Building a Milk Stand

Heritagefarm · #21 07/20/10, 05:49 PM

Oh, topic revival! 5 years in the dust...
Anyways, we are trying to build a long milk stand (about 12 ft long, divided into 3 sections), narrow, that folds up... Quite a project.

Pony · #22 07/20/10, 10:34 PM

I went to Teh Googlez to research how to build milk stands.

After studying the pics, I went outside, grabbed a couple of pallets off the Mighty Stack O' Pallets, got the drill and some long drywall screws, and the circular saw.

Knocked the stand together using pallets, and pieces of pallets for the legs and stanchion.

Beaux was kind enough to point out a design flaw (a space where he could get his leg stuck), and right after we set his broken leg, we covered that spot with a chunk of wood.

When the kids were born, they were very helpful in showing us that I should have put a piece of plywood on the stand so no little hooves/legs would get hung up.

Then I found out that it's slippery when wet. For now, I use a sisal door mat. Next week, I plan to paint it with textured sand paint.

VegRN · #23 07/20/10, 10:38 PM

I have not had time to build a real one yet, and my back was killing me so I built what has to be the most redneck milking stand ever...two 5 gallon buckets for legs and a scrap piece of plywood attached on top. No head gate, I put it in a corner and tie her head. Looks ridiculous, but hey, it works!

Laverne · #24 07/21/10, 12:49 AM

Here's my version of "I need a simple stand now". Maple coffee table $4.00 at Goodwill, scrap 1"x 12" pine boards, two boards laminated together with screws, cut a fork in it, round edges with a grinder. Holes drilled in sides for eye screws to hang feeder and to snap top strap or a dog collar to buckle in head. Several holes can be drilled to adjust the eye screws on each side. A 2x6 screwed at the top of legs to screw the pine board on to. It's been real good for a couple years now.
Building a Milk Stand - Goats

Pony · #25 07/21/10, 08:57 AM

Wow! We sure are an imaginative bunch!

sammyd · #26 07/21/10, 09:28 AM

I built one using an old packing crate and a skid from a roll of something we had at work.

The wife cut a coffee tub short and screwed it on for the grain feeder.

http://script-host.com/self/drill/SANY0029.JPG

wintrrwolf · #27 07/21/10, 10:54 AM

I made one outta a decent pallet, legs, headstall its pretty sturdy too but to me to tall and Sugar wouldnt get up there when it was milking time...so right now I milk Sugar clipped to the fence (we are happier this way) BUT I have an idea I been stewing over for another stand still working the details out in my head.

mylala · #28 07/21/10, 11:02 AM

I built one from this http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html
Instructions are very detailed and easy to follow.

Alice In TX/MO · #29 07/21/10, 11:21 AM

This one is based on the Fias Co Farm plan, but it is slightly bigger, and we like the stability of the angled leg design.

Building a Milk Stand - Goats

Pony · #30 07/21/10, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintrrwolf

I made one outta a decent pallet, legs, headstall its pretty sturdy too but to me to tall and Sugar wouldnt get up there when it was milking time...so right now I milk Sugar clipped to the fence (we are happier this way) BUT I have an idea I been stewing over for another stand still working the details out in my head.

I thought ours was too short when Trub was having her claustrophobia issues early this Spring.

Nick took a saw to the legs, shortening them a bit, and it worked out well for both doe and milker. I like it much better, and Trub has no problem hopping up to get to her FOOD! (Goats are the beagles of the caprine world...)

pygmybabies · #31 07/28/10, 01:03 PM

what is the deminsions that i need for the neck area? My husband is building me one today and just called and said he needed to know what they space was needed for the head area to fit throught to drill the hole. Any one know what amount of space there needs to be

Alice In TX/MO · #32 07/28/10, 02:01 PM

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html

Wags · #33 07/28/10, 02:56 PM

Before building a milk stand think about your style of milking. Do you sit to the front, straight out to the side, behind the goat side saddle or behind the goat straddling the stand?

I personally find sitting directly behind and straddling the stand the easiest on my back. But I made my first stand about 3-4 inches to wide to straddle comfortably and it could stand to be about 2 inches shorter so more than my toes could touch the floor.

Mine was modified to fit my Nigerians (but not me) from the free plans one of our HT members posted on his blog. http://scroungeman.blogspot.com/p/free-e-book.html

pygmybabies · #34 07/28/10, 04:11 PM

wags. I dont have a style...lol...i just made my first attemp today. Alice I went on there, but it was kinda complicated for me to tell him over the phone. He is a cabinets builder and new what he wanted to built just neede to know how big that part needed to be...so I stopped by the shop, and he had it almost built! He accussed me of not being able to wait until he brought it to the barn. He did a great job so far, it may need some modifications, I will post the pictures. Again this is for my #8 goat of my 7 limit rule...lol ( and he is building the stand) LOVE HIM!

Alice In TX/MO · #35 07/28/10, 04:19 PM

I'm sorry. I forget that I grew up reading plans, and it's not easy for everyone.

The gap in that one is 3 inches. One of my big LaMancha does won't fit. The rest do.