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by
Gary Walchuk
photography by Roger Yip
illustration by Len Churchill |
BIRDHOUSES - THREE OF A KIND |
| Birds
of a feather will flock to this handsome trio of houses |
For some reason, birdhouses are overlooked as worthwhile woodworking
projects and are supposedly only for novice beginners. But designing
a great birdhouse is harder than it looks. The design must enable
you to open it up for an annual cleaning—without yearly
maintenance, birdhouses plug up with nesting material and debris
and become vacant in a few seasons.
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BELOW TO ENLARGE |
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The Blue Wren
Start by making full-size 1/4"-thick hardboard templates
of the house front and the twin trim parts beneath the roof
peak. Trace an outline of the front onto 3/4"-thick pine
and drill a 1 1/4"-dia. entrance hole. Trace the house
back using the same template, but this time cut the bottom horizontally
instead of to the front round shape. Trace and cut the trim
from wood scraps using a handheld jigsaw or scrollsaw.
Making the Sides and Bottom
Trim the wood to 7" wide and cross cut the sides to length.
Bevel the top edge 67° and the bottom edge to 78°. The
overall length, measured along the inside surface, should be
8 3/16".
Cut the bottom from 6"-wide
stock, bevelling the left and right sides to 78° to match
the sloped sides. Cut the two roof sections next. Make two bevel
cuts 55° and 7" apart for the overall peak-to-eaves
length. Profile the front edge of each roof on both sections.
Don’t apply any glue to the back panel during assembly.
For the next step, attach the
sides to the front with weatherproof glue and counterbored #8
x 1 1/2" deck screws. The side front edges should extend
1/4" beyond the front. Fasten the bottom with counterbored
screws and glue.
Next, lay the back piece flat
on your bench and put the partially assembled house on top.
This helps register the sides so the roof lines up properly.
Secure these to the front and sides, but not to the back.
The Trim
Before installing the trim, chisel a flat mounting surface for
it to sit on. Fasten the trim with glue and finishing nails.
Now cut the mounting board, joining
it to the back of the house 3 3/4 " from the bottom.
Drill
a perch hole 5/16" dia. x 1/2" deep and about 1 1/4"
below the entrance hole. Apply some glue and tap in a 3"-long
dowel. Cover all screw holes with tapered wooden plugs, trimmed
flush for finishing. Sand the entire house and apply your favourite
outdoor wood finish to the outer surfaces only. One screw driven
through each side should hold the house to the back panel mounting
board assembly.
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The Bluebird
This is the simplest house of the three and a good starting
project for beginning woodworkers. Cut the front and back from
4"-wide stock. Form the gable peaks by trimming the top
ends to 60°. Then, cross cut the back bottom edge 9 3/4"
from the peak. Cut the curved bottom end on the house front
and drill a 1 1/4" hole, 3" below the peak.
Next, cut the sides, bevelling
the top edges to 60° before making the bottom. Attach the
sides to the front, then slip the bottom in place and secure
it. Before making the roof, cut out the trim and notch the corner
overhang so it sits flat.
Cut the roof parts from 8"-wide
stock, bevelling both ends to 60°. Shape the profile on
the edges of the roof, or leave as is. If you opt for the shaped
profile, remember to make a right and left version. Assemble
and finish the same way as The Blue Wren.
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PART 1 | PART 2 |
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