A gas-powered vacuum cleaner for use in gold prospecting

Step 5 Finished!

There is the "finished" product. There are a couple of issues that still need ironing out. I need to put handles on it somehow so I can pick it up easily when it is full of dirt. Picking it up by the leaf blower handle isn't going to work. Also, there is no automatic shutdown mechanism when the tank is full like the original electric unit had. I'll just have to keep an eye on the level of material in it. I can't wait to take it out in the field and give it a try.

Note: If you build one of these, I highly recommend you use ear protection while running it. It is very loud and the hose isn't long enough to allow you to get too far away from it. Also, a dust mask would be a good idea. This unit has no filter, and so blows a lot of fine dust out when vacuuming up dry material.

More information on my projects can be found at http://www.mdpub.com