making a feather plucker..

[jvls1942]

Hi, I am new to this thread..

I just want to let you know that I am making a drum type feather plucker..

I have built two Whiz Bang types ,, and I have rebuilt a drum type just recently..

I am taking pictures as I go,, I will post them here if there is any interest by anyone..

I built a jig for cutting circles on a table saw.. (picture)
finished oak circle hub (picture)
hub in 8 inch pvc (picture)

I just started this project yesterday, so that is as far as I am..

I am using an old table saw for the body of the plucker.. (picture)

........jiminwisc..........

 

[jvls1942]

this is the circle jig I made for cutting the hubs for the 8" pvc pipe I will use for the drum.



this is one of the two hubs I made ,,still on the jig.. it is 8 inches diameter.. red oak..


this is how the hub will fit into the 8 inch pvc pipe (drum)..
I will show how the rubber plucking fingers will be mounted onto the drum as time goes by..


this is the table saw I will be using .. I will remove the top .. I will save the on/off switch and wires ..

for larger images, you may click on each picture..

 

[trunkman]

I'd love to see pics, you must be having a bit of a time getting your pictures to post, I can't see them.
I'm thinking of making one with a washing machine tub at some point but for now I'm using a drill type plucker, works a lot better then hand plucking!

 

[trunkman]

Opps, spoke to quick, your picks just popped up. Looking forward to the final product!

 

[jvls1942]

Opps, spoke to quick, your picks just popped up. Looking forward to the final product!

ya had me scared for a second,, I could see them,,

I will send a picture of the one I rebuilt..

originally it did not have bearings,, all it had was a rod stuck through a piece of pipe.. not even a bushing.. the sell these for around $400.oo new.. without a motor..


I added a 1 HP motor, bearing blocks, cast iron pulley, and a paint job.. I had it fitted for #40 sprocket and chain drive, but that did not work out..

the rubber plucker fingers are spread out a little too far so it does not run too smoothly over the chicken.. kind of thump bumps them too hard..

the factory built drum on this one is a little out of round, so there is quite a bit of vibration.. but it does work quite well despite of it..
after I find out how this one I am building works, I might redo this factory one and put a pvc drum on it..

On the second whiz bang I built, I did #50 sprocket and chain. It works just great,, but it is loud. I found out that #50 chain is overkill..

.


as always, click on the picture for a better viewing..

..........jiminwisc................

 

[offgridhermit]

Hi, I am new to this thread..

I just want to let you know that I am making a drum type feather plucker..

I have built two Whiz Bang types ,, and I have rebuilt a drum type just recently..

I am taking pictures as I go,, I will post them here if there is any interest by anyone..

I built a jig for cutting circles on a table saw.. (picture)
finished oak circle hub (picture)
hub in 8 inch pvc (picture)

I just started this project yesterday, so that is as far as I am..

I am using an old table saw for the body of the plucker.. (picture)

........jiminwisc..........

Yes, interested. Please include the cost too, and tools needed. I can't afford to buy a chicken plucker. I will be doing all my processing solo and for the first time next year. I need all the info and shortcuts possible. Thanks.

 

[jvls1942]

O G Hermiit,, what kind of power source do you have ? I know of a guy who powers his Whizbang off of a tractor PTO..

the most expensive parts are the rubber plucker fingers.. however, the price of them has come down from when I bought my first ones a couple of years ago.. back then they were $1.25 each.. you can get them for .50 each now.. the whizbang took about 120 fingers..

even at that old price, I built the two whizbangs for an average cost of $250.oo each..
I sold the first one for $550.oo.. I am keeping the second one until I build a 3rd one..

I am probably the worlds most frugal, (cheapskate) guy.. I scrounge parts from scrap yards and rummage sales mostly.. I am also a big fan of Craig's List .. also local weekly shopper papers ..

I have a pretty well stocked work shop.. I am a retired home building contractor, A drill press is one handy machine to have,, and of course, a table saw .. and then the regular arsenal of hand tools, ..

I just enlarged a 1/2 inch hole in a pulley to 5/8 inch.. you can use bushings to make the holes smaller if you have to go from say 7/8" down to 5/8" .. lots of bushing combinations.

I will post a picture of one of the whizbang pluckers as soon as I find where I have it stored..

......jiminwisc.......

 

[Huntress78]

Marking for updates.
Thanks for posting pics of your project!

 

[bstromgren]

I like the idea of using short black bungie straps cut in half as fingers. They are super cheap at harbor freight or the farm store. Plus you can make extras if you need to swap one out. I think your idea is great. We have an old blue 55 gallon plastic rain barrel that is on our bucket list to turn into a plucker. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[jvls1942]

Hi Huntress.. You are close enough to stop by and take a look see, anytime you like..

I have heard of the bungee cords,,, and also those rubber dialaters from milking machines..

I have a plucker that was old when I bought it, and I have had it for about 45 years.. I have never had to replace a single finger on it.. and it is used several times every year.. I loan it out to all the neighborhood ..

how do you hold the bungee cords in place ?

I used a black 55 gal barrel for each of my whiz bangs.. the blue ones are very similar ..