Feedback for CJ on the defender

[ExtraMedium]

Just thought I'd say how pleased in general I am with my Small Silver Defender seed feeder and the guardian I got to go with it, so far.

There is one area that could urgently use a look at though; I had great difficulty getting the plastic wing nut into the base, as the thread inside the base has been powder coated, which is an odd approach. It has made the threads too close a match and after the second turn, it stopped dead and jammed up like a crossed thread would. I had to oil it several times with groundnut oil to get it to go more or less all the way. Although oiling was the only option in this case, I am concerned, as oil and plastics are a very bad mix, since the oil will induce premature failure in plastic parts (since most plastics are oil based in their origin). I was pretty sure I was about to break the wing nut a few times, as I had shredded wheat this morning and you don't quite know your own strength sometimes on that stuff.:) Half an hour of needless fiddling about really, and it could have been so much better than that. Probably should have been come to that.:confused: (I've no quibble with the price, but this really should not be a feature at that price point)

I'd suggest either the coating is not applied to the thread (small round sticky label applied over the aperture while coating, and then removed after or liquid mask or some other similar method); Alternatively the nut is made either smaller or of metal, or even both ideally. If it is intentional that the thread is coated, then it may be that the injection moulds for the wing nut are becoming worn, as an increased size "shot" producing a tighter fit than required would be a symptom of that being the case. Since there was no sign of flashing or trimming of flash then I don't think this is quite so likely in this instance.

What size thread is this meant to be anyway? If I know that I would be able, perhaps, to source a bolt of the correct size. I'd imagine this might make it a bit tricky if one wanted to pole mount one of these too, depending on the fittings and materials involved, as you'd have even less purchase to wrestle it home then.

I got it to go more or less all the way home this time, but it's not an adequate or acceptable long term solution. I'd really like to find a good one.

Hope this helps you make them even better!:)

Cheers,
Ian

[ExtraMedium]

I've just watched a squirrel open the lid on the Defender.

I went and closed it, and in less than a minute the squirrel had returned and opened it again. I'd add that the second time it seemed quite trivial and routine to the creature, just like you or I might open a coffee jar to make a cuppa. So that's less than 24 hours and there's a vulnerability showing.

I've made a temporary adjustment to the design for now. It does wholly rely on having a guardian in place though.

The original design was mostly reliant on friction against the hanger to make the lid a hard one for them, however once it's raining, there is enough lubrication in water to make this no longer squirrel resistant at all.

A better idea seems to be needed. I've had a couple off the top of my head, but it's still a little early in the day yet for the good ideas to start flowing.

It's no good relying on weight given what the lid weighs, as a squirrel can easily cart off a whole pear and run and climb with it, so it's got to weigh much more if it's to really hinder/defeat them through weight alone.

As soon as the lid is open, it exposes the polycarb to the attentions of the squirrel, and then it's only going to be a matter of time before they chew it enough to get the bail removed. Not very long I'd guess. Also once open the lid stays open, as it hasn't the weight to fall back into place, no matter how wet it gets, and thus reducing the friction on the hanger. As I closed it the second time it was quite clearly sizing up the rim for a good chew on it. In time that would obviously work too.

I'll be interested to hear comments from CJ about this.