How to Make a Seed Cleaner

by Marvin Walton

Below are the plans to make a very inexpensive, yet simple, seed cleaner that  works very well.  Seeds may have to be ran through the cleaner at least two or three times in order to clean it thoroughly, however it is much more economical than throwing seeds away.

**NOTE** Clean only seed from healthy birds, if you suspect that a bird is sick do not re-use the seed.

MATERIALS LIST:

• 3" PVC "Y"
• 3" threaded pipe cap or 3" PVC pipe cap
• Pint funnel
• 3" PVC 12" long (May need greater lengths depending on vacuum strength).
• 3" slip/thread coupling (used with screw caps only)

NOTE: Use a Shop Vac type wet/dry vacuum with a 1 1/4 " suction hose, if using a vacuum with a 2" hose, the adapter of the top will need to be 2" instead of 1 1/4 ". The length of the cleaner may have to be increased for more powerful vacuums. Do this by increasing top PVC pipe length.  

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut 3" PVC pipe into two pieces, 1 piece 12 inches long and 1 piece 3" long.

2. Cut the funnel end off to an opening of 1 1/4 inches. See pictures above

3. Use adapters on the top of the threaded cap to fit your  vacuum suction hose. Note: Adapter used should be according to diameter of the hose to be used. See picture above.

4. Place the 12 inch piece of pipe in the bottom section of the 3" "Y" (it is not necessary to glue any part of this together).

5. Place 3" slip/thread coupling onto 3" PVC pipe piece. Then screw in the threaded cap. Tap with a hammer so that all pieces of the pipe and fittings seat.
6. Attach Shop Vac hose to the hole in the threaded cap. Then place clean container under bottom opening to catch recycled seed. Pour seed in funnel slowly. Empty seed hulls get vacuumed up and good seed drops into container. A hook may be attached to the pipe coupling for mounting recycler to the wall.

Overall length of the cleaner should be about 18" long. However this may change depending on the strength of the Shop Vac being used.

Last updated:   January 17, 2010    ©2003- 2010 - The Canary's Nest