Birdfeeder Construction Advice

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:43 am

I'd like to duplicate this bird feeder - I understand how to make the lid and base but am wondering how to best make the curved sides:

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:53 am

Get comfortable with a hand plane and scrapers.

BuckeyeDennis · Post by **BuckeyeDennis** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:19 am

Here's a technique that you might use to cut the concave "cove" shape in the inside of the side pieces: http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/ ... -cove-jig/

As for the outside, I'm thinking that a pretty simple fixture could be used in conjunction with a bandsaw fence -- basically making it tilt-adjustable -- allowing you to saw the OD to rough "faceted" shape. Then maybe a belt sander to get rid of facets.

EDIT: Come to think of it, you shouldn't even need a special fixture -- just tilt the bandsaw table.

Or if you want to make several of the feeders, I suppose that you could also temporarily glue up several side pieces into a cylinder, turn it round on a lathe, and then cut the side pieces back apart.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:31 pm

terrydowning wrote:Get comfortable with a hand plane and scrapers.

Add draw knife to that 'list'.

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:39 pm

Since I tend to use the tools I have at hand, I would use my drum sander with 60 or 80 grit to concave the inside. Band saw and sander to create the outside. I'm sure there a faster ways, I remember reading in one of the table saw handbooks the idea of taking the blank diagonally across the table saw to create a cove. Sounds scary to me.
Have fun.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 12:46 pm

Doing the 'round over' to the square top on the lathe might get interesting!:eek:

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 1:28 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Doing the 'round over' to the square top on the lathe might get interesting!:eek:

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing...

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:03 pm

Use that band saw to cut it out.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:35 pm

beeg wrote:Use that band saw to cut it out.

Band saws make 'domes'? Those corners are rounded over.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Sat Jun 22, 2013 2:03 am

JPG40504 wrote:Band saws make 'domes'? Those corners are rounded over.

I could probably just sand the corners down since it's made out of redwood, which sands rather easily. Cutting those curved sides, however, seems like more of a challenge. I suppose I could go the easy route and just make the sides flat but I really like the look of it with the curved pieces...just a bit unsure the best and easiest way to achieve that look, especially if I wanted to make a handful of them for gifts.