To complete this BB, the minimum requirements are:
- build a simple beginner bird house
- a bird might want to live in it (maybe a really ugly and desperate bird)
- It won't kill the bird
- Made from wood, nails and/or screws - no glue
- 5" wide or greater
- Weather resistant design - for the bird and for the longevity of the house
To document your completion of the BB, provide photographic or video (<2 minutes long) of the following:
- Wood you're starting with
- Bird house under construction
- Bird house installed in its final location
Clarifications:
- A bit tung oil or linseed oil on the exterior is acceptable. Using rot resistant woods that don't need protection is about ten times better than using lessor wood treated with oil.
I wanted to use cedar but I couldn’t get hold of any. My
local Home Depot was flooded out and closed for a month. It’s now reopened but won’t be fully stocked for a while. I made enquires - apparently it’s the wrong time of year for cedar . . . So I used pine. To help with weather resistance, I used shingles I made in a
PEA Metal Work Badge Bit and hung it under eves to give it as much protection as possible.
I only used hand tools for this project.
Here’s the board I used and sketch of my ideas. It’s 1 x 6 so true dimensions are closer to 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches.
Here are the pieces I’m starting with labeled and ready for construction.
Boring the entry hole
Drilling and countersinking the screw holes
Chiselling the slots for the hinges
Hinges installed
Making a baffle from a piece of tulip wood
Finished bird box with roof from tin cans
Easily accessible for cleaning and secured with small bolt
Installed under eves