The Durable Fruit Picker
Introduction: The Durable Fruit Picker
Here's an easy to make fruit picker that takes only a few minutes to make and will last a lifetime. If you've ever picked fruit before, you know it can be no fun missing out on that perfect apple or pear just out of reach! Also, no more getting scratched up and constant repositioning your body to get at that luscious fruit in the center of the tree. Once you make and own one of these pickers, you'll never go picking without it again!
Hint: If you think this is too much to read, just go through the pictures. I made notes with the pictures for easy making.
Supplies
Tools needed: Protein powder container, length of old curtain rod (cut to comfortable length), 1/2 inch plywood scrap, Goop, Sharpie, drill, drill bits, sharp utility knife, one screw, closed cell foam padding, jig saw or band saw, sand paper, wood glue, paint.
Step 1: Find a Suitable Container
Take your time finding a suitable container. While many containers will work, some will work better than others. Focus on one large enough to contain the fruit you want to pick. In addition to overall size, making this fruit picker requires finding a container that has a rather stiff bottom. I chose to use an old protein powder container. It's food safe, durable, there was no heavy label to remove, and it's easy to clean.
Step 2: Mark and Cut
Here I flipped over the container and marked where I wanted to cut the opening. Using the triangle recycle imprint on the bottom as reference I extended those lines to the edge of the base. Doing so maintains the thickest part of the plastic. After marking the center birds mouth, I marked another birds mouth on either side, for three birds mouths and two teeth total. Then I drew a mouth down the side of the container, leaving roughly 1/3 of the container for the collection bucket.
Step 3: Joining the Container Lid to the Dowel
I found some closed cell foam I'd saved from a package and using the lid and a Sharpie I traced out a circle. This piece of foam sits on the inside of the lid to serve as a cushion for when the fruit falls into the picker. Make sure to cut it a little large so it fits snugly into the bottom. I also cut a roughly 2 inch strip to line the inside of the container as some added cushioning. 496
I think it's important to use closed cell foam here for its durability and ease of cleaning.
Following the same step for the plywood, I traced out a circle. I cut both the foam and the plywood with a band saw, but a jig saw or coping saw could just as easily be used. And it doesn't have to be a circle either, and octagon would work just as well. The point of the plywood is to connect the container lid and the dowel rod firmly so when using the picker it provides a nice solid pull.
After cutting the foam and plywood, I drilled a small hole in the center of the lid. This is easy because the lid already has a center dimple from the factory. Then line up the lid with the plywood and drill through the plywood circle.
Now add Goop (or other suitable adhesive) between the lid and the plywood circle. Add wood glue to the dowel. Screw through the hole in the lid, through the plywood, and into the dowel. Now the lid is firmly connected to the dowel. Don't skimp on the glue here, you want as solid of a connection as possible. Wait for the glue to dry and set up before using the picker. (Lid-Goop-Plywood-Wood Glue-Dowel + screw through the whole assembly)
For easy hanging I drilled a hole on the handle end. I figured this could be used to hang on the wall or maybe put some paracord through it as a lanyard.
Step 4: Test It, Paint It, Go Picking!
Here it is! I ended up using the cut out section of the first one to trace over an identical container and made two fruit pickers. I then tested the picker to make sure it worked well, and once satisfied, I gave it a quick sanding and painted it. I also wanted it to be easy to clean. The container itself can be unscrewed and every part can be hosed off or cleaned in the sink, so mission accomplished! Whoo hoo!
More importantly, this fruit picked works! Every apple you see in the bathtub pic was picked with these!
Hope you've found this useful and enjoyable! Have fun picking! 496