Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1827 posts
Jun 10, 2010
4:42 PM
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Hey all, I often find myself in the dark with more time to think then is good for me. Every once in awhile something pops in that just might have merit. I like everyone have limited the size of my kit box to what I can reach. My box now is 48”H x 48” Wx32”D. I can reach all parts if I stretch or have a cinder block to stand on. Why not make the kit box similar to my inside loft?
My plan for a new kit box. 4’W x 8’L x 71/2’H with two compartments that are divided with a wall that contains a door between the two. A two-foot door will provide access from the outside. Now here is the interesting part. The first four feet will be sheeted with plywood and the last six inches will be sheeted with plywood and in between will be ½-hardware cloth all the way around the box. I will make hinged fold up panels that cover the hardware cloth at night or in bad weather, lockable panels.
In essence, I will have a big airy kit box that can be closed for protection from the elements or thieves with no stretching that will be easy to clean and comfortable for me to enjoy my birds. I will post pictures as construction progress is made.
Thom
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1828 posts
Jun 10, 2010
5:51 PM
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Joe, how about pictures of the real thing? :)
Thom
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Velo99
2299 posts
Jun 11, 2010
5:19 AM
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Thom
My kitboxes are 4x5x2. Although they are inside my loft it is very easy to reach any bird because of the shallow depth. All 25 perches are on the back wall.This is the second year with the new loft and its still the best thing I ever did with my birds.
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V99
blue sky single beat
in cadance performing now
earth beckons the winged
drawn breath is let quickly forth
orchestral movement follows
___ ~_____ _
\__\_/-|_| \__\____
/()_)__18___()_)\__\
Last Edited by on Jun 11, 2010 5:21 AM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1829 posts
Jun 11, 2010
9:42 AM
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Nice box Kenny,! My loft is full up and I need more room. :) or that's my excuse anyway! :)
Thom
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1835 posts
Jun 15, 2010
4:34 PM
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Hey all, Day one, materials arrived around 9:30 A.M. It was hat and muggy, 100 degrees with high humidity. This is a picture of my first days work.
Thom
Last Edited by on Jun 15, 2010 4:35 PM
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rookie from ct
GOLD MEMBER
293 posts
Jun 15, 2010
4:56 PM
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Thom if you were in the Union they would of brought you aside and caught hell "too much work for one day"do you want us to look bad(lol) looks great you better dodge the carpenter's union, your too quick .When it's done send it east I will pay the shipment. Dennis
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1837 posts
Jun 15, 2010
5:21 PM
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Hey Dennis, How about a set of plans?
International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 512
1970 to 1997, plus 4 years of military time credited
Take care my friend
Thom
Last Edited by on Jun 15, 2010 5:40 PM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1838 posts
Jun 16, 2010
12:13 PM
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Day two, Walls up, doors framed, one sheet of siding to stabilize the building. Tomorrow the roof structure.
Thom
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rollerpigeon1963
311 posts
Jun 16, 2010
1:17 PM
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Hey Thom,
I have a walk in kit box. It will hold 75 birds and there is only perches on one side of the kitbox. I used it to gang fly out of when I was working and didn't have much time to fly birds. So I built another 3 compartment stand alone kit box. Each stall holds 32 birds. I used 1/2 x 1 wire on the floor and I wish I would have used 1 x 2 wire on the floor. 10 times easier to clean. One thing I did find out when I used the large kit box I had birds wanting to breed more and the took longer to jell. I mean it took them
a while to kit tighter and work as a team. It seemed like the bigger the box the more they goof off and do the stupid things I don't like. And I am a firm believe that the floor of a kit box should be wire. This will keep the weaker ones picking at the droppings because they are hungry. That is the reason I have 2 stand alone kit boxes {7 compartments approx 210 birds} and that walk in kit box that holds 75. And I am using the stand alones when I have the time to fly.
How are things on the other side of the hill? raising many? I plan on headed to NC within the next couple of weeks. I think its just going to be to hot to see some good action but at least it will get me out and watching birds.
Brian Middaugh
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http://rollerpigeon1963.tripod.com/
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1839 posts
Jun 16, 2010
2:45 PM
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Hey Brian, I fly mine by sex, it just seems easier. I like the sand floor as you know. It's easy to clean and the birds love it. I'm retired, so the very first thing I do in the morning is clean. After coffee of course! :)
I have enough to see where my program is headed. If you get the chance, come and see them this fall. Feel free to drop by anytime, just call first! :)
353-4379
Take care my friend
Thom
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Pogohawk
151 posts
Jun 17, 2010
8:52 AM
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Hey Thom that looks great. I've always enjoyed building lofts and kit boxes nearly as much as flying the birds themselves. Its great to see other people's setup. Most pigeon guys seem to be pretty crafty and everybody has a style of their own.
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 8:53 AM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1840 posts
Jun 17, 2010
8:58 AM
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Hey Pogohawk, It is 4x8 less the walls of course. The picture is not real clear but there are two sections divided by what will be a solid wall with an interior door. The two long sides and possibly the end without a door will be open above the 4' siding for air flow in the summer. I will secure the windows with sliding panels in the winter and at night. I have the roof structure on now and I will post a picture later.
Take care
Thom
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1841 posts
Jun 17, 2010
11:20 AM
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Roof is ready for the Ondura.
Thom
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michael salus
241 posts
Jun 17, 2010
12:38 PM
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Thom, looking good!! What type of roof is ondura? I put metal roofing on my kit boxes and the 1st few times the birds land on it they go sliding...lol. They get used to it pretty quick and it works fine. Keep the pictures coming....
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MJ "Peace"
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1842 posts
Jun 17, 2010
3:53 PM
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Hey MJ, I'm not sure what it's made of but if you look at the box next to the new construction, that is Ondura. It's a tar and fiber base? I have used the old box for three years or so and it holds up great. It is not so slippery and I like the color. H
here is one of the panels for the new box.
Take care my friend
Thom
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 4:07 PM
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toughrollers
320 posts
Jun 17, 2010
4:37 PM
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Thom, you have talent my friend.
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1844 posts
Jun 17, 2010
5:18 PM
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Ralph, The my friend part is true, the talent? :)
I just whittle away until it looks like a duck!
(Borrowed from my brother, SD who is talented!)
Take care my friend
Thom
Last Edited by on Jun 17, 2010 6:04 PM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1845 posts
Jun 18, 2010
8:58 AM
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Ondura is on, I had a helper, supervisor. :)
Thom
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Pogohawk
152 posts
Jun 18, 2010
9:35 AM
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Looking awesome!!!!
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johnjay
70 posts
Jun 18, 2010
1:13 PM
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looks great
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I am never oppressed by the
narrow confines of my existence.
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rookie from ct
GOLD MEMBER
298 posts
Jun 18, 2010
3:29 PM
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Thom a picture is worth a thousand words, and this one tells me that the photographer (???your bride??)don't want to scare that bird that wouldn't trap or wont get any closer to your back yard hobby(LOL) as you are hiding the net because if that bird sees it it will spend a another night in the tree. just kitting around because I know how fast you cull, and that double kit box is looking great I will have drive out to pick it up so you wont have to send it here. Your the Best Dennis
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1847 posts
Jun 18, 2010
4:38 PM
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Hey Dennis, I was nailing the Ondura on and watching the young hen kit at the same time. The bird in the picture dropped a little early but she is heavy into the moult so I'll cut her a little slack. :) It was my bride behind the camera, trying to take a picture of me working! Which is hard to do! :)
Take care my friend
Thom
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Scott
3087 posts
Jun 18, 2010
5:41 PM
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It's leaning to the left and the roof is crooked Thom
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Scott Campbell
" God Bless "
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1848 posts
Jun 18, 2010
6:36 PM
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Hey Scott, You are not the first one to notice I'm about a half bubble off plum! :)The crook in the roof is to compensate for the lean, or the angle of the dangle is directly proportional! :)
Take care my friend
Thom
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Scott
3088 posts
Jun 18, 2010
8:41 PM
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Kinda figured that it was engineered that way.
(The crook in the roof is to compensate for the lean, or the angle of the dangle is directly proportional! )
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Scott Campbell
" God Bless "
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1849 posts
Jun 19, 2010
10:21 AM
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Hey All, This is about as far as I am going today. It's hot and muggy! The birds don't even want to fly. I work next week so it might be the weekend before I get anymore done.
Take care
Thom
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polarbear
111 posts
Jun 19, 2010
12:29 PM
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Thom, it is looking good.
I am thinking about building a kit box similar to BMC.
You can have access to the row of kit boxes from the back in a hall way. That way you are out of the weather and can view birds anytime without getting wet, which is a plus in Oregon.
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donnie james
1041 posts
Jun 19, 2010
1:33 PM
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hay thom,
very nice fly box i was thinking to build another fly box but my health is getting in the way i done some blood work for my family doctor 1 is a pro time and the other is a bunch of test like for my kidney faction and other test and her office called and said i have to on 64 oz of water/pop in 24 hours for the rest of my life and she went on to say that salt and electorlight was way down and i better start drinking 64 oz a 24 hours or i'll be trouble pretty fast so in the last couple days i been watching how how much i been drinking and 64 oz isn't to much.........and i guess life goes on ............
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Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1850 posts
Jun 19, 2010
1:48 PM
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Hey Donny, You mind her real well! We would like to have you around a while longer!64oz. is not so bad. You could do that standing on your head. Maybe when you feel a little better, you and your brother could build another box.
Take care my friend!
Thom
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donnie james
1042 posts
Jun 19, 2010
4:14 PM
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hay thom,
i'm talking to the folks to let me a fly box as well a stock building and they're saying that i might go on diealice (spelling) since i less then 30% useage of my kidney fuction as well crinic brontic (spelling)and a few other disease i got just every disease you can think of........................p.s. i brought a couple packs of chewing gun and i'm been chewing on the chewing gum when i want some water/pop
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Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
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Rocky Lofts
143 posts
Jun 19, 2010
4:37 PM
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Thom, that is one nice kit box you have build, and i thought you were an old fart. :)
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Cheers, Rocky
"Rocky Lofts"
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1851 posts
Jun 19, 2010
6:56 PM
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Hey Donny, I sure hope you get to feeling better! We will be thinking of you and keep you in our prayers.
Take care my friend
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1852 posts
Jun 19, 2010
6:58 PM
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Hey Rocky, I'm older then dirt! :) Thanks, the box is a work in progress. :)
Cheeres, Mate
Thom
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steve49
519 posts
Jun 19, 2010
7:27 PM
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Hey Thom, box is looking great! can't wait to see the finished pics.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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donnie james
1043 posts
Jun 19, 2010
8:17 PM
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hay thom,
thanks for keeping me in your prayers
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Donny James
"Fly The Best And Cull The Rest"
"Saying One Thing;Doing Its Another"
"Keep Your Head Planted In The Sky And Wings Spanned Wide"
1996 Piedmont Roller Club Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Portsmouth Roller Club Participation Award System Recipient 1994 '96 '97 And 2000
2001 Limestone,Ohio Sportsman's Club Lifetime Member Recipient
2002Portsmouth Roller Club Certified Judge
2004Portsmouth Roller Club Lifetime Member Recipient
"Miss Portsmouth"NBRC/90/J311 Rusty Dun Check Self Hen First Bird To Get Certified In Portsmouth Roller Club History With A Score Of 53 Judge By Joe Roe The 1993 World Cup Winner And John Bender The 1994 World Cup Winner
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Pogohawk
153 posts
Jun 20, 2010
9:17 AM
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I've also noticed that red roofed lofts seem to work well. I previously flew birds from a shingled building and they did not seem to have the attachment to the kit box that my birds do now. They are silly when they slip all over the roofing for the first few days.
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1853 posts
Jun 20, 2010
9:38 AM
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Thanks Steve, when it's finished I will post some pictures of the inside and all of the working parts.
Hey Joe, I like the red also. I was worried about adding a new box the same color as the old but so far they have it figured out.
Pogohawk, The pitch on my box's are not very steep so the birds don't slip on it but at the same time it drains well.
Take care
Thom
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rookie from ct
GOLD MEMBER
301 posts
Jun 20, 2010
10:32 AM
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Thom i have re-read your first post here and you are just to crafty this will be the design of the future kit boxes I think that you gave this a lot of thought and it will pay off.Cant wait to see her finished. GREAT JOB Dennis
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1855 posts
Jun 20, 2010
1:10 PM
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Thanks Dennis, The main concept is what I hope is best for the birds and easy on my old back! :)
Take care my friend
Thom
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Raul Carreiro
28 posts
Jun 21, 2010
11:14 AM
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WANTED! Professorial finish carpenters capable of working under extreme heat with minimal supervision.Must posses their own tools and transportation! Only retired Oldfarts with fire fighting experience need apply!!!! LOL
Looks great Thom!
Raul,
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1859 posts
Jun 21, 2010
12:10 PM
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Hey Raul, It's not that I'm that good, I'm just to dumb to stop! :)
Take care my friend
Thom
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Raul Carreiro
30 posts
Jun 21, 2010
12:37 PM
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Hey Thom, Like the story of the tortoise and the hare. The Tortoise just kept a steady pace and won!! He never stopped!So who was dumb the tortoise or the hare?
Good job my friend,
Raul
Last Edited by on Jun 21, 2010 12:38 PM
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1861 posts
Jun 21, 2010
3:13 PM
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Hey No hair jokes! You have seen my head! He He He
Take care
Thom
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rtwilliams
GOLD MEMBER
664 posts
Jun 28, 2010
3:33 PM
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how is it coming?
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RT Williams
Brink of Rolling Loft
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1872 posts
Jun 28, 2010
3:37 PM
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Hey RT, Slow! :) It's been raining and I worked last week. Yea Yea, I know, I'm retired! I work harder now then I ever did when I worked! :) I have made some progress and I will post a few pictures tomorrow.
Thanks for asking
Take care my friend
Thom
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Oldfart
GOLD MEMBER
1874 posts
Jun 29, 2010
10:58 AM
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Hey All, Here is the "A" inside, the "B" will be exactly the same.
Picture #1 Drop trap in, release door open. Notice the plastic poultry cloth for screening. If it does not work out I can remove and replace it all in a couple of hours.
Picture #2 Outside detail of the drop trap and wire plastic coated landing board. If I like the landing board I will replace the one in the picture with a longer version.
Picture #3 The side showing the poultry cloth and placement of release door and drop trap.
Thanks everyone, take care
Thom
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2010 11:02 AM
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Snake Doctor
GOLD MEMBER
460 posts
Jun 29, 2010
11:31 AM
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Lookin good Brother man!
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"Semper Fi"
SD
Roy
Georgia
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Pogohawk
166 posts
Jun 29, 2010
1:20 PM
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Looks amazing. I was just curious why you used plastic chicken screen rather than metal?
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JDA
GOLD MEMBER
883 posts
Jun 29, 2010
1:37 PM
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Thom...What a fine job you are doing.That is a nice layout.JDA
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rookie from ct
GOLD MEMBER
309 posts
Jun 29, 2010
2:01 PM
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Thom you have been working too hard,time for a vacation here in Connecticut and bring the plans with you I have the tools, we will build one here. Looks Great. Dennis
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