49+ Fine Woodworking Magazin ~ My Wood Blog

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Introduction: Build Your Own Simple Wooden Birdhouse Building a birdhouse is a rewarding DIY project, perfect for adding charm to your backyard and providing shelter for your feathered friends. This guide will walk you through creating a basic, functional birdhouse using readily available materials and simple tools. Let's get started!

Materials You'll Need:

Lumber: One six-foot long 1x6 board (pine or cedar are good choices)
Fasteners: Wood screws (1 1/4 inch) or nails
Wood Glue: Exterior grade
Sandpaper: Medium grit (120 grit) and fine grit (220 grit)
Finish (Optional): Exterior paint, stain, or sealant

Tools Required:

Saw: Hand saw, circular saw, or miter saw
Drill: With drill bits suitable for pilot holes and screw size
Screwdriver: Or drill with screwdriver bit
Measuring Tape
Pencil
Square
Clamps (Optional but helpful)

Step 1: Cut the Wood Pieces Using the measurements below, cut the following pieces from your 1x6 board. These dimensions are approximate and can be adjusted to your preference, but they provide a solid foundation for a simple birdhouse. Be precise with your cuts for a better final product.

Front: 6 inches wide x 8 inches tall
Back: 6 inches wide x 10 inches tall
Sides (2): 6 inches wide x 7 inches tall
Bottom: 6 inches wide x 6 inches deep
Roof (2): 7 inches wide x 9 inches long

Step 2: Drill Pilot Holes Before assembling, drill pilot holes through the pieces where you'll be driving screws or nails. This prevents the wood from splitting and makes assembly easier. Focus on drilling holes along the edges where pieces will join together.

Step 3: Assemble the Birdhouse Box Start by attaching the sides to the bottom piece. Apply wood glue to the edges of the bottom piece and then align the sides on top. Clamp the pieces together (if you have clamps) and drive screws or nails through the sides into the bottom. Next, attach the front and back pieces in the same manner, gluing the edges and securing with screws or nails. Ensure the back piece extends about 2 inches above the front piece.

Step 4: Attach the Roof Apply wood glue to the top edges of the front, back, and side pieces. Position the roof pieces, ensuring they overhang evenly on all sides. Secure with screws or nails. Because the back piece extends higher than the front, the roof pieces should slant downward slightly towards the front.

Step 5: Drill the Entrance Hole Using a drill bit appropriate for the size of bird you want to attract (1 1/2 inch diameter is a good general size), drill an entrance hole in the front piece. Position the hole about 2 inches down from the top. Consider adding a small perch below the hole (a small dowel rod glued in place).

Step 6: Sand the Edges Sand all the edges of the birdhouse with medium grit sandpaper to remove any splinters or rough spots. Then, use fine grit sandpaper for a smoother finish. Focus on the entrance hole to make it safe for birds.

Step 7: Add Drainage and Ventilation Drill a few small drainage holes in the bottom of the birdhouse to prevent water from accumulating. Also, drill a few small ventilation holes near the top of the sides to keep the birdhouse cool in the summer.

Step 8: Apply Finish (Optional) If you choose to finish your birdhouse, use exterior-grade paint, stain, or sealant. Avoid dark colors, as they can overheat the birdhouse. Lighter colors are generally better. Let the finish dry completely before placing the birdhouse outside.

Step 9: Mounting the Birdhouse Choose a suitable location for your birdhouse, away from predators and strong winds. Mount the birdhouse securely to a tree, post, or building using screws or nails through the back piece. Avoid using glues or tapes that could damage the tree.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your New Birdhouse! Congratulations! You have successfully built your own birdhouse. Now, sit back and enjoy watching the birds move in and make it their home. Remember to clean out the birdhouse each year after the nesting season is over to keep it a healthy and welcoming environment for your feathered friends.