Making a feeder from barrel... questions

It cant be hard, i have a few questions.

1. Buy a barrel with lid.

2. Drill hole in bottom, but with what? What size? Core?

3. Buy funnel, insert over hole with self tapping.

4. Attach motor/ timer combo with self tapping.

5. We attach to tree with straps.

If i am way off, please let me know.

#2 hole saw, maybe 21/2" attached to drill.
No leg brackets or legs?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boss-Buck-Barrel-Band-Leg-Kit/2066388.uts

I would not tie it to a tree. Use this, if you have any questions PM me. I make every effort to not make any more holes than I have too in a barrel.

http://cannonfeeder.com

I want one of these...

"We attach to tree with straps." How would you do that? Where would the straps go? I agree with TexasLefty. Not a good idea. A 55-gal drum full of corn weighs over 350 lb.

We tried it many years ago with a smaller plastic feeder barrel that came with a leg kit. The thought process was, if we hang it from a tree the hogs can't knock it over, it ended up on the ground several times. Eventually we got back up there and the barrel was broken open. For a temporary spot just to see what's in the area ok, permanently no.

If have a feeder I can loan you for the season.

This about 10' in the air with a chain around a tree limb and a trail camera is what I use to scout a new area. Obviously I'm not using it right now.

I would have never thought of it, but a barrel strapped to a tree was already on our place when we got it, 4 years ago. Works great.

Just get a couple of thick straps and ratchet them tight to a tree.

I use a 4" hole saw. Mainly because thats what on-time calls for. Also have some spin cast feeders, and they state to use a 5.5" but the 4" works fine as long as your using a funnel. West texas feeder supply has good prices for barrel bands. Use 1.5" conduit for legs. self tapping screws work fine but i think regular bolt and nut with washer is better.

my dad used to have a 120 lb grease drum for a feeder, about the same diameter as a 5 gallon bucket, but a little over twice as tall. He wrapped a small chain around a heavy limb 10-14 foot high and attached a pulley to it, then used a boat winch (mounted to the tree with a couple of large lag screws) to raise & lower the barrel (be sure to use a brake style winch). That was only about 100-120 lbs of corn plus the weight of the barrel/timer/motor, so probably 150 lbs ... a 55 gallon barrel would be pushing 350-400 lbs loaded out, so hopefully a pretty hefty limb to attach it too.

1.75-2" diameter hole roughly centered in the bottom, then self tapping screws and funnel similiar to this small funnel

attach timer/motor box using self tapping screws ...

If you know any electricians, a knock out punch for 2 inch conduit is just right for the bottom hole.

I've; built a bunch of feeders with 55 gal. barrels. You can buy kits for legs and then you can back up your truck to it and make an easy deal of filling them. I have hogs around all my feeders and have never had one of them damaged from them. Three pipes for legs and a kit from Cabellas or Academy and you're in business.

OK you may have figured this out already so if I'm late to the party so be it. I have been building feeders for many years, I am addressing your issues point by point.
1) Buy a barrel with lid. Yes get you a 55 gal drum preferably with a lid so you don't have to cut one end, but it's not the end of the world.
2)Drill hole in bottom, but with what? What size? Core? I use a 2 1/8" or 2 1/4" hole saw that you can attach to a drill, may sure you use some oil when cutting through the drum. This can be done in many ways depending on your resources, skill and such. I use a 2" hole because You Will Want to put a funnel in it. Find center and center punch it before drilling. Make you take a round file to it after cutting through, sharp edges cut.
3) Buy funnel, insert over hole with self tapping. Before you get to the funnel what kind of feeder is this going to be and how are you attaching the legs and what kind of legs. The reason I ask is on mine I have straight legs and bolt them from the outside below where the top of the funnel inside the barrel. elevate the barrel off the floor a few inches fit the funnel down the inside of barrel through the hole. DO NOT drill holes to secure funnel, a hole is a place for the feeder to let water in, not good. Go to Home depot plumbing Get a tube of Rector Seal plumbing keadable epoxy putty. It about Five bucks and is great for all sorts of things. Moisten your hands kead it and secure like tape around the top inside of the funnel three to four areas. Allow a while for it to set up, turn barrel over and repeat where the funnel comes through the bottom of barrel. This should hold funnel in place and no holes.
4) Attach motor/ timer combo with self tapping. Take the spinner plate off center shaft over funnel mark holes & drill. I use rubber grommet sheet metal screws. I also drill a hole and put a pop rivet on each side for insurance.
5)We attach to tree with straps. here I am going to stop because I don't know your setup. I built Winch feeders and had many discussions on this and other sites. I will not sell a feeder without a brake winch on it because 300 lbs. of corn comes down much faster than it goes up. When it comes to a tree, there are several factors to consider. I'm not telling I haven't ever done the same thing, just that be careful. I will say this STRAPS out in the weather fail, steel is much more weather resistant.Hope this helps

brilliant idea on how you attached the legs without having to make bends in the tubing!

interested in how you attached legs..pm me or text me garry 817-243-7343

One we threw together and is still working fine. Never mind our welds we were using an old wire feeder that was spitting and spattering with the flux core wire that day.

Some good ideas here.