I'm frugal...very much so. And while I love the fancy pants milking stands, and feel they are a definite worthwhile investment, I just couldn't bring myself to spend $150+ on a milking stand. I'm also not very crafty when it comes to wood working so a beautiful wood homemade one was also out of the question.
What I am is resourceful. Enter the mostly free milking stand. The stanchion and base are made from solid wood cabinet fronts given to me by a friend. She gave me tons after she had her kitchen redone, knowing I'd eventually have a use.
The 2X4 supports were cute from a cull piece of lumber which cost me a whopping 51¢.
The screws were from the screw jar. A jar I keep full of random bits left over from other projects.
The only things I actually purchased specifically for this project was the hook and eye latch for about $2.50 ( and it came with two sets). I also used 4 corner brackets. The two heavy duty ones that are attaching the base to the side of the kidding stall were actually left over from building the kidding stall.
The two smaller L brackets were used basically to stabilize the stanchion and single leg while I screwed everything together. I left them attached for extra support. Those were about $3.50 for a set of four including screws and I have two left.
I'll probably use the remaining ones to attach some sort of feeder.
So there you have it. My ugly, mostly free milking stand.
I plan on lining the top of the base with some anti slip something or other that will help keeps the goats from sliding around as well as keep the hooves trimmed up.
I'll also add a top to the whole pen some time in the near future. In the high desert we get crazy heat, wind and snow so a roof is a must.
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