Building a Simple Yet Functional Birdfeeder

First let me start by saying that this is a simple how-to project.  You should have less than 2 hours invested in this birdfeeder.  The great thing about it is there is a good chance you have all the tools, and probably have the wood lying around somewhere.  For this article, I will be using pine, but like I said you feel free to use anything you have lying around.  I happen to have a ton of scrap pine and over the years I have built many bird houses out of it.  Pine is inexpensive and it will last for years.  So on we go to the list of what you'll need for your birdhouse:

Materials Needed:

1. 1 - 1" x 6" x 80" Long Board (or scrap that equals that)
2. 2 - Pieces plexiglass 6 1/2" x 10" (or you can use wood, but you can't visually see the bird seed level)
3. 1- Set of 2" Hinges
4. 12- Small Screws to Attach Plexiglass
5. 2- Dozen 1 1/2" Decking Screws

Tools Needed:

1. Table Saw
2. Jigsaw
3. Drill & Drill Bits

First and foremost, make sure you have all of your safety gear handy i.e....safety glasses & hearing protection.

1. Start by laying all of your wood out on a workbench so that you can size up what you have and where it will be needed.  Below is a cut list of everything you will need.  Once you're ready, make the following cuts:

Cut List:

• 2 - 1" x 6" x 14" Roof Panels
• 2 - 1" x 6" x 9" End Panels
• 1 - 1" x 6" x 10" Floor Panel
• 1 - 1" x 4 1/2" x 10" Base Panel
• 4 - 1" x 1 1/2" x 10" Side Pieces
• 2 - 6 1/2" x 10" Plexiglas Pieces
• 2 - 3/8" Dowel Rods 11 1/2" Long

2. Now, take your two end panelse and draw a center line all the way up the piece then measure down 1 1/2" on both sides and draw another line across.

3. Now use your jigsaw to cut your angles for the top and the sides.  Once you have cut your end panels, center them on your base piece and fasten them using 2 decking screws on each side. (Make sure to pre-drill the holes so you don't split the wood).  Also attach your side pieces at this time.

4. Now it's time to cut the roof angle so that the roof seals tightly to keep the weather out.  Start by taking one of the roof pieces and aligning it with the peak on the end panels then draw a straight line on the roof piece.  Now that you have yoru angle line fo rthe roof, go to your table saw, set your blade at the same angle and make the cuts.  Once you have cut both roof sections you can go ahead and attach one of them to your birdfeeder using 4 decking screws.  (Make sure to pre-drill the holes so you don't split the wood.)  Now take your other roof section and using your 2" hinges attach it to the mounted section of the roof.

5. Now you will drill a 3/8" hole all the way through each side piece that extends out past the feeder.  To do this measure in 3/4" and down 3/4" and drill your hole.  Once the hole is drilled, insert your 3/8" dowel rod on both sides of the feeder.  This dowel rod will act as a perch and will give the birds a place to land and eat from.

6. The next step is to mount the Plexiglas which will hold your seed in the feeder.  Using 6 screws on each side attach the Plexiglas making sure to leave a 1" space at the bottom so that the seed will have room to fall out into the trough.   Note: It is very important to pre-drill these holes, because the Plexiglas will crack if you do not. 

7. Congratulations!  You have just built a beautiful birdfeeder.  Your creativity can take over from here.  The feeder can be painted, stained, or left natural.  You can mount it to the top of a post using hardware found at your local home center or attach a hook to the top and hang it from a tree branch or shepherd's hook.  Then, just fill the feeder with bird seed and enjoy watching the thankful birds in your backyard!