ERNIE-COBB

TCF BIRDROOM SUPPLIES

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WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEB PAGE OF

ERNIE COBB, MASTER CRAFTSMAN

A rather large number of fanciers in the USA know Ernie but prefer to keep that fact to themselves so as not to reveal their source for the finest, handcrafted show cages made anywhere in North America, if not the entire world!

SOME HISTORICAL FACTS

Ernie is a mere 73 years of age and as anyone who has ever spoken to him can tell from his distinct accent, he was born in the United Kingdom. Ernie runs his husband-and-wife operation from a small shop in his back yard located in Calgary, Canada. Since he paints all his show cages outside, Ernie halts that part of cage-building process for 4-5 months out of the year because of the cold Canadian climate. He does however continue to make his cage fronts in his small basement.

Some fanciers know from years of experience that they sometimes must wait up to 2 years for his high-quality show cages. Ernie and his wife make most every single kind of show cage known in the canary fancy. Ernie calls cage-making "occupational therapy" since it takes hours to make just one cage, yet is better than simply laying down watching the TV. He does however watch a bit of television as he weaves the fine wire around the bars of his wire show cages. He states that he's made so many wire show cages over the years that he can pretty much perform the task with his eyes closed!

Ernie is the only person in North America who practices this old-fashioned, time-tested way of making wire cages, while others these days prefer to simply weld the wires together.

Fanciers who attended the 2006 National Cage Bird Exhibition, were once again privileged to relish in the experience of watching Ernie make both a Frill show cage and a Yorkshire show cage! Many stopped by and snapped photos of this superior craftsman producing what are actually, in my opinion, pieces of art!

For those of you who missed this event, here are a series of photos showing Ernie "in action". Simply click on each thumbnail image to open it then click on the back arrow in the browser toolbar to return to this page and view the next shot.

Ernie Building A Yorkshire Canary Show Cage at The 2006 National Cage Bird Show

Finally, here are some photos of the finished product! Well, not really, it still needed to be washed of the flux, dried and painted black. For those of you unfamiliar with what flux is, it is a substance which facilitates soldering or brazing by chemically cleaning the metals to be joined. It is a substance which is nearly inert at room temperature, but which 'melts' at elevated temps and acts as a wetting agent as it prevents the formation of metal oxides. Flux is corrosive and as such, must be cleaned off the bars soldered together using either a damp sponge or running under water. Acid flux may contain zinc chloride or ammonium chloride, both of which are harmful to humans. More than you really wanted to know, to be sure.

At Ernie's insistence though, when we got to my place I rinsed the cage very well in the basement tub and allowed it to drip dry. I wanted the cage for myself and preferred not to paint or use it, but rather, lacquer and "seal" the work, it looked that good! By spray-painting the entire cage black, I would not be able to show you the extreme detail of this finished "piece of art!" I'm sure you'll agree!

Breeding cage fronts? Ernie has them! Punch bar breeding cage fronts are his specialty! What size are you looking for? They are presently available in the usual standard sizes: 12"x12", 12"x16"and 12"x18". Here is one of his high-quality cage fronts for your inspection:

12"x16" Punch Bar Metal Breeding Cage Front

Ernie also has many other birdroom appliances including his very own, already famous, textured, durable "Twist Fit" perches!

Learn more by clicking on the image below:

Call or write Ernie for pricing on breeding and show cage metal fronts, drinkers, feeders, eggfood drawers, finger drawers, nests, nest pads, nesting material, show cages, show cage carrying case fittings, replacement show cage perches and other utensils.

For items seen on this page and any other special breeding room accessories or show cage needs, please contact this craftsman directly. Mr. Ernest Cobb and his wife currently reside in Calgary, Canada and can be reached at: erniecobb@shaw.ca or by calling him at: 403-279-0393.

Click on the craftsman below to e-mail your needs to Ernie now: