Build-Your-Own Core Catcher

Having trouble keeping all your sediment intact within your sediment cores? We have a solution for you. The purpose of the sediment core catcher is to grasp and keep within your core all the layers of sediment that you expect to collect through your method of capture. It is essentially a fail-safe for your core to not fall out of the aluminum (or polycarbonate) tube!

7.62 cm diameter polycarbonate or aluminum tube 

Ruler or tape measure

Heavy-duty plastic cutters

Pliers or vice grips for bending material

First, measure out 25 cm of the tube used to craft the core catcher and cut the tube along that line horizontally.

Then, measure 12.5 cm from one end of the tube and draw a mark around the circumference of the tube. This will be where you end the incisions for making the flanges.

Divide the newly marked circumference into 10 evenly spaced out sections (or as best as you can get as 2 of the flanges you will be cutting will be disposed of to allow fitment.)

Use the cutters to cut along the 10 lines to create the flanges that will be needed. 

Once you have your 10 flanges, cut two of the flanges completely through and remove them. This will allow for fitment inside the 7.62 cm diameter aluminum tube once inserted.

Use the pliers or vice grips to bend each flange at 3cm inward so the flaps angle inwards toward the center of the tube.

Insert the newly made catcher into the bottom of your tubing of choice with the flanges facing up into the tube. When collecting the sample, the flanges will allow the sediment to pass through the core catcher. Pulling the core out will cause the flanges to bend inward to prevent the collected core from falling out.

Use other means to secure the core catcher to the tubing.