Hello again, So these last few weeks have been very productive with a holiday workshop focused on bridges, model making and bird box making. The bird box making was particularly pleasing with a finished bird box just in time for the holiday shutdown. The bird box pictures illustrate some of the process involved. There is a surprising amount of measuring, remeasuring, gluing, reinforcing and cutting involved. I was very pleased that this student showed the dedication and patience to complete this. I hope it brings many birds to nest in it. These are the tools and equipment you will need:
jigsaw (carefully guided by an adult)
Safety goggles
Glue gun
Drill with 30 mm drill bit (for the bird entrance hole)
Hack saw
Glue sticks about (15 sticks in all)
Hard board
Wooden square sticks 10 mm by 600 mm (about 12 in all)
Bench hook with 45 degree angle cutter
Cereal box card cut into 90 degree angle triangles (to reinforce the corners)
Curved wooden dowel for the apex of the roof
Steps for making a bird box.
Decide how big your bird box will be by creating a rectangular frame.
Create a wooden cuboid frame using the wooden square sticks and glue together using the glue gun.
To strengthen the structure, apply the 90 degree card pieces into the corners.
Next, measure out the hardboard against the side of the cuboid structure.
5. With the careful guidance of the teacher, use the jigsaw to cut out the measured panel.
6. Glue panel in places making sure it fits. Usually, it will fit perfectly in only one way as the rectangular side will not be a perfect shape.
7. Measure out the other panels and cut and glue in place.
8. Create the roof by cutting 45 degree angles into 4 square wooden sticks measuring carefully to make the roof the right length.
9. Measure out an apex wooden stick to create the width of your roof. It needs to be long enough to over hang the sides. Also, remember that the eaves are important for keeping the rain off.
10. Draw the position of your bird entrance hole.
11. Using the drill with the 30 mm drill bit, drill a hole in the box.
12.Using a 10 mm drill bit, drill a hole below the bird entrance hole
13.Whittle down a piece of square wooden stick to fit the hole and glue in place. The wood needs to be big enough for a small bird to stand on.
14.Take home and paint to your desired bird attracting colour.
