In a previous article, I discussed how to make an improvised wing nut with a hex nut and epoxy. The idea there was that the bigger space n the hex nut hole would allow space for epoxy to bind the smaller nut to the bigger hex nut.
In this article, I'll discuss a way to create the improvised wing nut with just a hex nut and no epoxy. The trick is to find a hex nut with just the right-sized hole.
Showing posts with label garden tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garden tools. Show all posts
Improvised Wing Nut Using Big Hex Nut and Epoxy
In a previous article, I mentioned the use of a short aluminum tube and epoxy to improvise a wing nut. The idea is to simply make the holding surface area bigger. To do this, we created a bigger nut with the same hole size.
However, some may find the added step for cutting the aluminum tube a bit too tedious. One way around this time-consuming step is to use a bigger-sized hex nut rather than the aluminum tube. The hex nut's hole should be big enough to provide some space for the epoxy when the small nut is placed inside.
However, some may find the added step for cutting the aluminum tube a bit too tedious. One way around this time-consuming step is to use a bigger-sized hex nut rather than the aluminum tube. The hex nut's hole should be big enough to provide some space for the epoxy when the small nut is placed inside.
Avoiding Ant Bites When Fruit Picking - Part 2
(This is the continuation of Part 1)
When weaver ants are able to crawl on the fruit picker pole you're using, you can be sure they'll be crawling downwards toward you and bite you. There will be a constant stream of ants that will be on your fingers, hands and arms.
So how do you minimize, if not prevent weaver ants from using the mango fruit picker pole as a bridge to reach you?
When weaver ants are able to crawl on the fruit picker pole you're using, you can be sure they'll be crawling downwards toward you and bite you. There will be a constant stream of ants that will be on your fingers, hands and arms.
So how do you minimize, if not prevent weaver ants from using the mango fruit picker pole as a bridge to reach you?
Avoiding Ant Bites When Fruit Picking
Weaver ants are the boon and bane of mango trees. Boon, because they help eradicate some of the pests that eat and destroy the leaves and fruits, thus significantly cutting down the pest management expenses of farmers.
They're a bane, well, because they attack on the farmers when it's time to harvest the mango fruits. And they attack relentlessly. Like an army on a suicide mission, they bite wherever and whenever they fall or crawl on you.
They're a bane, well, because they attack on the farmers when it's time to harvest the mango fruits. And they attack relentlessly. Like an army on a suicide mission, they bite wherever and whenever they fall or crawl on you.
DIY Apple Fruit Picker Pole Rubber Footing
In a recent article, the need for the apple fruit picker pole bottom cap was discussed. The bottom cap was improvised from a bottle cap and worked well in covering the main pole of the fruit picker.
DIY Apple Fruit Picker Pole Bottom Cap
In this series of the Apple Fruit Picker articles, much has been discussed on the the Apple Fruit Picker tool - and for good reason. When harvesting fruits, the apple fruit picking tool functions mainly to grasp, catch and recover the fruit into the fruit basket. The apple fruit picking tool is mounted on the top end of the fruit picker pole.
Thus far, nothing has been discussed on the bottom end of the pole.
Thus far, nothing has been discussed on the bottom end of the pole.
How to Improvise a Wing Nut Using Epoxy and Aluminum Tube
A wingnut or wing nut is a type of nut with two large metal "wings", one on each side, so it can be easily tightened and loosened by hand without tools. In my area, wing nuts are not a common hardware material. They're not common in the sense that they're not used in the mainstream "permanent" projects. Wing nuts, by virtue of their handy usage and easy removal, are typically used in temporary setups.
Wing nuts, in the context of this article refer to having the body of a small-sized nut made bigger so that it can be affixed or removed easily and without special tools.
Wing nuts, in the context of this article refer to having the body of a small-sized nut made bigger so that it can be affixed or removed easily and without special tools.
DIY Fruit Harvester Picker - Four Prongs
Here's a fun, easy to do DIY project that is an improvement over my previous homemade apple fruit picker tool. I call this the four-pronged fruit harvester picker. That's because instead of the usual two, this fruit picker has four prongs that are almost aligned with each other.
The four prongs of the fruit picker significantly increases the chances to catch fruit. It essentially doubles the area of the "catching area". This is especially useful when the fruits are on the higher branches and the prongs may be difficult to see behind all the upper foliage. At that height, it becomes a hit-or-miss proposition when attempting to pick fruits with a picker that only has two prongs.
The four prongs of the fruit picker significantly increases the chances to catch fruit. It essentially doubles the area of the "catching area". This is especially useful when the fruits are on the higher branches and the prongs may be difficult to see behind all the upper foliage. At that height, it becomes a hit-or-miss proposition when attempting to pick fruits with a picker that only has two prongs.
Best Homemade Apple Fruit Picker Tool - Part 3
In part 2 of this article, the procedure to fabricate the catching prongs, fruit basket and how they are joined was discussed. This part discusses the creation of the apple fruit picker pole.
Because this apple fruit picker will be transported, the fruit picker pole was designed to be extendable and collapsible. Two poles of 6-foot and 5-foot lengths will be joined to create an 11-foot long apple fruit picker pole. A 2-foot long pipe will serve as a coupling to join the two poles end-to-end.
Because this apple fruit picker will be transported, the fruit picker pole was designed to be extendable and collapsible. Two poles of 6-foot and 5-foot lengths will be joined to create an 11-foot long apple fruit picker pole. A 2-foot long pipe will serve as a coupling to join the two poles end-to-end.
Best Homemade Apple Fruit Picker Tool - Part 2
In part 1 of this article, the design, materials and tools for a cheap apple fruit picker were discussed. I call it the best homemade apple fruit picker because this DIY project implemented an apple fruit picking tool with old discarded household items and scrap construction materials. The only materials that were purchased are small hardware items like nuts, bolts and washers.
The fruit picking tool can pick not only apples but many other fruits like oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, guavas and other similar-sized fruits. Here are the steps in the procedure to making an inexpensive yet functional and effective apple fruit picking tool.
The fruit picking tool can pick not only apples but many other fruits like oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, guavas and other similar-sized fruits. Here are the steps in the procedure to making an inexpensive yet functional and effective apple fruit picking tool.
Best Homemade Apple Fruit Picker Tool
But lengthening the pole by adding pvc pipes (which are easily available) or replacing it with a longer pole may not be the obvious solution. This is because one other thing I noticed is that the fruit picker tool was a bit heavy for the pole. The fruit picker pole would sometimes bend when lowering the fruit picker tool to get the fruits from the net. Now if I extended the pole with the same pvc material, then definitely the longer pole would bend or bow even further.
Detachable Fruit Picker and Basket - Improved
After initial success picking fruits with the homemade fruit picker, I felt that the fruit picking tool can further be improved by giving it an increased catching and gripping capability. Although the first version is adequate in most cases, something's amiss.
Fruits that have a very smooth surface have a tendency to slide out from the Catch part of the fruit picker. Fruits like canistels, apples, mangoes and the like have this tendency. An apple picker for instance, would find that when the pole and the apple picking tool are almost vertical, the the catch wouldn't grasp the apple at all.
Fruits that have a very smooth surface have a tendency to slide out from the Catch part of the fruit picker. Fruits like canistels, apples, mangoes and the like have this tendency. An apple picker for instance, would find that when the pole and the apple picking tool are almost vertical, the the catch wouldn't grasp the apple at all.
DIY Fruit Picking Tool and Pole Attachment - Part 2
In the first part of this article, the materials and tools for fabricating a homemade fruit picking tool were listed. Other than a power drill, there are no special tools required to assemble this fruit picker. But it takes some time and heft to bend and form the basic frame of the fruit picker.
From the specifications of the tool's measurements, the fruit picker is able to pick medium sized fruits like apples, mangoes, oranges and many more. The fruit picker's ring is large enough to hold a big basket or net that can contain as much as 10 medium sized fruits.
From the specifications of the tool's measurements, the fruit picker is able to pick medium sized fruits like apples, mangoes, oranges and many more. The fruit picker's ring is large enough to hold a big basket or net that can contain as much as 10 medium sized fruits.
Homemade Fruit Picker with Net and Pole
We don't have any trees in our yard that are yielding any fruits. Our neighbor at the back has a hugh Santol or Cottonfruit tree that bears plenty of fruits. Although many of its ripe fruits fall on our backyard and some are near enough for us to pick, I'm not too fond of this fruit to pick them.
In our early morning walks though, I found a liking to fruits from a couple of Canistel or Eggfruit trees in a nearby subdivision. One grows near the sidewalk while the other's owner doesn't bother getting them. Many of its branches are at the street. Many of its fruits just ripen on the tree and then fall on the ground. When cars run them over, they're squashed and then flies abound.
In our early morning walks though, I found a liking to fruits from a couple of Canistel or Eggfruit trees in a nearby subdivision. One grows near the sidewalk while the other's owner doesn't bother getting them. Many of its branches are at the street. Many of its fruits just ripen on the tree and then fall on the ground. When cars run them over, they're squashed and then flies abound.
Make a Garden Dibble Handle for Comfort
In a previous article, I illustrated how to make a custom garden dibber. This customized garden dibber allows the repotting of seedling plugs from the seedling tray. The garden dibber has been effective in preventing the damage of tender roots of young seedlings.
The garden dibber, or garden dibble as others would call it, is essentially made of two basic parts: the dibble head and the dibble handle. The dibble head is molded concrete. The dibble handle is really nothing more than a metal rod that sticks out from the dibble head. It's a scrap reinforcement bar (or rebar) that is only 9 mm thick.
The rebar, as I've found, is really too thin for my hand to hold. The dibble head, being made of concrete, is a bit heavy and there isn't enough leverage when holding the garden dibble.
The garden dibber, or garden dibble as others would call it, is essentially made of two basic parts: the dibble head and the dibble handle. The dibble head is molded concrete. The dibble handle is really nothing more than a metal rod that sticks out from the dibble head. It's a scrap reinforcement bar (or rebar) that is only 9 mm thick.
The rebar, as I've found, is really too thin for my hand to hold. The dibble head, being made of concrete, is a bit heavy and there isn't enough leverage when holding the garden dibble.
Repotting Seedling Plugs from the Garden Tray
Some garden seedlings though have a more delicate root system where the roots break off easily if mishandled. Sometimes an unintentional sudden tap on the main stem may break young brittle roots. Such is the case for Bougainvillea seedlings grown from cuttings.
Garden Pruning Scissors Quick Cleaning Tips
In my long experience as an avid gardener, I've always appreciated the ready availability of reliable garden tools. It is quite frustrating to search for garden tools for half the time while in the garden. Equally irritating is to realize that the found garden tool isn't working as expected for some reason, e.g., jammed, rusty or dirty.
Gardening is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing experience and so I avoid getting into this situation especially on a daily basis. That's right. Everyday, it has been my early morning ritual to deadhead plants whether for spent blooms or unwanted shoots. Although deadheading can be done manually, I prefer to use a pair of garden pruning scissors.
Gardening is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing experience and so I avoid getting into this situation especially on a daily basis. That's right. Everyday, it has been my early morning ritual to deadhead plants whether for spent blooms or unwanted shoots. Although deadheading can be done manually, I prefer to use a pair of garden pruning scissors.
Cheap Cover for the Improvised Lawn Aerator
In a previous entry, I explained how you can assemble a homemade manual lawn aerator. Essentially, the lawn aerator uses spikes to create holes in the ground. Putting away and storing the garden aerator, however, may pose some problems.
The exposed pointed and sharp nails (spikes) can become very sharp even after continued use. There have been times when the spikes scratched my fingers and hands when I reached for this garden tool in the storage rack. So there has to be a way to store the garden tool without causing accidents.
The exposed pointed and sharp nails (spikes) can become very sharp even after continued use. There have been times when the spikes scratched my fingers and hands when I reached for this garden tool in the storage rack. So there has to be a way to store the garden tool without causing accidents.
Pruning Saw for Cutting Thick Branches
The local ACE hardware had a recent sale and so I went ahead and bought a pruning saw. We've never had a pruning saw at home before. The garden tools we use for cutting off tree limbs were either pruning shears, machete or even a hacksaw. For deadheading flowers, I use pruning shears and garden pruning scissors.
Pruning shears are also fine for twigs and plant stems that around 1/4" thick and below. Anything thicker would call for a heftier garden tool. But I don't want to carry around a regular saw to do the job. This is where a foldable pruning saw would be handy.
Pruning shears are also fine for twigs and plant stems that around 1/4" thick and below. Anything thicker would call for a heftier garden tool. But I don't want to carry around a regular saw to do the job. This is where a foldable pruning saw would be handy.
Remove Garden Weeds with a Hand Weeder
Gone are the days when the usual manner to pick out weeds in a garden is to poke the soil with a sharp stick. Even those used barbecue sticks made of bamboo were okay. You simply pierce the soil at base of the weed and attempt to loosen the surrounding soil of the weed. Then you slowly pull out the weed, hoping you get all the roots out also.
This method works conveniently if you only have a few garden weeds to pull out. That's because the sharp point of the stick becomes blunt or bent over time, and poking the garden soil becomes harder. Also, a straight implement such as a stick becomes difficult and painful for the hand and fingers after continuous weeding.
This method works conveniently if you only have a few garden weeds to pull out. That's because the sharp point of the stick becomes blunt or bent over time, and poking the garden soil becomes harder. Also, a straight implement such as a stick becomes difficult and painful for the hand and fingers after continuous weeding.
