How do I check my Clinger entrances

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Guest

Could someone tell me how to check the size on my BO-11's with Clinger entrances. I have 24 new one's going up and want to make sure the holes were molded to the size they need to be. Thanks Trent
John Miller
Posts: 4867
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

You may want to start with a cheap set of digital calipers...I ordered some once from Harbor Freight.

Then you use these to measure and make a simple "no-go" gauge. You cut something like thin but rigid aluminum, plastic -- some folks use a credit card -- tapered at the top and flat at the bottom. Then draw a thin line precisely at the correct height.

Someone here can give us the height of the clinger digitally...on a ruler, a standard crescent is 1 3 16 and the clinger probably is 1/32 or a hair less taller, so almost 1 7/32.

will post a photo of a gauge. Here they have drawn two lines, one at 30.0 mm (1 3/16 for a crescent) and one at 30.5 mm, the slightly larger size of some SREH. Two lines are a good idea, but again..we need someone to tell us the exact height of the clinger...I think it's a hair under 30.5 but more than 30.0.


John
Guest

Thanks John, I have a set of calipers and can tell by your picture how to do it. Now if I can just get the dimensions. Thanks again for your help.
Trent
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

Trent, John has exactly the right idea. I made mine where the caliper changed much slower, and the same lines on mine are about an inch apart.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

John,

Great job with the photo and description. Many will benefit from this. You might want to start a thread with it even.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
jeanf
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:35 pm
Location: Harker Heights, TX

Thanks for this, John!!
Jean
Harker Heights, TX
New landlord to a site that's been occupied for a few years.
Tim Stover
Posts: 505
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:04 pm
Location: Tennesse/Madisonville

most of my clingers mic. out at 1" 1.875 which is 1" an 3/16 exactly
2009 2pair 2010 24pair 2011 106 pair
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
Tim Stover
Posts: 505
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:04 pm
Location: Tennesse/Madisonville

i mic. some new clinger entrance they mic 1.200 to 1.205
2009 2pair 2010 24pair 2011 106 pair
2012 124 pair
2013 145
2014 170 pair
+
V & B's Michigan PM's
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:43 am
Location: Michigan,Rogers City

My clingers are 1.200 to 1.205 in height
Val & Brian
V & B's Michigan PM's
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:43 am
Location: Michigan,Rogers City

1 and 3/16 is 1.1875 in decimal. Cresent height!
Val & Brian
Post Reply