T-14 pole design youtube haunsf, does anyone know the specs?

[Andy H]

I am weighing my options for fabricating a pole for my T-14 and through my research on nest change procedures I found a video on youtube titled "Purple Martin Nest Change Procedure" posted by haunsf, link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfQy7yJm5Ys

I absolutely love his set up, and the design of a pole with the winch that pivots down (from above child height) and to the side (positioning you in a safe zone for lowering) is brilliant.

At about 19 seconds in it does appear the pole is a two piece design.

I have decided to go with square aluminum for various reasons. The questions I have with regard to fabricating the pole I want are as follows:

1).What does the Ground Stake look like for mounting a aluminum square tube?

2).What does a union for a two section pole made of aluminum look like that wouldn't risk structural integrity of the pole assembly?

3). Does anyone have any detailed pictures of a pivoting lowering winch arm similar to the one in the video?

4). Predator guard, is the one in the video just lowered in-order to lower the house? I would think it should be up on the pole higher???

5). Predator guard material, in the video it looks like a stove pipe, in some pictures of T-14s it looks like a white cylinder attached to the bottom of the house. Is there a flexible plastic like material that could be used for a predator guard and attached with snaps for easy removal and such?

6). Not pole related but if I was to stone landscape the area under my site, wouldn't I reduce my chances of saving any young martins that could have fell/jumped from the house? I have seen videos of jumpers being saved that landed in the grass below the house.

I know, lots of questions... LOL. Just a greenhorn looking for you experts to keep me out of trouble and maybe get things done right the first go around.

[Louise Chambers]

That's Tony Lau's site, not Hauns'. Tony is a mentor, so you can contact him directly through his mentor link: http://www.purplemartin.org/mentorprogr ... php?loc=MN

Tony has a beautiful, well-done site.

[Andy H]

I knew it wouldn't take very long before I would either get an answer, but it took even less time and I get a source!

Thanks!

Andy

[Tony Lau]

I answered Andy's email, but will provide details here too on the winch assembly. The pivot arm was made by Frank Hargis of IL, and given to me to test many years ago. I haven't heard from him in years, but he does have an email link on the members list here. I have no idea if he still makes them. I like the safety feature of it, but it does make it a lot harder to crank the house up because of the extra friction.