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Building a bird feeder like the one
above is a
project that can be fun and practical. This
simple, but sturdy bird feeder has clear, plastic sides to
view feed levels and holds about six pounds of feed. It allows for gravity feeding, and
the
hinged roof allows for easy filling, and this feeder has plenty of room for
hungry birds. You can build this
bird feeder
practically for free with the materials laying around a
building site or your workshop;
I used some 3/4" exterior plywood and siding left over from
a building project plus a 7/16" doll rod. I did
purchase the 1/8" plastic sheeting and eye bolts!
Material List:
(2) 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 14 1/2" and (2)
3/4" x 2 1/4" x 12".
Plus (2) 3/4" x 6 3/4" x 8 5/8" for the base structure. Use pine if you wish to paint and/or seal and finish to
protect against weather or use cedar or treated wood.
(1) Piece of 1/4" exterior siding x
8 1/2" x 16" for the bottom panel; or cedar/treated wood.
(2) Pieces of 1/4" exterior siding x
5 3/4" x 17 1/2" for the roof; or cedar/treated wood.
(2) Pieces of 7/16" doll rod @ 16"
for the bird's standing rod.
(1) Piece of clear plastic; 18" x
12"
One pair of hinges, three "S" hooks,
two eye bolts with four washers and nuts, and a length of
chain @ 36".
(48) 1 5/8" and 1" deck
screws.
Step 1, Cut the Base Pieces -
Select 3/4" Stock; rip it to 2 1/4". Cut two pieces @
14 1/2" for the front/back base as shown above.
Select 3/4" Stock; rip it to 2 1/4".
Cut two pieces @ 12" as shown above for the left/right base.
Select 1/4" Siding for the bottom
panel; cut it to: 8 1/2" x 16".
Select the 7/16" doll rod and cut
two pieces to 16" for the bird's standing rod.
Select the two, 12" side pieces; on
each edge measure in 1 3/4" and mark a line; mark the
crossing point lines and drill a 7/16" hole on each of the
four edges.
Step 2, Assemble the Base -
Dry fit all the base pieces using the bottom panel as the
guide; all edges should fit on the bottom panel. Flip
it over and tack the bottom panel to all four base pieces;
use screws to secure bottom panel to all four sides; using
exterior glue, glue the rods in place.
Step 3, Produce Two End Panels-
Select 3/4" Stock; rip it to 6 3/4". Cut two pieces @
8 5/8" as shown above. Mark the center line and mark
the bottom measurement of 3 3/8" (1 11/16" each side of
center).
Select the two end pieces that have
been marked; set the chop saw to the "Crown Molding" setting
of 31 5/8 degrees and make the top cuts of both pieces as
shown above.
Select the two end
pieces that have been marked; set the chop saw to 15 degrees
and make the side cuts of both pieces as shown above.
Select the two end
pieces that have been cut to size; set the table saw to cut
half the depth, 3/8"; set the saw protractor angle to match
the side; measure in 1/2 inch and make the groove cuts of
both pieces as shown above.
Select the two end
pieces that have the grooves cut; measure up from the bottom
3/4" and mark a line; fill the four grooves to the line with
some exterior wood filler as shown above or fill them with a
sliver of wood and glue.
Step 4, Attach the End Pieces to
the Base- Select the base and the two end pieces; mark
the center of both pieces and attach them with two 1 5/8"
screws.
At this time, using a 1/8" drill
bit, drill about six drain holes in the bottom of the
feeder.
Step 5, Build and Attach the
Perch to the Base- Select 3/4" Stock; rip it to 4 1/2".
Cut one piece to 4 1/2" and a second piece to 2 1/2" as shown above.
Select the 4 1/2" square and drive a 2" deckscrew through
the middle; this will hold an ear of corn or piece of rine.
Attach/center the square to the base edge with two screws.
Select the 2 1/2" brace piece and attach it with two 1 5/8"
screws as shown above.
Step 6, Cut and Insert the
Plastic Sheets- Select 1/8" plastic stock; rip it to 6".
Cut two pieces to 14" (check your measurements); slide the
plastic into the grooves/position as shown above.
Step 7, Cut and Attach the Roof-
Select the exterior siding stock; rip it to 5 1/2".
Cut two pieces to 17 1/2". Select one roof side;
center it along the top edge and sides; attach this top half
with 1" screws as shown above.
Select the other roof half and two
hinges; position and attach the hinges as shown above.
Step 8, Attach the Eye Bolts and
Chain- Select two 3" threaded eye bolts, washers, nuts;
on the two side panels, measure 1" down from the peak and
centered, and drill a 1/4" hole in each. Attach the
eye bolts so they extend beyond the roof line, and connect
the chain with the "S" hooks as as shown above.
Use an exterior filler
to fill all the screw holes, sand your feeder, prime,
and paint or clear coat to suit. Now, you are ready to fill it,
stick an ear of corn on the perch, and watch the birds out
your window as they feed.
Hope This Makes Your Day! Try
the other free plans on this site
to build a treasure chest,
sawhorses,
arbors,
table saw extensions,
bookcases,
dollhouses, and more.
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