Making A Wooden Dirt Sifter
Jan 4, 2011 2:42:26 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2011 2:42:26 GMT -5
I made this simple, wooden dirt sifter recently and thought I would share it if anyone interested would like to make one for themselves. Found it on the shelf in my trap shed down cellar last night and decided to photograph it a couple of hours ago for this post.
This sifter is from a slightly modified pattern from the first one that I made in 1954, after seeing what my professional trapping mentor used.
It is made out of 3/4" scrap pine stock 3" wide. The mesh is 1/4" hardware cloth. I assembled it with large 3" finishing nails and used wood glue on the joints before nailing. Wood screws may have been better, but the nails were handy at the time. The wire was secured to the bottom with 1/2" staples driven in by hand with a hammer - not a staple gun.
I chose to make the front piece fit inside rather than the outside as a matter of preference - looks better to me is about all. I rounded off the top outside edges and all sides and ends of the handles to minimize splintering.
The dimensions of this one have been perfect for my use and needs over the years. It just fits right, feels good in the hands, easy to grip and comfortable to use with gloves on.
Make one to fit you size wise. Many trappers prefer a square compartment, with or without handles. To me, the rectangular shape makes sifting easier with that extra couple of inches of "length" to work with when using both hands.
I haven't officially used this one yet on the trapline, and don't plan on treating the wood with anything. All I ever did with my first ones was to dunk them in a sumac dye bath for a few minutes - that stained it.
Offered as an idea for those younger/beginning trappers who may not have a sifter yet.
Jonathan
This sifter is from a slightly modified pattern from the first one that I made in 1954, after seeing what my professional trapping mentor used.
It is made out of 3/4" scrap pine stock 3" wide. The mesh is 1/4" hardware cloth. I assembled it with large 3" finishing nails and used wood glue on the joints before nailing. Wood screws may have been better, but the nails were handy at the time. The wire was secured to the bottom with 1/2" staples driven in by hand with a hammer - not a staple gun.
I chose to make the front piece fit inside rather than the outside as a matter of preference - looks better to me is about all. I rounded off the top outside edges and all sides and ends of the handles to minimize splintering.
The dimensions of this one have been perfect for my use and needs over the years. It just fits right, feels good in the hands, easy to grip and comfortable to use with gloves on.
Make one to fit you size wise. Many trappers prefer a square compartment, with or without handles. To me, the rectangular shape makes sifting easier with that extra couple of inches of "length" to work with when using both hands.
I haven't officially used this one yet on the trapline, and don't plan on treating the wood with anything. All I ever did with my first ones was to dunk them in a sumac dye bath for a few minutes - that stained it.
Offered as an idea for those younger/beginning trappers who may not have a sifter yet.
Jonathan