Helpful but a hassle for me. Written instructions aren't for everyone, I know, but the link I gave shows the concept in illustration- all you do is substitute the mylar with aluminum flashing and start a foot above the ground instead of at ground level. In another thread on this subject a month ago, someone provided a photo of a baffle system she constructed loosely based on my plan. She didn't have 4' of branch free trunk from ground level so put a cone on the top of it. It limited the area where squirrels could jump up enough so it worked. She now enjoys watching the squirrels struggle and fail to hop aboard. If my wife is in the mood and has time Sat. I'll have her take a photo and post it. Not my line.

littleblu87 - is it one of the droll yankees whippers like listed here squirrel proof bird feeders that you have? Those are only meant for places where a squirrel can't get at it from above, like a balcony where it's hung from the ceiling. I put one of these up for an elderly lady who lived in an apartment and it worked great for that, but it's not going to work in a tree unless you use a dome baffle on top, but these can get pricey. In my opinion your money is better spent on a pole system like holly-04 said - the WBU system is very good. I also have one of these - two actually - with stovepipe baffles and it works perfectly. Again, like holly-04 stated, they have different parts to mix and match to build one to suit your needs. They do cost a bit at first but one of mine is their original system and maybe 15 years old. It's in fine shape. I've never needed to replace anything on it.

When you say torpedo style baffle, is that like a stovepipe baffle? If so, how long is it, and how high is it mounted? I have a three foot section of stovepipe which is mounted directly under the feeder at about 4 1/2 feet. I have never had a squirrel get past that baffle, and many have tried. A four foot tall baffle works even better, but I'm too short to reach the feeder if I mount the feeder any higher. Your idea of cleaning it and waxing it is a good one. But just make sure it's mounted high enough that they can't jump over it, or jump enough to reach the top and grab on.

I managed to use a bowl type baffle on a pole (not a shepherd's hook). You just need to keep it high enough so that the squirrels can't jump up on it. I reinforce the center with some metal after I find squirrels trying to chew through the middle. For shepherd's hook, I have seen a metal cone that's opened on the side so you can insert it and wrap it around a pole. The problem is that they also need to be place high enough so that squirrels can't jump on it, so if your hook is short then it won't work. Another simple idea would be to use a upside down plastic bucket. You can probably cut out the side so you can insert it. The bucket would too wide for the squirrel to get their paws around. Paul