Preventing Rusty Parts

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

xman23

Minister of Fire
Oct 7, 2008
2,631
Lackawaxen PA
Guys sorry for the long story, but just thought I would share a tip I had forgotten about and rediscovered yesterday.

After many years of trial and error, I built a bear proof bird feeder system. This design has been up for at least 10 years. It's a 100 feet of 1/8 cable strung between trees. It has pulleys at each end and shock absorbing springs that tie it off up in the trees. For filling, it lowers from one end that ties off at the base of the tree. It may sound complicated, it's not. The bears can't figure out why they can't tear it down. Once they know that they stop trying.
So after being up all this time the cable rusted through. Besides the new cable I picked up a 10, 1/8 cable clamps. I recall in previous designs they didn't last long. These had to be rusted up. But no, they were perfect. Just some very gooey grease all over them. Oh! this was back when I discovered Bell-Ray waterproof grease. It great bearing grease used on anything that gets wet. So I coated all the clamps again. I even thought about a light coat on the cable, but I don't think the birds would like it.

Tom
 
  • Like
Reactions: saewoody
Guys sorry for the long story, but just thought I would share a tip I had forgotten about and rediscovered yesterday.

After many years of trial and error, I built a bear proof bird feeder system. This design has been up for at least 10 years. It's a 100 feet of 1/8 cable strung between trees. It has pulleys at each end and shock absorbing springs that tie it off up in the trees. For filling, it lowers from one end that ties off at the base of the tree. It may sound complicated, it's not. The bears can't figure out why they can't tear it down. Once they know that they stop trying.
So after being up all this time the cable rusted through. Besides the new cable I picked up a 10, 1/8 cable clamps. I recall in previous designs they didn't last long. These had to be rusted up. But no, they were perfect. Just some very gooey grease all over them. Oh! this was back when I discovered Bell-Ray waterproof grease. It great bearing grease used on anything that gets wet. So I coated all the clamps again. I even thought about a light coat on the cable, but I don't think the birds would like it.

Tom

That’s a great idea. I have some waterproof grease for plumbing applications. Outdoor use makes a lot of sense if it isn’t something you will be messing with for a while. Great tip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Stainless steel?
 
I have a can of Boeshield that I use, works pretty well and bit easier to get off than Cosmoline