rubber plucker fingers...Cheap place to buy them???

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Plus $10 flat rate shipping, which makes it not so cheap, $23.50 for 25 fingers. They might combine shipping, I looked for that on the listing, but didn't see anything about that. Maybe I just missed it. If you want 2 or 3 or 4 packages of 25, if it's still the same $10 flat rate, that would make it cheaper.

 

[Buster52]

Mojo Chick'n :

not sure where the cheapest place to buy them is, but did you know that usually you can use a rubber tie down? you know the rubber straps with the S hooks on the ends? cut them into 3 to 4 inch T's and stick them through the holes - much cheaper and works just as well. the T top part keeps it from flying out the hole. i

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
I watched that u-tube vid, he used rubber air hose of some kind. I'm thinking if you have a rubbery substance with good grip, (traction, like rubber gloves, rubber tubing, like the thick surgical tubing, or some such) over something somewhat stiff, but with some give, like short pieces of garden hose or whatever, it would work fine, as long as you are able to anchor them well.

Being on a fairly tight budget, $100 for just the fingers, is a little more than I can squeeze out, for now. I may try this with an alternative. If I do, I'll post it.

Not happening right away, anyhow, there's another thing happening right now that takes precedence.

We have a rotary plucker my DH made with a fan motor and the fingers on the PVC cap like the one above. The plans we used said to use those other kind of fingers, the little short ones about an inch long or less. It doesn't work all that well. I think I might be able to change the style of fingers (like maybe to the bungee strap ones) and get better results.

 

[pepper48_98]

I didn't check the shipping but on his others, 50+ it is free shipping. Mine is going together this week and may have extras. I also have 100 5" fingers that I bought off e-bay last year if anyone might want them. They would be good for a drum picker.

 

[sewchick]

I would think one could get quite creative with old car tires I would think. Once it's cut in strips it probably would not be too hard to whittle it down a little to fit the holes. I liked the video on youtube with the washing machine. Very creative!!

 

[Whizbanger]

I like those homemade plucker fingers. Very resourceful!

Another option I'll suggest is to buy the fingers from this link: Whizbang Plucker Parts (scroll down the page to the fingers info and pricing for different quantities).

Selling the fingers at Whizbang is actually my son's business. Robert started selling the fingers a couple years ago. You can see a picture of him and read about his business at this link:Robert's Plucker Fingers

The fingers that my son sells are the Kent C-25. These fingers were developed back in the 1940's by Kent Tomlinson. For those who do not know, Mr. Tomlinson and Andrew Toti invented the first automatic chicken plucking machine. Kent also has the distinction of inventing the first spam machine for Hormell.

So the Kent fingers have been plucking birds for around 70 years. They are the Cadillac of fingers. The flat tips (elliptical in cross section) strip feathers better than rounded tip fingers. These fingers are made for Kent in the USA by the same small family business that has made them since the 1940s (third generation now). Strombergs and Mc Murray also sell these Kent C-25 fingers.

Best wishes,

 

[()relics]

....and if the "Deliberate Agrarian" says so....YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT....

 

[sewchick]

Well I really think these new fandangled things are great if you can "afford them". For those of us that cannot making something from nothing can be a challenge and fun. I would buy on ebay if I were going to buy the fingers. I have seen a couple that are somewhat reasonable.... Being a creative person I will use what is on hand. I have lawn mowers that are old but still run...I have hit a few rocks, let us say they are hard to push now. The motors and shaft are all in great shape. I think for the metal plate I will use a trash can cover. Seems the right size for the plastic barrel I have left over from my years working in the lobster industry. For the fingers I will try the old tires. I will cut them in neat long square pieces the length of some I have seen around on ebay. Then I will notch a little groove with my handy pocket knife all the way around. Maybe 1/8 to 1/4 on an inch deep depending on what the plastic is on the barrel and the size of the holes. Hopefully this by spring I can talk my Husband into doing the motor part. He has an old trailer that is rotting away that maybe could be used for the stand to hold the barrel. Might have to purchase a couple of odds and ends but I think the lawn mower motor would work. I will have to do more research on the hp needed. If that wont fly I will get an old leaky wash machine from craigslist. Theres usually some on there. Someone should start a thread with creative chicken pluckers. I am sure there are a lot of great ideas out there just waiting to be told.

Here's the ebay link I would use:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=poultry+fingers

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

The best rubber tubing seems to be 3/8 in fuel line (new of course). 3 to 3 1/2 in long. The trick is anchoring it.

The cut rubber straps are fine for the sides of the plucker but are not rigid enough for the bottom.

I agree that you can can a lot of money tied up in plucker fingers.

IMO- use the real thing on the feather plate---but reduce the amount used- increase the spacing. In the center of the feather plate use a cone or upside down bowl, something to cover the center other than fingers. Remember centrifugal force will want to push the bird the outside anyway. Why put all those fingers in the center? On the sides use straps or what ever you have. A few fingers will go a long way. Look at a few of the commercial units they have widely spaced fingers on the sides.

 

[ironjim]

Try Sears. the more you buy, the better the deal. here is the link to a 50 pack for $28. http://www.sears.com/baimi-50-pack-...-SPM6431702005?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 I intend to build a plucker AND a watering system so I will buy the plucker/nipple combo pack:50 plucker fingers and 25 nipples for $38. Here is the link to that, http://www.sears.com/baimi-50-pack-...-SPM6431702005?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2