Stokes Select 18-Inch Multi-Position Metal Wall Bracket with Mount for Bird Feeders

This is a review of two similar products intended for hanging bird feeders or potted plants, the Stokes Select 18" Multi-position Metal Wall Bracket (cost $8.88 on Amazon) and the Woodlink Multi-position Wall Bracket WL 13107, which costs $22.27 at the time of this review. I ordered both because I could not find enough information from questions and online reviews to compare them, aside from the obvious difference in the end hook design. Both could have been made in the same factory. Both have nearly identical mounting brackets with screw holes in identical places. The metal gauge (thickness) of both is the same and both have the same thickness of metal rod. Stokes is powdercoat painted black and Woodlink is more heavily powdercoat painted in garden green.The main differences are illustrated by the photos below. Many reviewers of the Woodlink mention that the rod going into the bracket is too short which allows the rod and bracket to accidentally disengage when changing the rod position in the 5-position bracket. This criticism is valid. The Woodlink rod is too short within the bracket and lacks any mechanism to prevent accidental disengagement. On the other hand, the Stokes model has a longer rod and also has a clever detent (a "stop") formed into the rod which effectively solves the accidental disengagement problem. You can see the pinched metal stop and the slot it goes through in the comparison photos. The Stokes model is the obvious winner in rod and bracket design.The upward angle of the Stokes rod is higher than the Woodlink rod angle which would result in the birdfeeder or hanging plant being about 1-1/2" closer to the wall on the Stokes model. The lower angle of the Woodlink would give it longer extension. The comparison photos show this rod angle difference against a floor tile grid. The rod lengths are the same, aside from the angle.The rod end hooks design is aesthetically a matter of preference. I think the Woodlink design is more secure against hazards like raccoons detaching my birdfeeder, but my wife preferred the simplicity of the Stokes design. The open top Stokes design would be easier in use if you detach the birdfeeder or hanging plant regularly. My raccoon hazard concerns could be resolved with a wire tie, so we felt that Stokes had better end hook design.Specifically, the unnecessarily short rod and lack of a mechanism to prevent accidental rod detachment from the bracket was the deal breaker for the Woodlink model, also that it costs nearly three times as much for an inferior design. The powdercoat paint was also thicker than needed on the Woodlink model, which caused the rod to stick and show wear at the bracket, and mine arrived chipped in a few places. The Stokes model is better designed and has a nicer look and feel overall.

This was shipped the day after ordering, so I was very pleased. From wall bracket to where the item would hang is 17 inches. Bracket has 4 holes, and package included vinyl cap for end of rod. You will need to mount bracket with rod inserted, so pre-drilling of holes is a must. If you mount bracket without rod attached, you will be removing it, because the rod can't be inserted after the fact. There are five 180 degree angle positions that will lock the rod in place. The rod and bracket are very sturdy. The rod sits at an upwards 45 degree angle. Criticisms: the strange bracket design and screws. The lock projection would be perfect it it were on the other side, not facing the wall, so the bracket can be mounted separately without the rod having to be in place, and so that the rod can be removed later without first removing the bracket. Also, the screws should be black, not silver, same as bracket.

Nice heavy gauge wrought Iron hanger. Instructions are good as long as you read them and look at the pictures they provided. It has a cap that goes over the bottom of the rod securing it so it doesn't slip out. I put some glue in the cap to make sure it doesn't come off. You put the cap on after you assemble the unit, drill pilot holes, screw it in at the height you want it. Make sure the wood you are screwing them into is in good shape.It is the perfect hook for my Squirrel Buster bird feeder. WIth the 5 positions I can turn it in toward me so I can take the feeder off. i would imagine that if they made larger holes in the plate and you used thicker long screws, it would hold more weight.Happy I found this one as it is excellent.

I have bought 4 of these to go on my bird feeder post along with 4 other hangers. I like these because they can be position away from the other feeder hangers. They are solid and I think will last a long time.

We were able to finally get our Stokes 18 inch metal wall bracket. We are using for hanging hummingbird feedes and suet cages outside our bedroom windows. Within and 5 minute period after installation was completed, the hummingbirds were feeding. It took a day before the birds found the suet. Everyone seems very happy.

I used it to hang a very large bird feeder

While I love this bird feeder holder, it's hard to install. You cant install the bracket without the arm already in the bracket. It makes it off-balance and slightly awkward/heavy when trying to hang.

I was honestly expecting this to be yet another product made from crappy, easily bent metal. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. This is made very sturdy, and should last for quite a long time. I had gotten it to use in my bird aviary, to mount to a support board and use as a toy hanger. Luckily, because it's so well made, I can safely use it for my bigger birds as well, without worrying about it being pulled off or bent.