I got a new Nasco Farm Catalog today. There's a neat new bander called the Tri-Band Bander. Like elastrators, it uses fixed size bands. However, these suckers (at least in the pictures) look really strong and nasty. The tool is supposed to be suitable for larger animals and it stretches the bands wider open than elastrators.

Price for the tool is about $38. By the way, on the online site ( http://www.enasco.com/ ), go to Farm & Ranch Supplies, then to Veterinary. There, for some reason, is an entry for Castration and one for Castrations. This tool is under the one with the "s".

I just ordered mine so don't know for sure, but this thing looks like fun!

Bill

This should provide you a direct link to the item:

http://www.enasco.com/prod/ProductDetai ... +%26+Ranch

I got my Tri-Band Bander today. It is made by the same folks who make the EZE banders. The band may be the same one as used in their second model EZE, but I do not have one for comparison. At any rate, the band is made from thick-walled latex tubing as are teir other bands. The lumen is larger than that of standard elastrator bands. The band is much stronger.

The tool stretches the band in a way similar to the newer model EZE. The opening is triangular. The unit is mechanically simpler than the EZE and a combination of plastic and metal. It is also much cheaper.

The band is a tight sucker. Left in place, I think it would do the job quite well. I would say it makes a fun toy as well as a real and practical device.

Bill