ibox first project: birdhouse

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:44 pm

For ibox info see:

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12807

This will not be a how-to, just a few pictures.

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I'm doing this for my grandson who is interested in birdhouses. He will be 8 in a short while and I think this will be a good gift.

The problem I'm having is I have no idea what an 8 year old is capable of doing especially since he lives in DE and we don't get to see each other very often. My last 8 year old is 30 something now....

I think gluing the box joints is too much so I will do that. Perhaps I can pre -drill the holes for the bottom and he can mount that. Maybe have the roof and gable ends as a sub-assembly that can fitted the main house, (also pre-drilled). Pre-drill for a perch?

Send some cash for a brush and spar varnish?

Anyone with a fresh 8 year old care to comment?

Ed

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:30 pm

Does the 8 yr old have a reasonably competent parent?

If so, consultation with same would be appropriate.

An access hole for de birds would be nice.

I would definitely pre drill IIWM.

Bottom and top(roof with gable) assembly may be sufficient to provide him a sense of accomplishment.

My 10 yr old GS is not 'into' manual arts!(nor was his father):(

P.S. Good 'practice' project!

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:08 pm

Some breads of birds like a dowel for a perch others would never nest where there was one.
Something about predators using it. Most breads are picky about the dimensions of the inside
area and hole size. A bit of research will help attract the breed you desire.
A few small drainage holes in the floor is good not to big though.
My dad made birdhouses with slice of tree for the front with bark.. Nuthatches loved that.

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Fri Sep 20, 2013 11:43 am

Here is a good link for birdhouse dimensions and hole sizes.
http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Building_Bird_Houses.html#sthash.PTeAW66m.dpbs

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun May 04, 2014 7:18 pm

I'm finally ready to send this birdhouse off! Yea it never got finished last fall and even sat over winter, now it's May and a little late for the DE spring but still early enough for some action.

I was going to have more things for the grandson to do but with busy parents of three I decided to give them a break and do the sanding and finishing and limit the assemble to the bottom (4 screws), top (4 screws) and the perch (glue).

Spar varnish will need touch up/redo so the sanding and brushing will be have to be done at other times, for years to come if they decide to keep it that long.

The roof is attached with brass screws covered by wood plugs. The top then is attached to the body with 4 round head brass screws. The bottom will serve as access for clean out is attached with 4 round head screws.

The perch is turned and glued in place as a final step before hanging it up. I've added some vent holes at a slight angle to the back along with a small amount of venting under the eaves. The bottom has drainage hole as well as a small amount of vent space on two ends.

I'm also sending a set of screwdrivers (HF) and some insturctions for what is left to do on the project.

The next one I send will be more of a kit for him, perhaps out of cedar so he can do more of it himself. Got a plan already....

Final pictures from IL.

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Ed

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Sun May 04, 2014 8:49 pm

Fanciest joinery I've ever seen on a birdhouse! So I take it that you like the ibox jig!

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon May 05, 2014 1:32 pm

To be honest I've never seen a birdhouse with box joints but it was a fun project and I'm glad I did it.

This project was two fold, one to try out the box jig, and two some thing for the grandson, it did both.

I had made the joints a bit looser then I would normally so it would be easier to put together, as it turned out I did the assembly so the next test will be to make joints that are snug to see how that works.

Ed

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Thu May 08, 2014 12:37 pm

I like this birdhouse design so much that I might have a go at it myself.

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Thu May 08, 2014 10:43 pm

I need to research ways to keep snakes away from bird houses. Has become a big problem the last few years.

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Fri May 09, 2014 3:21 am

rcplaneguy wrote:I need to research ways to keep snakes away from bird houses. Has become a big problem the last few years.

This site has a few ideas.

I grew up with bird feeders all around now the only reason I don't put them out now is that I would just be feeding the cats around here.