Whoever wanted pics of homemade mallard machine

[Flightstopper]

Remember someone said they used a Christmas tree stand and saw this digging around in my attic. So far total investment $0.00. We'll see how it holds up and figure it will slip off at some point. 50/50.

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[Olly]

So is this machine supposed to make the water move beneath the decoys? I've never used mechanical decoy stuff before. Explain this one to me please.

[Flightstopper]

Yup, boils the water as well as Bob the decoys down with it to make it look like they are feeding. Youtube.

[Steele22]

So is this machine supposed to make the water move beneath the decoys? I've never used mechanical decoy stuff before. Explain this one to me please.

On mine I tie a decoy on all 4 corners of the square frame. When it sets in my pond the 4 decoys are pulled down almost like a feeder decoy- heads kinda underwater. Trolling motor is 3 ft underwater. When I turn in on it throws a hell of a ripple and the decoys move like crazy. Just a big jerk rig really. Keeps a small hole open in ice too

[Steele22]

Remember someone said they used a Christmas tree stand and saw this digging around in my attic. So far total investment $0.00. We'll see how it holds up and figure it will slip off at some point. 50/50.

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That's a great idea man. Could add some zip ties or metal bands to make sure it holds. Already got your 4 corners for decoys too. Depending on how heavy it is. May need super mags but doubt it

[Flightstopper]

Remember someone said they used a Christmas tree stand and saw this digging around in my attic. So far total investment $0.00. We'll see how it holds up and figure it will slip off at some point. 50/50.

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1408926138835.jpg[/attachment]

That's a great idea man. Could add some zip ties or metal bands to make sure it holds. Already got your 4 corners for decoys too. Depending on how heavy it is. May need super mags but doubt it

It's pretty light as is. Didn't even have to drill holes in the ends to tie decoys to I didn't want to clamp down too hard and risk opening the housing.

[Duckdog]

I think it's a great idea too!
Props!

I was thinking the frame out of an old aluminum lawn chair would work pretty slick too...

[Steele22]

10-4 looks like you got a good start man

[Flightstopper]

I think it's a great idea too!
Props!

I was thinking the frame out of an old aluminum lawn chair would work pretty slick too...

[Rick]

What I like best about your Christmas tree bracket is that it should let you float your prop right at the surface where it can throw a spray as it begins its dive that I believe will increase its visibility and draw tremendously.

('Course, that's still just a theory, as I only recently modified my Mallard Machine to imitate birds throwing up a spray of water like the real deal so often does and haven't test fired it on game yet.)

[Flightstopper]

Gonna go pick up some 5200 to seal it up and it just might be kicking in the bath tub just in time for Alicia to get home. Will probably use a heat gun and try and cup the prop like you did as well.

[Rick]

I thought about modifying the prop, itself, but opted for adding Quick Steel can be removed, should the unthinkable happen and the birds fail to recognize genius.

And if yours works at all like mine, the tub is not a good place to test it...

Have a bunch of stuff going on today but may try for a short video in the kid's pool that will show what I mean.

[Flightstopper]

My luck she'd fail to recognize genius as well with my test facility. I can run it over to a near by pond to try once it's together.

[capt1972]

[Duckdog]

Just from my recent experience with the 5200, it takes at least 24 hours before it even loses it's "tack".
And, it's runny as hell...

[Flightstopper]

Good shit though.

[Bufflehead]

Use fast cure and it will be dry to touch in a hour or so.

[Flightstopper]

Use fast cure and it will be dry to touch in a hour or so.

All home depot had was the regular slow cure. Will probably give it a quick try after class today anyways.

[The Duck Hammer]

Been halfway through building one of these for a few years now. Definitely need to get back on this project.

[Rick]

Here's the video I've been meaning to post of my modified Mallard Machine in action:



And, no, Papaw Rick hasn't been the keeper of the grand kids' pool since some of them moved next door - and mighty glad of it after seeing it today.

[Rick]

Hmmm... Something I'm noticing in the video that I'd missed in testing is that my prop modification to create more splash is transferring more torque to the decoys, which will cause them to spin around and twist the cord and anchor chain more. May end up removing the Quick Steel cups I added, if it proves problematic in practice...

[Duckdog]

I like that too...
I'm not so sure about "clear" water though..? Judging from the video of your marsh, I doubt you have that problem but otherwise, do you think the prop and motor being that shallow would flare ducks?

[Steele22]

I like that too...
I'm not so sure about "clear" water though..? Judging from the video of your marsh, I doubt you have that problem but otherwise, do you think the prop and motor being that shallow would flare ducks?

marsh he said lol looks like a good idea but yea mine would have to be in much deeper water. I just have my newest man in the blind touching the alligator clip on and off the battery.

[Rick]

...do you think the prop and motor being that shallow would flare ducks?

When they pick that prop and motor out of a marsh pond and flare, we'll have to let them get out a ways before shooting.

[Flightstopper]

Looks good Rick. You don't think that will flare close birds throwing that much water? Or is it just to get birds looking from a distance?

[Duckdog]

I like that too...
I'm not so sure about "clear" water though..? Judging from the video of your marsh, I doubt you have that problem but otherwise, do you think the prop and motor being that shallow would flare ducks?

marsh he said lol looks like a good idea but yea mine would have to be in much deeper water. I just have my newest man in the blind touching the alligator clip on and off the battery.

That is funny, but I was actually talking about his video yesterday in his ACTUAL marsh...

[Rick]

Looks good Rick. You don't think that will flare close birds throwing that much water? Or is it just to get birds looking from a distance?

I've never had much luck with a jerk cord or Mallard Machine as a finishing device for big ducks, anyway, and certainly wouldn't expect this to be any harder to over use on close approaching birds. Just expect it to be more effective for distant or quartering away close ones.

Next time you get a chance to watch a mess of ducks on the water, see if some of them aren't throwing like crazy. Have wanted to duplicate that for decades and have finally figured out how to do it. Now I need to find good use for some of the other crap I've collected thinking it might make a meaningful splasher...

This, for those who've not seen it, is what I'm trying to duplicate:


to help induce this:


Believe, btw, I've an answer to the torque twist problem...

[Flightstopper]

Looks like I'll be giving it a try then as well.

[Steele22]

Damn gotta love that Arkansas timber. Watching the woods will give wood

[Rick]

It's easy to love when the birds are falling like leaves through the trees, but gets about as old as sitting in the house when they're off in the fields somewhere.