Cage perch clamp washers too small--found large enough washers to DIY better support

[cytherian]

The perches that were bought for these cages came with round clamping washers that are just a bit too small. Instead of reaching 4 horizontal bars, they only touched on 2, barely 3, which isn't enough for adequate support... which makes the perches a little wobbly. And in tightening to correct this, the supplied washers start to bend.

After looking around quite a bit, I finally found a supplier who makes large enough plates. They're on eBay, going by the username "lumberjack1983".

The ones I bought are 1/16" thick steel, 2.75" OD (outer diameter) x 5/16" ID (inner diameter). The inner diameter is the hole where the screw post goes through. It's very important to make sure you measure yours, as some of these screw posts are in different sizes. Installed in place, they worked out great and provide terrific support for the bird with no perch wobble. If you want to get these, just be careful to get the appropriate ID and thickness. 1/16" is more than enough (there is thicker, which is way overkill).

 

[Flboy]

Great! A caution though. If your little one develops an obsession with them, you will risk heavy metal poisoning! Very easy in birds!

 

[SailBoat]

Your local Hardware Store and/or big box store will have what you are looking for. The best hardware for Parrots is Stainless Steel bits. A grade above would be Marine Grade Stainless Steel as it is commonly de-burred, which removes the sharpe edges.

If you choose to use a non-treated or coated steel, use a corn or olive oil to keep them from rusting.

As stated by my good friend above, Chromed or Zinc coated bits are toxic, heavy metal issues.

 

[cytherian]

Your local Hardware Store and/or big box store will have what you are looking for. The best hardware for Parrots is Stainless Steel bits. A grade above would be Marine Grade Stainless Steel as it is commonly de-burred, which removes the sharpe edges.

If you choose to use a non-treated or coated steel, use a corn or olive oil to keep them from rusting.

As stated by my good friend above, Chromed or Zinc coated bits are toxic, heavy metal issues.

I had gone to Home Depot, but there wasn't anything available of the right size. The good thing is that these washers are positioned and colored such that the birds don't even notice them. For beak cleaning, the rub them on their perches and on the bars of the cage, never the perch supports.

 

[Flboy]

Your local Hardware Store and/or big box store will have what you are looking for. The best hardware for Parrots is Stainless Steel bits. A grade above would be Marine Grade Stainless Steel as it is commonly de-burred, which removes the sharpe edges.

If you choose to use a non-treated or coated steel, use a corn or olive oil to keep them from rusting.

As stated by my good friend above, Chromed or Zinc coated bits are toxic, heavy metal issues.

I had gone to Home Depot, but there wasn't anything available of the right size. The good thing is that these washers are positioned and colored such that the birds don't even notice them. For beak cleaning, the rub them on their perches and on the bars of the cage, never the perch supports.

Try Lowe’s! I have found they carry a large assortment of SS hardware! A good size feed and grain store is also a great source!

 

[wrench13]

What you are looking for are known as "fender washers" meaning the OD is much much larger than the ID. MSCdirect.com will have any washer you need, in any material.

Back in the day of metal car fenders, using a regular washer would allow the bolt head or the nut to eventually go thru the metal fender. The huge OD of a fender washer distributes the stress over a larger area, preventing that.