What brand sifter do you use? Is it aluminum or steel? My lifetime aluminum sifter from Minnesota is breaking loose from the few spot welds, I've had it 9 years so I think I got my money out of it. So I don't believe they sell it anymore. So I'm in the market for a new one. What do you suggest? I do like the aluminum for being light in weight but not against a steel one.

I would think weight is the main consideration. At the "heavy" extreme is probably the Freedom Brand Pro sifter:



It's heavy and a bit bulky, but it's super-sturdy also great for scooping dirt (works great as its own scoop, breaking through tough dirt). If you want to keep your gear light and streamlined, it wouldn't be a good choice.

I guess I'm trying to say it's all about tradeoffs and what's important to you.

The duper duty sisters are kinda heavy to carry around. I get it if you are sifting mud, but you should be using some other material and have little sifting to do in that case. I just make a few from bread pans and always have extras if one breaks.

Wife and myself each have the one O'gormans sells
I've had mine for 26 years, ms.V has had hers 16 years.

I've forgotten mine before and coyote chewed on it, and I've rode over it with wheeler.

So trapline tested, and still good.

I made one from a three pound Folgers coffee 25 years ago and that sucker is still kicking

Yote, what is the diameter of the FB Pro sifters without the handles? I’m looking for a sifter that I can turn upside down and will fit inside a 5 gallon bucket.

I think mine was called a texas teacup made of aluminum with a mug type handle. Bought it years ago. Works great. My original one i made from folding galvanized lathe wire i had left from laying tile and stone. Had a couple others with the wood frame and steel mesh. The teacup rules. U can even shred pinestraw in it for blind sets

I make my own out of a rectangle of 1 1/2" angle iron, miter the corners and weld them solid and then cover the bottom with expanded metal welded in. If you use 1/16" thick angle they aren't super heavy but they are VERY sturdy.

I don't know those girls.

I have several commercial made sifters. But the one I use all the time is one I made. I bought a medium size aluminum pot at a second hand store for 50 cents. I drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom and shortened the handle. It holds a good amount of dirt and is easy to sift the dirt right where I want it. And it fits better in my trappers bag or bucket.

Fits nice in a bag, pack, or bucket.

Who makes this? It looks like this is what I'm looking for

Being cheap.....I cut the bottom out of a plastic cat food bucket, left a slight rim on the bottom and zippy tied a piece of 1/4" hardware cloth to it...

Not pretty or especially rugged but gets the job done.....lol

I’m who makes them. COONCREEKTRAPPERS.com sales them.

I like this set for $20. They are small and have different screen sizes. works for different soil types. I have my big bulky one on the atv, but when I need to take a long hike, they work

https://www.target.com/p/sluice-fox-6-inch-gold-classifiers-set-of-four-stacking-sifting-pans-with-stainless-steel-mesh-strainers-for-gold-panning/-/A-1002185726?TCID=OGS&AFID=google&CPNG=Patio%2BGarden+-+Target+Plus&adgroup=337-4&srsltid=AfmBOopsQMdfxzvGWPd5RP9tccufmN7O9e741bsPL-sfn2p0Eo-chYa8pMg

You guys sure do. Complicate things.

Those critters don’t know the difference between a Folgers can or sauce pan with holes drilled in the bottom of it than a $30 sifter.

Sorry for multiple post the most famous Trapper I know, and everybody on here knows him uses a saucepan with holes drill in the bottom of it and has for years. But if you wanna spend the money, spend the money.

I like this one. Nice and light and the holes are small.

I don't like this one. Too heavy and too big of holes for pebbles get to through

That's an easy fix with a welder, or I made mine from some scrap West Red Cedar and a small piece of scrap hardware cloth.