Anyone ever put tunnels on your S&K gourds?
Hello, I have a question for you S&K gourd users that have added a tunnel to your gourd. The directions indicate to 'remove the front of the entrance on the gourds by using the guides'. I see where they have a guide on the gourd, but how in the heck did you get it removed? I would love to know what tool/mechanism you used to get this removed so you could place your tunnels on (or if you decided not to remove it at all). Thanks for any help or feedback.
- Attachments
-
- S&K Directions
- directions.jpg (94.46 KiB) Viewed 4865 times
-
- Front of Gourd
- 2015-03-04 06.19.23.jpg (37.88 KiB) Viewed 4866 times
-
- Inside view of gourd
- 2015-03-04 06.19.34.jpg (45.4 KiB) Viewed 4878 times
-
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
All of my S&K gourds have tunnels. The part that must be removed is the old entrance hole, follow the indentation (flat on the bottom, round on the top going thru the 2 holes). Make it look like fig C in the third photo.
I use a small sharp knife, insert the knife on the indent, push DOWN in small 1/2in strokes. Its very safe by pushing down. You will be surprised how easy it cuts. Follow the indentation all the way around, then attach the new tunnel
Some people use a jig saw to do the cutting.
The Ultimate S&K tunnel is an excellent tunnel, it lasts a long time, and the design is excellent..Hope that you like them.
I use a small sharp knife, insert the knife on the indent, push DOWN in small 1/2in strokes. Its very safe by pushing down. You will be surprised how easy it cuts. Follow the indentation all the way around, then attach the new tunnel
Some people use a jig saw to do the cutting.
The Ultimate S&K tunnel is an excellent tunnel, it lasts a long time, and the design is excellent..Hope that you like them.
Last edited by Emil Pampell-Tx on Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Mhoover
- Posts: 213
- Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
- Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
- Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged
I used a utility knife to cut out the opening using the groove in the front of the gourd as a guide for what material needed to be removed.
I then drilled the four mounting holes and attached the tunnel after placing a small bead of caulk between the top of the tunnel and the gourd to prevent any water leakage into the gourd.
I then drilled the four mounting holes and attached the tunnel after placing a small bead of caulk between the top of the tunnel and the gourd to prevent any water leakage into the gourd.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged
PMCA Member
-
Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
I use an X-Acto Hobby Knife /Blade, there are different blades to choose from. I use the most pointed one & scribe over the grooved line several times . Be careful & if you install vent caps, I do the same with the neck top before I tap it out/ Down with a small hammer. Good luck , & Hope things go well for you!
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! 
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
dsonyay
- Posts: 1677
- Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
- Location: Louisiana/Broussard
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.
2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)
2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.
2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged
2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(
2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go.
2024: 13 pair. About 60 eggs
2025: 14 pairs .. 69 eggs.
A dremel tool with cutting wheel works really well too.
I'm with Emil in my thinking except that he is way ahead of me. But I hope to remedy my shortcoming this season (if and this never-ending winter is over)
PMCA member
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
Yes I have on big bo 's but what I do not like is crescent entrance down on floor of porch have had 3 wing entrapments and that was to many. Lost a male so changed all of them to bell type entrance I got them from Amish friend had no problems with them and starling proof. Most of my gourds are troyers love them . Big roomy and deeper nest bed I call it don't have eggs ever roll to front either. Tim m. Purple Martin Ridge
I'm a member of pmca,iowa purple martin org. which has ask me to be a mentor of jefferson county,ia. and citizen assistant for purple martins of Griggsville,Il.