Here's an Idea for PORCH DIVIDERS and FEEDING TRAYS

[Joe Zorn]

If you have a Harbor Freight Tool store near you, they currently have a 12" Revolving Bin Storage unit on sale for about ten bucks.

I bought one a couple of days ago. You have to assemble it yourself.

Among the parts are 4 - 12" round trays that could be made into a feeding station. There are several small bolt holes and a 3/4" center hole that will have to be dealt with. I intend to just cut a piece of thin plastic sheet that will fit snug inside the tray's bottom.

Also, there are 18 little dividers that measure 3" high and 5-1/2" long. On the bottom of each divider is a neat little 90 degree bend with holes already drilled for mounting to the trays. These would make great porch dividers.

The top tray, assembled with 6 dividers, and 24 nuts, bolts and washers, weigh 1lb-2oz. So they are not very heavy by themselves. probably about a half-pound each.

See the attached scan. This thing is a monkey to put together. Took me a couple of hours, and I was not very impressed with its' sturdiness for the intended purpose.

Currently, they are on sale, but the normal price is 29.99.

How you mount them to the pole is up to you.

Hope this helps someone.

Joe

[Joe Zorn]

I thought this item can be ordered online, but it turns out that it only allows you to print out an order form to be taken to the nearest store.

So the reference I made to the online address is only for viewing of the item

Joe

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/ite ... emid=94050

[Guest]

Joe,

Thanks for the posting. This is the kind of information that I think these forums are perfect for. I really enjoy seeing pictures and reading success stories about veteran and new landlords as well as read about new research studies and information from around the country. However, this sort of information from landlords who make things work in a practical application is always the most interesting to me.

I already use porch dividers but I think that is an excellent idea for a feeding tray.

Thanks again!

MartinDave

[Joe Zorn]

Thanks, Dave

As is true for so many others, I've found that being a PM enthusiast can get costly pretty quickly. We have to learn to make the most of our resources, by using everyday items around us to fill when the wallet balks and slams itself shut.

I respect every PM landlord for the work they do to make their colonies successful. This is true, whether commercially made equipment is erected, or they lean toward the homemade.

Personally, part of my love of the activity is in the building and the creating. Now that I've found this PCMA forum, I am learning how things are supposed to be done. Everyday, new ideas are presented that makes a hobby craftsman like myself downright giddy with possibilities.

Of course, sharing those ideas here is what makes it all possible.

I really like the idea that Bernie, up in Alberta is presenting here, about the styrofoam coated with fiberglas. I will probably never put up gourds, simply because I can't create them myself. but am wondering if a styrofoam single nest site construction could be made that would serve the purpose. Another of the forum mentioned using old patio umbrellas as a gourd rack. I have a wooden one that, after being torn up in Hurricane Katrina, and even worse in Rita, has been put back together enough to serve this purpose. It will never be an umbrella again, for sure!

I had mentioned in Bernie's post that I was thinking that the Radiant Barrier covered styrofoam sheets might just work out.

I don't think anyone really understood what I was trying to say, as I got no replies. But, since both sides of the styrofoam has a heavy aluminum foil-like cover, this material might be strong enough by it self to not need to have the entire structure covered with the fiberglass. Possibly, only at the joints, for strength. The Radiant Barrier would essentially double the heat protection for the PM's here in South Louisiana's temps and 100% humidity days.

This is an idea I am going to pursue soon, although I doubt it will be ready for this season, since I am moving in April or May, and could not get them up at the new location in time.

I did buy a 4 x 8 sheet of it today at HDepot, for about $8. It took me a LONG time to learn what PPCA was, as the sales people there had never heard of it. Then it struck me that the abbreviation was only used here on the forum, for writing purposes. I started reading every can and tube of adhesive they had and ran across the Liquid Nail version of Professional Project Construction Adhesive in a 1 gallon can. I assume this is what they were talking about.

I'll start playing with it soon.


Joe

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Joe, this is the ppca that people talk about:

[Joe Zorn]

Thanks, Emil

I wonder if this PL product you show does the same job as the Liquid Nail product I bought yesterday. I cannot read all of the words on the tube in your picture.

The first two words are don't appear to be "Profesional Project", as mine does, but the last two definitely are "Construction Adhesive"

There was yet another tube that was labeled for FOAM, but it also said INDOOR.

I'll give it a try. If it's not right, I'll see if Lowes has it.


Thanks for the pic.

Joe

[Guest]

Joe,

I understood the high density radiant foam you found. I had, to pay a little more than you, but I am using it, in part, to lighten the SS Trap now under construction. I'll soon be ready to have a picture shoot, of my set
up.

Meanwhile three more English House Sparrows have been added to the compost piles. Not many here but, for those that are here, it is getting a bit dangerous. The record shows the score nine, to one, in favor, of the little hollow point pellets.

[Joe Zorn]

Thanks, docgipe,
I'll watch for your pictures. I started a little project along those lines myself today.
Joe