Louie, make a tripod feeder. A 30, or 55 gallon drum, or even a 30 gallon metal garbage can works well, and will last for many years. Make your own leg brackets, or Wal Mart sells them for about 20.00. For the legs, top rail fencing pipe works good, the legs should be 8' each. As for the timer, the cheapest, and best that I have found is the On Time Fat Boy2. Sutherlands has been selling them for 36.00, good luck!