Low Cost Home Made Flight Stand

Uglow

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Jan 19, 2016
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So Katie asked about Uglow's flight stand in a thread a few months ago which I just noticed. sorry
Basically for the price of one of the store bought flight stands, you can make 4 of these and have money left over.
Here's what you need to make your own.
I got a Pyle-Pro PMKS5 Compact Base Black Microphone Stand from amazon
for 30 bucks
31UpihynW2L_zps15j1idsj.jpg

and I believe a 9/16" spade bit. but it might have been a 1/2" spade bit. Sorry I made it several months ago.
12140911_zpsqkd9ihg9.jpg

And you'll need a branch (and maybe a spare) at least 1.5" in diameter. Length is up to you...just depends how far away from the center you want your baby to poop.
You'll also need a drill for your spade bit and a saw to get the branch.

Let's talk about the branch first. First, check with sources to make sure the tree and bark are safe. Make sure the tree you're using is pesticide free. Make sure the tree is healthy. And you'll need to cut a living branch. I used my mom's pear tree. she needed some branches cut last summer and I saved the best pieces for Uglow. Scrub the branch clean with soap and water and bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 15 minutes.

When you get your mic stand, unscrew this part.
41OL3BkquL_zpswczyor82.jpg

and toss it in your everything drawer.
Take the rest apart and wash thoroughly to get all the factory oils and stuff off. dry and reassemble.

Take your drill with spade bit and drill into the branch. Careful the branch doesn't roll on you and careful not to drill too deep. When the point of the spade bit "just" starts to poke out the other side, STOP. A fresh branch will be a little juicy. that's good.

Firmly press the branch into the top of the mic stand and start rotating clockwise. keep the downward pressure firm and keep the branch perpendicular to the stand. I went through two branches until I got it right. If you have a hammer, a few taps will help get you started. If the branch is loose, you need a smaller spade bit and a new branch. The reason you don't want an old dry branch is that they might split when you're twisting it on.

That's about it.
IMG_6256_zpsnmlgkmyu.jpg


As a bonus, you can cut a hole in a paper plate and stick it at the bottom to catch their poop.

Final note. Uglow is a 350g bird. The force of his take off rocks the stand a bit. A bigger bird might knock the stand over completely, So I wouldn't recommend this for a bird heavier than 375g. His landings are gentle and the stand stays put.

Anyway, hope this helps out and saves you a few bucks.
 

Anansi

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Sweet tutorial! Wish I'd come across this a few years ago! Would've saved me a few bucks well.
 

wrench13

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LOL, folks , send those useless mic clips to me! We break them all the time. Great idea - there are also mic stands with tripod legs instead of one heavy base, which might be a bit sturdier for take offs. And you can raise or lower the perch portion to suit your birdie. I can see conure owners really digging this, little 200 gram birds won't budge this a bit .
 

GaleriaGila

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That is genius. My brother is a professional musician... I've seen a zillion mic stands and that use never occurred to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

katie_fleming

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Thank you so much!!! This is far more affordable than the ones I've seen online. Might be a perfect Winter project once I don't want to go outside other than for work hahaha

Thanks again!!
 

BruceTheQuail

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Jun 12, 2016
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I made table perches (about a foot high, for step-up training) the same way using lamp stands which I had bought (complete with lamp) on sale for about $15 each. The trick is to get something with a big base, with the base heavy if possible. Obviously the higher the stand, the bigger and heavier the base will need to be.

Essentially rip off the shade and take out the wiring (which takes all of 2 minutes) then drill out the perch 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through and jam it on. It needs to be a very tight fit - just follow Uglow's directions on that. The eckies dont really use the lamp ltands, though the caiques and lovebirds do.
 

Kentuckienne

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Thrift stores are chock-a-block full of those round flat weights that go on bars for weightlifting. They have a hole in the center, coincidentally about the right size for most upright stands. Just slide it on the bottom above the base or figure out some devilishly clever way to make it so. They come in various diameters and weights, all with the same size holes, so you can make a stable enough stand for a Pategonian Pteradactyl's takeoff.
 

GaleriaGila

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All great ideas.

The Rickeybird just made a contribution...

For whatever reason, he decided to claim a hat-rack as a perch. Tossed/chewed/defiled all items on it. Now uses it as a perch-station as he flies around the house terrorizing us.

It's stable, decorative, easy to clean...

*sigh*
 

katie_fleming

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Oct 30, 2012
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Jasper (6yr old Solomon Island Eclectus Parrot)
Thanks for the ideas! When I go home for Christmas I'll see if I can take a look around for something. Easier than venturing around Montreal car-less :D I'll let you know if I end up finding/making one!
 

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