Shopsmith Forums

Attached is a picture of my latest project, just hung out today. Actually I had made two similar ones earlier but my dear wife took them to her bowling league and sold them before I had time to take a picture. It is from the Winfield Collection and is one of two called Weird and Wackey birdhouses.

I made a couple of alterations to the plans to make it look better and be more functional should any birds decide to make it their home.

The plans call for the sides to be made with small 1/4" strips cut from a 3/4" board, and be attached to the front and back panels. I decided to make a rabbet on the inner edges of the front and back panels and attach the strips there so they would not show at the front. I then coated the sides with wood filler and sanded them so that they are smoother and each individual strip would not show. A coat of oil based primer, two coats of colour, followed by three coats of clear finish should provide adequate protection. My dear wife did the colour part.

I also left space at the top of each side under the eaves and drilled three holes in the back for ventilation. One top panel is attached with screws to allow for cleaning. None of this was called for in the plans so maybe it wasn't intended for use as an actual bird house.

Whether it is ever used or not, it adds colour to the yard and the missus is happy.

Have fun.

John

john wrote:the missus is happy.

Have fun.

John

That is BETTER than the birdhouse.

Great job ya did too.

Nifty house, John! Sounds and looks like you made good changes to the plans. Hope there are some wild and wacky birds who will love it.

Also am hoping your wife got good prices for the two she sold. Wow! if they went that fast, maybe they would be popular items for your next show.

Give the missus my congrats on the paint job.

Bob:

You got that RIGHT!

Chuck:

My wife is a better saleman than I am. The houses cost about $18, and about 4 hours + painting, to make and I thought they wouldn't sell because I would have to ask too much, ($27.50?) She sold them for $30 so I was happy. I'm not sure I would pay that much.

I'm told one of my daughters in Calgary wants one so my next challenge is to make one before we leave for a trip out that way on June 9th. With the nice weather returning and all the work that is required outdoors, and of course the hockey playoffs on tv, woodworking is not at the top of my list of priorities. But it might become one.

As to the shows, as usual I am behind the curve. These should have been done in quantity for spring. My next show will be in the fall. Maybe I can build some weird & wacky bird feeders for the winter season.

I will pass on your compliments.

Have fun.

John

John, fabulous bird house, I wish I could do as good.
Where did you find the plan ?

The plans are from The Winfield Collection. You can find them on them at http://www.thewinfieldcollection.com. Actually I made a mistake in the name in my post. They are called whimsical birdhouses on their site.

If I can make an additional comment on the plans, I find the the height of the entrance hole is too high in the house that I showed. I had planned to lower it by 3/4" but forgot when I drilled the hole.

John

john wrote:...the height of the entrance hole is too high in the house that I showed. I had planned to lower it by 3/4" but forgot when I drilled the hole.
John

Don't worry, the sparrows and starlings will be happy to use your birdhouse...

Nice job sir, my wife would also like one.....adding it to the list...

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