What drill or tool for rotary plucker?

[wsmoak]

I bought a plucker (large PVC pipe with rubber fingers) that's intended to be used with a drill. This one: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.230747713631450.61439.214240251948863&type=3

DH insists that his Makita drills are NOT available for this use.

He suggested getting a drill _press_ and (somehow) turning it sideways. I've heard of using a grinder motor [which he says will go too fast] but not that.

What do you all use with this type of plucker?

-Wendy

 

[MNShepherdess]

I manually pluck, but I would say just buy a cheap drill at Wally World and you should be set Plug in unless you don't have a plug near where you pluck (that way you don't run out of battery).

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

It is hard service on a drill. They really are not designed for 100 duty cycle and sidways loading of the chuck.

The bargin brand drills are not likely going to stand up to much of this kind of work but on the other hand it is a shame to mess up a good drill.

It really does not take a lot to set up a motor and couple pulleys to end up with a better end product. I made one with a 1/4 hp 1750 rpm motor but it lacked power so went to a 1/2 hp with 1.5 inch drive pulley and 4 inch on the rotating drum. Works well but will likely go to a 2 inch drive to up the speed a little.

 

[galanie]

Whichever you use, just be sure it's one that plugs into the wall. None of the cordless can handle that kind of use.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

True, and wet and electric don't go well togeter unless you plug it into a GFI circuit.

 

[wsmoak]

It really does not take a lot to set up a motor and couple pulleys to end up with a better end product. I made one with a 1/4 hp 1750 rpm motor but it lacked power so went to a 1/2 hp with 1.5 inch drive pulley and 4 inch on the rotating drum. Works well but will likely go to a 2 inch drive to up the speed a little.

Can you post some pictures and possibly a parts list? I've seen this done, but not in enough detail to figure it out. (And... you still have the electricity + water problem, how do you shield the motor?)

I will probably murder a poor defenseless drill for this go-round, but I bet after that we'll put together something better.

Thanks!
-Wendy

 

[RWD]

Wendy- I went to Harbor Freight and bought a 1/2" drill on sale for $36.50 and it has worked fine. Plenty of power, and the tool is double insulated, check around and catch one on sale.
Not really hard to block and clamp down to a sturdy table.

 

[wsmoak]

For the record... we ended up with a Black & Decker 7 amp driill/driver: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-DR560-2-Inch-Driver/dp/B004I1QILC

That extra handle is nice -- we bought a longer bolt and used that collar as an additional stabilization point.

It also has a pin you can press to lock the trigger on full speed (800 rpm) so you don't have to try to hold it down with a zip tie.

It survived the first round of about 20 birds at least.

-Wendy

 

[Justin-Dallas]

Hey guys, would love to see ur pics.

I've been working out a way to make up a horizontal plucker, using thread bar, PVc pipe, some nuts and washers, and a drill or grinder attachment.
I've welded up a quick frame from tubing. And will attach my plucker to the frame with pillow bearings.

Just don't know if a grinder will be too fast?

 

[blucoondawg]

Grinder speeds aren't necessary I made something similar but not as wide and used rubber bungees for fingers it works ok would probably be perfect with actual plucker fingers. I turn it with an old electric black and Decker drill, a bigger one with a 1/2" chuck. It's not a super high speed drill but it's not a real slow torquey drill like a Milwaukee hole hawg either