OK, Mary Dawnsong, Joyce, Steve K & others have convinced me that I will have to put up some aluminum housing, since the Purple Martins around me don't have high-speed Internet access and don't know they are supposed to prefer natural gourds. I will stop at my local bird store and pick up a Trio Pioneer ("Musselman") House this week; she has been trying to get me to buy one for two years, anyway.
If I'm going aluminum, I at least want to make all the modifications I can, so I will be enlarging it to 6 6"x12" compartments. I am not very mechanical, and the Trio modification article says the 12 unit Musselman is the easiest to modify. Also, I understand it is better to make these modifications before I assemble the house. I have ordered door stops, porch dividers, and replacement crescent doors from PMCA.
Now, here are my questions: I have a telescoping pole that is in very good shape. It is in 3 sections, 1.5" OD at the bottom and 1.25" OD at the top.
1) Will this work with the Trio Musselman house and the MPS ground socket?
Also, one of the quick-clamps is missing, and the first (bottom) and second (middle) sections are stuck together. I have put lubricating joint oil in the space, but still can't get them apart. I haven't whammed on it yet, which is my answer to most problems: Hit it with a hammer. I have a rubber mallet I thought about smacking it with, to work the poles free.
2) Is hitting the pole a bad idea? Any other thoughts on how to separate the sections? How to keep them from freezing up again?
3) And, where can I get replacement quick-clamps?
thanks in advance,
Need Help: Telescoping Pole Q's
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Sigundo
Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with that particular pole, but a gentle tapping might be ok, as long as you don't (1) drive the two sections even more together or (2) put a dent in the side (if it were the very TOP section, a little dent might not hurt, but if its a section that another one has to fit inside, then that would end that.
Hopefully someone that has that particular pole will chime in soon enough. I wish you luck with it.
Hopefully someone that has that particular pole will chime in soon enough. I wish you luck with it.
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Guest
Greetings Dr. Kathi!
My first martin house was a 6 compartment wooden house that I converted to a 3 room. I went to the hardware store and got a threaded female round pipe receiver (don't know the proper name) and attached it to the base of the house with screws. But the telescoping pole was a challenge. Since these flimsy poles are aluminum, it is very difficult to thread the end so I could screw the pole section into the receiver.
We live near the coast where shipyards abound. Shipyards are notorious for jury-rigging just about anything and they were able to thread the end of the telescoping pole which easily screwed into the base of the house.
If at all possible, I would use something other than the telescoping pole. As a rule they are too flimsy and have been known to bend in a wind. The quick clamp notch to one of the pole sections is stretched out so I have to insert a nail in the notch with the clamp to hold it in place.
Since my house was wood it was easy to attach the female pipe receiver. However, I don't have a clue how to attach it to an aluminum house...I would contact the manufacture and ask them what kind of pole to use.
Next year I plan to eliminate all except one of my telescoping poles. One will house a HOSPice for trapping house sparrows.
Good Luck!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
My first martin house was a 6 compartment wooden house that I converted to a 3 room. I went to the hardware store and got a threaded female round pipe receiver (don't know the proper name) and attached it to the base of the house with screws. But the telescoping pole was a challenge. Since these flimsy poles are aluminum, it is very difficult to thread the end so I could screw the pole section into the receiver.
We live near the coast where shipyards abound. Shipyards are notorious for jury-rigging just about anything and they were able to thread the end of the telescoping pole which easily screwed into the base of the house.
If at all possible, I would use something other than the telescoping pole. As a rule they are too flimsy and have been known to bend in a wind. The quick clamp notch to one of the pole sections is stretched out so I have to insert a nail in the notch with the clamp to hold it in place.
Since my house was wood it was easy to attach the female pipe receiver. However, I don't have a clue how to attach it to an aluminum house...I would contact the manufacture and ask them what kind of pole to use.
Next year I plan to eliminate all except one of my telescoping poles. One will house a HOSPice for trapping house sparrows.
Good Luck!
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
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Kyle Gregoire
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:31 pm
- Location: Vermont/Alburg
Dear dr kathi, You might try to heat the larger section, just a little bit with a small propane torch, to cause it to expand, and with a monkey wrench or vice grips, twist the smaller section. You may need a wrench for each section. You can use an extension on the monkey wrench or vice grips to give you more leverage if needed) If you use heat dont forget to wear gloves. As and alternative, if you clamp vice grips on, you can bang on them and not hurt your pole, but the grips might take a hurting. If you do free this rig up, sand off the rust and any rough spots ( a monkey wrench or vice grips causes rough spots) and keep it oiled or greased and maybe work it up and down once in awhile and you shouldnt have any sticking problems after that. Hope this could help you. Try these techniques only as a last ditch effort. Use the following ideas by Mr. Rutledge first.
Last edited by Kyle Gregoire on Tue May 09, 2006 7:47 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Guest
Dr. Kathi
It sounds like you have a Nature House pole, if so the Trio "pioneer" will fit it since they are by the same company. These poles have a grove rolled into them to prevent each inner pole from coming out the top accidently. It should disassemble by allowing each inner pole to drop out of the bottom. If they are stuck in the up position place a block of wood on the end of the smaller pole and wack it with a hammer. Go to naturehouseinc.com to verify if this is your pole. They also have instructions for modifying the house.
I have a modified trio "Pioneer" and they are a favorite of my Martins.
Good luck,
Rahn
It sounds like you have a Nature House pole, if so the Trio "pioneer" will fit it since they are by the same company. These poles have a grove rolled into them to prevent each inner pole from coming out the top accidently. It should disassemble by allowing each inner pole to drop out of the bottom. If they are stuck in the up position place a block of wood on the end of the smaller pole and wack it with a hammer. Go to naturehouseinc.com to verify if this is your pole. They also have instructions for modifying the house.
I have a modified trio "Pioneer" and they are a favorite of my Martins.
Good luck,
Rahn