My new gourds that I raised

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

This is my gourd rack from last year (I had pvc pipe gourds on it last year but gave them away). I painted it and hung this years gourds on it I used the square pvc fence post for entrances on 19 of these, and 4in pvc on the other 5, all have flat floor entrances, ppca & sand on them for traction

No wires are used to hang the gourds, pvc pipe is put into the gourd instead of using wires, the pvc pipe slips over the emt tubing arms. They can swing a little bit.

The pvc pipe is not directly in line with the gourd entrance, so the gourds swing a little bit when a bird lands, but not much. It can rotate about 60degrees thru the slot that I have in the pvc pipe.

Once the pipe is in the gourd, it hangs the same way, so its very easy to slip it on the emt arms, put a wire thru the holes, an slightly bend the wire or tie it a little, no adjusting of any kind. I really do like this method

None of the gourds hang directly over another gourd, each arm is 15 deg from the above arm

[floridasunshinegoddess]

This looks like a perfect setup. What more could a Martin want?
Barb

[Adam Romain]

SWEET!!!

[Guest]

Emil,

I already have you thumbnailed, to mimic, in 2007. That rack design is simple enough and should be quite lasting.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

docgipe, here is how I started mine. I used treated 1x6, filled in between the boards to make it level, and used 4 allthread rods. Its quite simple to make. Then I drilled holes in all three for the cable to go thru. Then I put the emt tubing on with emt straps...good luck on yours next year

[Guest]

Emil,

Thanks again. Believe it or not I had that down pretty well with my birds eye vision. I'm a half decent Japanese engineer.

[Guest]

Emil; It is no surprise that you have PMs. The time you put into designing and building your Gourd rack system are clear to me. All landlords have a good feeling about helping PMs but there's a special feeling when you look up and see PMs going in the house that you built. If you have more pictures please post them.
Have a Great Day- Jim

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

byepass, you give me a lot more credit than I deserve. Actually, most of what you see in the photos was picked up here from the forum and some friends at the Clubhouse. The good thing about the forum here is that people are so willing to share ideas, it helps everyone, but most of all, it helps the martins.

I raised martins for many years, sort of doing the same dumb things over and over until a neighbor told me about the PMCA. I have learned 10 times as much since then in 1/3 of the time. These computers revolutionized so many things, and the digital cameras are so great here.. I am thrilled to be part of it all...

Thanks, and have a great year. Also, if you have any questions about building this rack, I would be very happy to try & help you

[eyeamtheman]

Emil certainly does have a good rack idea, and similar to the one I use, and there obviously can be very many working variations.
And I see he gave us a little hint of what he looks like with that shadow, too!!