Hay Feeder

[Doug1953]

You read it right.  My wife and I are trying to make a round bail hay feeder.  We are using solid brass rings for the top and bottom and hollow tube brass for the stancions.  We cut the hollow tube to size and crimp the ends.  The problem comes in soldering the pieces together.  Any good ideas are welcome.

[kstrong]

If the tube is a larger diameter than the brass rings, you may try either drilling the tube crosswise and threading the rings through, or using a cut-off wheel in a Dremel tool to cut a slot in the tube into which the ring can sit. This will at least hold things in place for you while you solder. The alternative is to use clamps or wire bread ties to hold the *other* stanchions in place while you solder the particular one you're working on.

As for soldering, I'd use a soldering gun (100 - 200 watts), as that will definitely give you enough heat for soldering the wire and tube. The wire ties will hold the unsoldered joints, and I'd bet that the finished joints would be sufficiently distanced from the one you're working on to where heat transfer wouldn't be an issue. If it is, get a wet cotton ball and tie it to the neighboring joints to keep them cool.

And post photos.

Later,

K

[altterrain]

You could give Loctite Concrete/Metal Epoxy a try. I have used it for gluing together small metal bits with good results. It sets up in 5 minutes and you can make up a tiny bit at a time.

 

-Brian 

[dwbeckett]

Having been a CITY boy all my life What is a hay feeder? Picture's?

[altterrain]

Having been a CITY boy all my life What is a hay feeder? Picture's?

Round bale -

 

Rectangular bale or loose - 

 

-Brian 

[dwbeckett]

thanks now I can add that to my collection of things I know about

Dave

[Capt Bob Johnson]

I'll resist asking if your farm is going to have a round baler in scale also; and how you gonna make the round bales.   Might have to model a defunct farm til you figure all those things out!

Put up a model auction sign?

[Anonymous]

They do make a round baler in scale so your A-ok with that one. I see them at Tractor Supply or other places. Time to buy is Christmas time.

Toad (waiting for Dad to come Home! )