This was my final solution for trying to accurately catch and manipulate those frisky crickets which were driving me mad. I tried all the common suggestions and just wasn't having any consistent luck so I decided to try something new. As it turns out, this thing is scary good and makes working with crickets trivial, and it's absolutely hysterical seeing the crickets pinned to the screen on their backs. 
I only used parts I had laying around and wasn't using, though it could be done million different ways. I was originally thinking of using a little data vac I had but remembered the old Swifer vac I had that the batteries had died in. It still worked with the wall wart, but it was kinda useless that way. The Swifer battery pack was 7.2 volts which gave me the idea of using some old 7.2 Makita parts I had that I no longer use.
I modified the charger to just pass the battery voltage back through the outlet plug to the vac motor. I unsoldered and lifted any components that were in the voltage path so the charger could easily be put back together if I ever wanted to. The bug chamber is just two PVC reducers with a clear plastic tube that was a holder for a 3M microfiber cloth. I used a press to push a thick aluminum ring over some pet screen to finish it off. The hose from my portable vac fit perfectly into the reducer which made things very easy.
With a different approach on the screening, you could easily put a hose on each end and use it in-line with an existing vac, though it may be a bit strong if using a full size home or shop vac. I mounted the motor assembly to the bench top in the basement where the crickets are. For now I just hold the tube onto the top of the vac with one hand and use the other to aim the nozzle. I might end up making something to seat the bug chamber to the top of the vac in the future, but it was so easy to use as it is, I might never get around to it.
I realize some people might think this is overkill, but I can only tell you that I was tired of being frustrated every day trying to catch exactly the right amount of crickets to put in the gut loading aquarium and taking the ones that were ready to the cage. Now I actually look forward to it. When I tried for the first time this morning, I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face for at least an hour.
More pictures of the build are here if anyone is interested. Just click the Cricket Vac album.
Cheers,
Eidolen
I only used parts I had laying around and wasn't using, though it could be done million different ways. I was originally thinking of using a little data vac I had but remembered the old Swifer vac I had that the batteries had died in. It still worked with the wall wart, but it was kinda useless that way. The Swifer battery pack was 7.2 volts which gave me the idea of using some old 7.2 Makita parts I had that I no longer use.
I modified the charger to just pass the battery voltage back through the outlet plug to the vac motor. I unsoldered and lifted any components that were in the voltage path so the charger could easily be put back together if I ever wanted to. The bug chamber is just two PVC reducers with a clear plastic tube that was a holder for a 3M microfiber cloth. I used a press to push a thick aluminum ring over some pet screen to finish it off. The hose from my portable vac fit perfectly into the reducer which made things very easy.
With a different approach on the screening, you could easily put a hose on each end and use it in-line with an existing vac, though it may be a bit strong if using a full size home or shop vac. I mounted the motor assembly to the bench top in the basement where the crickets are. For now I just hold the tube onto the top of the vac with one hand and use the other to aim the nozzle. I might end up making something to seat the bug chamber to the top of the vac in the future, but it was so easy to use as it is, I might never get around to it.
I realize some people might think this is overkill, but I can only tell you that I was tired of being frustrated every day trying to catch exactly the right amount of crickets to put in the gut loading aquarium and taking the ones that were ready to the cage. Now I actually look forward to it. When I tried for the first time this morning, I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face for at least an hour.
More pictures of the build are here if anyone is interested. Just click the Cricket Vac album.
Cheers,
Eidolen
