Gourd Rack Arms DIY question

Fireflyfisherman · Sat Jan 28, 2017 1:11 pm

I'm working on modifying a Heath gourd rack, making the arms 3/8" aluminum to hang my 4 Supergourds from. The project is costing about $15 so it is a very cheap way to see if the martins will use the gourds. Ive made the arms out of 36" rods with hitch pins drilled into the ends and I have noticed a bit of bouncing of the gourds when up in the wind. Is 36" too long? would it be better to move the pins in a bit and make the total rod length shorter? I know that martin landlords are big time modifiers and DIYers so I just wanted to get y'alls input. Thanks and heres to an exciting 2017 season.

~Ray~Gingerich · Tue Jan 31, 2017 11:14 am

Yes, I think 36" is too long. Take a look at the K-series and deluxe racks, the arms on those are only 14"
It might work if you could find a way to strengthen the rod, maybe double it up for part of the length?

RickLe · Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:05 pm

Can you take a photo and post it? Might help
My gourd rack is close to that length but it's supported in the middle on the pole making each side closer to 14-18 inches

Mhoover · Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:38 pm

I have an S&K Ultimate gourd rack and the rods extend out about 15 inches beyond the hub that supports them. I agree with Ray and RickLe that 14 inches is a good length to use since only 4 gourds will be used.

Fireflyfisherman · Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:40 pm

I worded that wrong. The rod for the arm is 36" and is supported in the middle making each side just about 17" long. Is there a preferred distance the gourds should be from the pole. I'm probably over thinking this stuff. How did y'all attach the gourds to the pole? I used a hitch pin on the tip, nylon washer, gourd, nylon washer and electric tape. I used electric tape to make sure the rod doesn't slide one way or the other.

*as you can see, my boy is very excited for another one of dad's projects.

Mhoover · Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:17 pm

You could use Ray's suggestion for doubling up the hanging rod from the pole out to the gourd. or just move the gourds closer to the pole by moving your anchoring area.
I drilled the ends of my hanging rods about an inch in and used small hitch pins and nylon ties to hold the gourds in place. If you want to use the nylon ties method just wrap the ties around the hanging rod on the outside of the hitch pin and then around the neck of the gourd before fastening the ties. The ties reduce the swing of the gourds a lot so it could be a drawback if you like for the gourds to swing free.
I had two pairs use the rack last year and it was up less than a week when they claimed 2 of the 8 gourds on the rack.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Tue Jan 31, 2017 5:28 pm

I have Do-it-yourself racks with longer arms and a wooden hub. The arms tend to sag at the hub, so you may need stronger arms. I had to modify mine as the wood warped at the longer arms. Plastic gourds are heavy, so its better to have shorter arms with them, or have thicker arms that are well supported. The problems occurs during high wind storms.

Fireflyfisherman · Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:02 pm

How are y'all adding extra support/reinforcing your arm rods? I will probably move the gourds in and shorten the arms but leave enough room for the gourds to swing and not hit each other.

John & Linda - KY · Wed Feb 01, 2017 1:45 pm

You don't have to shorten the rods unless you just want to. Simply mount the gourds closer to the hub and fasten them securely. The martins will use the extra length as a perching spot. Mine are mounted by drilling a hole through the neck of the gourd 1/64" larger than the o.d. of the rod, sliding the gourd on the rod, and using about a 1/2" length of appropriately sized Tygon tubing on each side of the gourd, clamped with automotive hose clamps. So it ends up being a sandwich of Tygon tubing, gourd, Tygon tubing. You can get the Tygon tubing at a hardware or farm supply store. -- John