'm going to hold off on buying one this year. Maybe I'll win one at an outing, gold show, or one of the various raffles I've entered the past few weeks.
Did you pre-process the clay before putting it in the cube?
Ed |
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 24 May 2016 08:04 AM |
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RE: Clay
I "soaked" it for 2 days after classification to #10. It soaked in a 5 gallon bucket with about a large table spoon of Dawn Ultra. I vigorously stirred the material until it was like a cement mix and nearly uniform. I still had to hand knead several golf ball size and smaller clay balls prior to feeding the gold cube.
I was very concerned as the amount of clay in the material is very high. I was nearly convinced that running the material would be an exercise in futility.
I am a GOLD CUBE BELIEVER. Knowing what I know now, If I just starting in this hobby/pastime/retirement career (read obsession, ), I would start with pans, classifiers and a Gold Cube .
The key is classification and making sure that any heavy clay material is busted up to smaller than marble size prior to feeding, even after classifying. |
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Jason TaborGreenhorn Posts:
| 26 May 2016 04:14 PM |
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I bought a Gold Cube with the high banker and I love it. I use a hand brush I got at the dollar store to brush the larger rocks off it, but I am always amazed at how easy it is to use. Almost works itself.
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Scott RankinGreenhorn Posts:
| 29 May 2016 02:06 PM |
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Michael,
I have been using the Cube for a bit now and just purchased the classifier palte attachment... It works absolutely awesome however once my friend allowed me to borrow the fox... things just got easier. Now for obvious reasons the set up isnt the best for the desert conditions however, but I'm working on a recirculating clean concept that will allow me the use both with minimal water toting. The Classifier Plate is extremely easy to use as long as you have one man feeding and another man watching the plate.
Scott
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Michael StrawGreenhorn Posts:
| 02 Jun 2016 05:33 PM |
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I have been using the Gold Cube at Loud Mine for several years and there is no better unit for catching fine gold. On the way home from Loud Mine last month to Pensacola Florida I had my water tray and two stacks blow off my roof rack of my jeep, needless to say they got destroyed called the folks at Gold Cube and told them of my plight. Three days later I received the three pieces I needed, the price I paid gave me the same type of rush as if I had found a nugget in my pan ,what great folks at Gold Cube. Moral of the story: Don't Trust Harbor Freight Bungee Cords
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Mary McCartyBasic Member Posts:140
| 04 Jun 2016 10:33 AM |
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One of these is now on my wish list. Been pricing them and there is a huge variation in prices with the average being around $400.00. There is a good looking one on Ebay tho' with a filtered water recirculating system that is only $200.00. It does not appear to be a brand name "gold cube" but certainly looks similar to the actual item in question. No significant difference. Suspect it is likely made in China but ime they are VERY good at imitating many things for lower prices and relatively equal quality?
Comments?
Thanks!
Katra12 |
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 04 Jun 2016 02:12 PM |
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They are not the same as the Gold Cube. If you have a chance to see them side by side, and feel the matting and the construction tolerance differences and the WARRANTY, there is actually very little to compare. The Gold Cubes are designed, manufactured and shipped from the United States, near Oklahoma City.
I looked at the pirated versions and they are not nearly of the quality of the original.
If you can, buy American, please.
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Ed BraggNew Member Posts:75
| 04 Jun 2016 11:35 PM |
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I'm just going to enter every lottery and contest and try to win one .. still a bit out of my price range since I particularly want the trommel version now that I've seen it.
I've had a gold cube on my amazon wishlist for over 3 years now.... Why doesn't anybody pay attention... hehe
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Michael StrawGreenhorn Posts:
| 06 Jun 2016 09:09 AM |
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There is a big difference in the Gold Cube and it is in the angle of the vortex trays, which the folks at Gold Cube hold the patent on ,this why the Cube can not be fully duplicated by other companies. You can also get reconditioned cubes and trays through Gold Cube at an excellent price.
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Mary McCartyBasic Member Posts:140
| 06 Jun 2016 10:15 AM |
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Lol! Yes, I do buy American most of the time. Easier to track quality and make sure sellers stand behind the product. Kinda hard to harass a seller from China.
If and when I can get to a show, I would like to see them side by side to compare them in person. Excellent concept. I am not currently in good gold country (Valentine Nebraska) but hope to summer in Colorado. I am a contract worker so work 3 to 6 months in one place. I want to winter in Washington State. Hopefully when I get back into gold country, I will be able to justify the expense; Especially if I can prospect on GPAA claims.
Not sure what part of Colorado I'll end up in. Wondering how many GPAA claims there are in Colorado and how good they are?
Worth the cost of a gold cube? |
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Mary McCartyBasic Member Posts:140
| 06 Jun 2016 10:21 AM |
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Just out of curiosity, is China held responsible to American Patents? |
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 07 Jun 2016 07:35 AM |
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Mary,
Ideally, someone on here may have tried or seen one of the Gold Cube knockoffs used next to The Gold Cube.
Michael's idea about contacting Mike or Red (owners of The Gold Cube) for a re-furb model is outstanding. I wish I had thought of that.
Golden Trails and Days,
Brad |
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Mary McCartyBasic Member Posts:140
| 07 Jun 2016 08:04 AM |
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Posted By Brad Lamb on 07 Jun 2016 07:35 AM
Mary,
Ideally, someone on here may have tried or seen one of the Gold Cube knockoffs used next to The Gold Cube.
Michael's idea about contacting Mike or Red (owners of The Gold Cube) for a re-furb model is outstanding. I wish I had thought of that.
Golden Trails and Days,
Brad
Yes, I also liked the suggestion about purchasing a refurb. Wonder what they cost?
At the moment tho', I have a space issue. I move every 3 to 6 months and everything I own must fit into a Mazda 2 hatchback. I might have to mail my Miller table home to my sister but am re-assessing my living needs right now and plan to mail home anything I have not used in the past 9 months to make space in the car for a small amount of prospecting equipment and pursue that as a primary hobby. Am also looking into a car top carrier to increase my capacity. Since I can more or less choose the area of the country where I will accept jobs, I can attempt to stay in better gold country after this contract is up in July.
Thanks!
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Brad LambBasic Member Posts:334
| 08 Jun 2016 05:17 AM |
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The Gold Cube, being modular, will pack much better than a traditional highbanker, plus, it can be run from either a 12v battery and bilge pump or a 110v set up. If you wanted true "off the grid" capabilities, you could pick up the small (1" output) clear water gasoline powered pump from harbor freight or northern tools for less than 170.00 (159.99 at harbor frieght).
If I was to start over, I would only use The Gold Cube, classifying everything to 12+. If you plan to buy a "gold banker" for the top of it, call Crisson Gold Mine. They sell a custom, all metal, hopper type classifier that works as well as anything I ever seen and is durable enough to shovel into. I would recommend classifying everything, regardless of which washing method that you use (highbanker, sluice, gold cube, miller table, etc...) to the size of the gold you expect to catch, based upon your test pans.
Great Questions Mary!
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Mary McCartyBasic Member Posts:140
| 08 Jun 2016 06:06 PM |
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Thanks Brad. |
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William AdamsNew Member Posts:25
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William AdamsNew Member Posts:25
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A. BRENT HARSHBARGERNew Member Posts:40
| 11 Jan 2018 07:28 PM |
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I love my cube with the trommel! No need to classify unless you have clay. Pick out big rocks and pre wash in the hopper but can run 2" rocks easily. Nice it adjusts the angle for how fast your material runs through. I always fill my buckets of pay with water and the rocks wash easier in the hopper than just dry material.
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Joe HutchinsonGreenhorn Posts:2
| 16 Jan 2018 12:52 PM |
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Best Machine Ever will get all the gold you put in it always ends up on the first tray no matter the size gold.
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Alfred ZimmermanGreenhorn Posts:1
| 22 Mar 2020 11:54 PM |
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well i am getting old.and ready to retire in 6 yr . so i decided to get a hobby , panning for gold . i got a flow pan , a gold cube , and a black magic miller table plus pans , classifiers and a few other things. taking a 2week vacation to Idaho & Washington in July with the guidance , claims , and maps from the G.P.A.A. I JUST joined early this year . i will be practicing in some streams locally until then . i should be good in 6 years [YOU WOULD THINK ] wish me luck this has been a lot of fun so far!
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Lee JohnsonNew Member Posts:46
| 31 May 2021 11:20 PM |
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How much is the returned units. And which would you use a 3 or 4 stack
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