A shale shaker (10) or vibratory separator which, in one aspect, has a base (22), vibration isolation apparatus on the base (22), a basket (12), mount apparatus (16) for mounting the basket on the base (22), and at least one of the base (22), basket (12), and the mount apparatus (16) made of, encased in, or coated with composite material which, in certain aspects, is all or part flexible composite material; and methods of using such separators and shakers.