New Use for Roller Chain

[CJ5Dave]

I build wooden armadillo traps that use pulleys for the string trip mechanism. Each trap uses 4 pulleys. Some build these traps with eye hooks instead of pulleys, but the pulleys make it work a lot better when the string gets wet. The pulleys are $6 to $8 each individually, but I buy them online for about $2 each. That's still $8 per trap. I saw a Utube video where somebody used roller chain links to make string pulleys. These are # 60 links I think. Wondering about a hardware piece that would suspend the roller links like the cup hooks i use with the pulleys. I could use blocks and a screw but looking for a single hardware piece. The wooden traps work better than metal live traps as they hold the smell of a live armadillo and that's about the only bait that workds for them. Most people who buy a trap catch one in a couple of days.

 

[Nctox]

That looks so much like the rabbit traps I used to make when I was a kid. Does the trap have to be open at both ends to entice the armadillo to enter? If not then it';s much more elaborate than the ones I used to make.

 

[GrifterGuru]

@CJ5Dave

Surprised you are not using bicycle / motorcycle chain. They are eay to split and can be very easy to mount using a screw/through bolt through a wooden block.

Also, if you push the pin between plates so the plates are slightly further apart (about a half mm wider) , the roller/spacer rotates freely too.

 

[tjb]

In your area, you may be able to get a pretty good chunk of chain from a farmer with a non-functional round baler. I got a nice chunk and used it to make this small hardware rotisserie. Farmers will usually give you stuff like this just to get it out of their barns.



Regards

 

[ChazzC]

I build wooden armadillo traps that use pulleys for the string trip mechanism. Each trap uses 4 pulleys. Some build these traps with eye hooks instead of pulleys, but the pulleys make it work a lot better when the string gets wet. The pulleys are $6 to $8 each individually, but I buy them online for about $2 each. That's still $8 per trap. I saw a Utube video where somebody used roller chain links to make string pulleys. These are # 60 links I think. Wondering about a hardware piece that would suspend the roller links like the cup hooks i use with the pulleys. I could use blocks and a screw but looking for a single hardware piece. The wooden traps work better than metal live traps as they hold the smell of a live armadillo and that's about the only bait that workds for them. Most people who buy a trap catch one in a couple of days. View attachment 515891View attachment 515892View attachment 515893

And what do you do with the armadillos afterwards? I always wanted a stuffed armadillo like Harry Stone had on Night Court: I asked a Taxidermist in Texas (between Houston & College Station) about it many years ago, and he told me that armadillos carried Leprosy.

 

[yota]

"that armadillos carried Leprosy". don't know if they all do but they can. well known in the south.

 

[CJ5Dave]

I don't know, but the original LSU trap plan was made this way. I guess the armadillo thinks he is going in a burrow. The only way to catch them with a metal live trap is to funnel them in with boards like a cattle chute. My daddy in la would call that a "rabbit gum".

 

[CJ5Dave]

Shoot them, bury them, wash my hands. I have plenty of chain. Just looking for a good way to mount links.

 

[francist]

About the only thing that comes to my mind is a cornice hook — if you found a size that would fit through the open end of the link (where the pin was). Not perfect in that the link could slide off the hook just as easily but maybe you could put a little block of wood to act as a stop or something? Maybe two hooks that could be turned inwards at the same time so the link is captured? Dunno, that’s the only thing I could think of…

 

[pontiac428]

I pictured a crab pot, it's not much different in practice. I thought you might crack 'em and dip the meat in drawn butter. Do they scream when you boil 'em though?