my first t-14
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Guest
i have just finished my first t-14 martin house i will have to say that the t 14 is a very nice house i have 4 other house and 18 gourds the t 14 seems to be very heavey house iam going to build the the pole like the plans say put iam still wored about the weigh does anyone have any sugeston
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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
What kind of pole is suggested? I had a T-14 on a 4x4 pole, and that is not a problem..you also need a good winch..
My problem has always been with the ground socket, or with the part going into the ground and cement..I have found a way to hold up any pole that I really like. I buy 2 pieces of angle iron, 3inches on each side of the angle iron. I buy the pieces long enough to go into the ground and extend the angle iron about 3 to 4 ft above the ground. I dig my holes as deep as I can with the post hole digger, and use cement to hold up the angle iron...This will hold up any pole. I also have a couple holes cut into the angle iron so that you can put some small bolts thru it to further hold it up. I also clamp the pole to the angle iron...I went to a welding shop, they cut the angle iron to any length, then I marked the angle iron with their piece of chalk, and they cut the holes into it with their torch, everything was done in about 10 minutes at the welding shop
I also use metal poles. I use old scrap oilfield drill pipe, and it is cemented directly into the ground. It also is very strong.
My problem has always been with the ground socket, or with the part going into the ground and cement..I have found a way to hold up any pole that I really like. I buy 2 pieces of angle iron, 3inches on each side of the angle iron. I buy the pieces long enough to go into the ground and extend the angle iron about 3 to 4 ft above the ground. I dig my holes as deep as I can with the post hole digger, and use cement to hold up the angle iron...This will hold up any pole. I also have a couple holes cut into the angle iron so that you can put some small bolts thru it to further hold it up. I also clamp the pole to the angle iron...I went to a welding shop, they cut the angle iron to any length, then I marked the angle iron with their piece of chalk, and they cut the holes into it with their torch, everything was done in about 10 minutes at the welding shop
I also use metal poles. I use old scrap oilfield drill pipe, and it is cemented directly into the ground. It also is very strong.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
I didn't see in the plans where any ventilation holes were recommended.
This worries me a little. What have folks done to ventilate the t14? If I drill holes, do I need to put a bit of screen in there? also, there were no drainage holes in the plans. Any ideas there? I hope to have this baby up in the air by Sunday, but with the entrances plugged.
Thanks
Bill, Rowlett Tx
This worries me a little. What have folks done to ventilate the t14? If I drill holes, do I need to put a bit of screen in there? also, there were no drainage holes in the plans. Any ideas there? I hope to have this baby up in the air by Sunday, but with the entrances plugged.
Thanks
Bill, Rowlett Tx
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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
I put drainage holes in all 4 corners, but mine never got water in it so they weren't needed..
I put vents in with a 1/4in drill bit, I slanted them upward about 45 to 60degrees, so water would not get in. Wooden cedar houses as a general rule do not get as hot as aluminum houses.
I put vents in with a 1/4in drill bit, I slanted them upward about 45 to 60degrees, so water would not get in. Wooden cedar houses as a general rule do not get as hot as aluminum houses.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
Doe, if you laminate a 1x6 between 2- 2x6s and put 3" deck screws as called for by the plans, it will handle the load. I did modify mine somewhat to allow the entire assembly to tilt down. 
What if you have problems with the top of the pole and you need to access the pulley? Are you going to climb up there? Otherwise, it works great.
What if you have problems with the top of the pole and you need to access the pulley? Are you going to climb up there? Otherwise, it works great.