In Search of the Perfect Sifter

[landman]

Ok water hunting fans. Some of us used to use sifters, some currently do and others have been thinking about it and the newbies need to know about them to decide where they stand.
In the late 90's I had a sifter made of two halves of styrofoam cut 2'x2' with the square center cut out with about a 4" border. I duct taped each half wrapping the tape around and around to cover all areas of the foam. I then used 1/2" screen sandwiched in between the halves and used zip ties to secure the halves together. Wrapped a nylon 1/4" rope with a clasp on the end to hook to my belt. problem was with my heavy Sunspot scoop I kept punching holes through the hardware metal mesh cloth. So I got me a piece of stainless steel mesh. 3/8th holes I do believe. I was a bit heavy but a beast. Sold it and now I'm regretting it. Enclosed is a photo I've saved from some-other's floating sifter.

 

[spdnj]

Where do you get one of those?? Or at least what is that called if you can't post the name of the dealer?

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

i am still looking for the perfect sifter. we only use sifters around here when we work certain parts of the chesapeake bay - waves toooo big in ocean .

here are the two rare jewels i have. i use the rectangular one now. the green one was a plastic christmas tree stand i bought for 8 bucks..........................still looking

i have seen several others posted on forums, maybe we can get some more pics from others, always helps to have new thoughts.
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[hunter 18]

My own home made one no metal so you can use a pinpoint or pass your coil over if is to much muck for river or lakes
the tubes are foam fill or you can used as is!!!

 

[Beachcomber]

the foam noodles like the one's on Max's photos. Every Walmart sells them and have good supplies available right now as we are just getting ready to head back into swim season. They are in the Pool Supply section of the store. I have been using the for years and they work great. Much lighter and cheaper than PVC. Don't have to worry about leaks like you do with the inner tube type.

HH

Beachcomber

 

[landman]

The trouble with the design of a basket and foam noodles is the buoyancy of it in the water. Not enough heft or weight so it seems. With this one though the 4" PVC gives it a good weight and strength of construction. I like it. Hunter 18 could you elaborate on how you made this. Is it all 4" PVC cut and glued? What are the dimensions? Did you get the basket at Walmart?
Have you used it much. How do you like it and why? Thanks.

 

[hunter 18]

Hey Landman
the deal is this
Its PVC 3" the 4" is to big 3" is just right
you will require 4elbows 2 Pisces PVC tubing 9" and 2x12"
the 12" is for the long side and the 9" for the short as you see in the photo
the basket is from Walwart
it is 16" long by 13W by 6" deep
the holes on the side are already their you will have to drill the bottom 1/2 or the same as the sides
put the glue in the elbows put a generous amount make sure you do this on a flat surface to keep the Pisces as straited as possible
push them as tight as possible and put a rope or a belt around the frame to keep the frame from disconnecting let it dried for about 1Hr. then put the basket in use the tie raps and you are ready !
good luck
L.
PS. cut the handles of the basket that way it will fit snog in place !
by the way here is one made with a the tube this photo is from another member that is how i came on making the PVC

 

[Beachcomber]

I have been using the Foam noodles now for about 8-9 years. Haven't had any buoyancy issues but then you need to use the right diameter noodle for the size of the bucket. The noodles come in several diameters and shapes.

HH

Beachcomber

 

[JW]

http://www.kellycodetectors.com/accessories/detectoraccessories.htm

 

[Magicman]

Hey Hunter 18,

That looks like the sifter I made, except for I have black ties. I also have two landyards, one I attach to my belt and the other I attach my mask and snorkle.

 

[hunter 18]

Hey Rich good job

 

[Cupajo]

The smaller green sifter is to allow quick easy extraction of large debris. It is attached to the white part with a short lanyard and easily lifted out with its contents if necessary and flipped out of the way when using the larger sifter The 3/16 holes in the white sifter catch nearly all of the no-see-ums and allow you to quickly locate them in dim light with a Vibra-probe. No metal in the construction except fo the belt clasp and fishing weights. The white part came from our local recycling center and was free. It had been used by lobstermen for general purpose hauling and storeage of gear.

Notice the fishing weights on a 10' lanyard, used to control the thing in moderate waves. The open part of the noodle is the rear. The front part has a lanyard and spring clasp for hooking to my belt. I've had great success using this, my "Super Sifter" for many a hunt. I don't recomend using it in real waves, because it quickly becomes more of a problem than a help!

GL&HH,

Cupajo

PS Many thanks to kaptainkosmic for his helping me work out some of the details in putting my "Super Sifter' together!

 

[landman]

Nice design, light and easy to transport. My only concern for making one of these and I might is the weight.
Is it stable in the water? The PVC version that I just got done making last night is heavy but I'm betting it will react in the water just the way I want it to. Only draw back was the price to construct $60 and weight to transport, it's kind of heavy.

 

[Cupajo]

It's set up to have the white bottom at water level and when I dump my huge scoop it settles deep enough to allow the green sifter to be used.

Both of the scoops I use hold about a gallon, maybe more of material. (See them in the scoops post on this page.)

I won't always dump a scoop full of course, but certainly can if I wish.

I'm a plumber and tried the PVC route long ago and prefer what I use now.

When the floatie wears out they can be bought on sale for less than $10.00!

Everything else is darn near bomb proof!

Having the little green sifter (An old Garrett) in there is handy too!