I am going to expanding my housing this year. I managed to have one pair & raised three in 2010. I am excited about this year. Right now I have a T14 & six gourds. I am building another T14 & I want to add another gourd rack. Can anybody give me some advice on the pvc racks? I am going to set it up on a pole with a winch. I am just wondering wether to build one out of pvc or just bite the bullet & buy one.
Thanks
Bret
Gourd racks
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
My BIL had a pvc pole that was 4in diameter. He had a sliding rack on it but the rack was made from wood with conduit for arms. It seemed to hold up real good for him. I doubt that pvc arms would work because they would sag and bend downward after the gourd is up for a while. Also, the UV rays would deterioate the pvc after its up for a few years.
In my opinion, a square aluminum pole is so much more desirable. The rack would not rotate on a square pole, and it would not rust or rot, and the sun would not decay it. If you plan to live at your present location for quite a few years, then I would invest in a great pole. The pole is the most important part of a system, a bit like the foundation on a house.
A 2in aluminum pole is ok for lighter loads, and a 3in would be required if you put a T-14 on it, or a lot of heavy gourds. It all depends upon how much weight you put on, whether you need a 2in or a 3in pole..
Whether to build one or buy one depends upon your fabricating skills, your patience, etc. Usually, it costs nearly as much to build as it does to purchase a good aluminum pole and rack, but you may enjoy building it yourself.
In my opinion, a square aluminum pole is so much more desirable. The rack would not rotate on a square pole, and it would not rust or rot, and the sun would not decay it. If you plan to live at your present location for quite a few years, then I would invest in a great pole. The pole is the most important part of a system, a bit like the foundation on a house.
A 2in aluminum pole is ok for lighter loads, and a 3in would be required if you put a T-14 on it, or a lot of heavy gourds. It all depends upon how much weight you put on, whether you need a 2in or a 3in pole..
Whether to build one or buy one depends upon your fabricating skills, your patience, etc. Usually, it costs nearly as much to build as it does to purchase a good aluminum pole and rack, but you may enjoy building it yourself.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
I hung 6 bo 11 plus gourds from a T-14 I built and used angle aluminum stock. I'm not sure you can get the detail from the picture but the aluminum was very easy to work with and seems quite strong.
2014 - 31 breeding pair, 165 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged
2013 - 36 breeding pair, 178 fledged
2012 - 35 Breeding Pair, 154 hatched, 14 eggs left
2011 - 26 Breeding Pair, 119 eggs, 93 hatchlings so far!
2010 - 21 breeding pair, 93 eggs, 60 hatchlings. 2009 - 4 breeding Pairs, 19 eggs, 18 fledged