We bought the Whizbang Plucker book from Herrick Kimball, I didn't care that it took a little while to get here, because we won't be able to start buying parts right away anyhow.
He listed a link to a site that sells the sheets of HDPE for cutting boards, I called them and found I can have them cut a round piece the exact size I want for $76. We'd still have to drill it, but it would save a few bucks. I'm thinking the 16" pulley wheel, flanged shaft, and the idler wheel from Kimball, and scrounge/hunt for the rest. I know where I can get barrels, and most of the idler hardware we already have, or can get cheap enough. I looked at the motors at Harbor freight, a 3/4 HP capacitor start motor is $99.95. Call it $100.
In the back of the book, Kimball has updates and tips. One is to leave the bottom of the barrel intact, except for a feather discharge slot on one side, and of course the hole for the shaft. You could have the water and feathers pouring out the side opposite the motor, (which I would shield from moisture anyway) and maybe put a basket/strainer thingy to catch feathers. Then you could periodically dump the feathers in a basket or bucket or something, to haul over to the compost pile (if you have one, I do) or other disposal option. Nicer than having wet icky feathers all over the place. If you put a drain/gutter or some such to channel water away from your work area, that would be nice, too. I'm thinking if I slaughter chickens during dry times, somehow channeling that waste water (full of good plant nutrients) to my garden would be good.
