Weekend project - birdhouses

[Stephen Massman]

Here are some pictures of my weekend project. I was commissioned to make four functional birdhouses for wrens.

http://massmans.org/gallery/CasonBirdhouses

I roughly followed Dave Hout's article off DIY network.

Here is a link to the article.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dwtt/episode/0,2046,DIY_19143_35650,00.html

If interested you can search DIY's videos for "birdhouse" in the woodworking category video sections. BTW there is a wealth of turning videos and other woodworking videos in there.

[Tom Wilson66]

Stephan, Great looking birdhouses:). Would like to make some myself. What wood and finish did you use? Also, I have heard that the little perch below the opening is not a good idea, since it gives a place for predator birdsto perch and get to the eggs or young:eek:. Have you heard anything on this?

[Stephen Massman]

I used white oak for all the wood. I will be leaving two unfinished and two finished with spar varnish at the request of the buyer. I hadnt heard anything about a perch being a problem. In my research for the entry hole size, I went to a local bird lovers store and most of the houses had them.



Stephan, Great looking birdhouses:). Would like to make some myself. What wood and finish did you use? Also, I have heard that the little perch below the opening is not a good idea, since it gives a place for predator birdsto perch and get to the eggs or young:eek:. Have you heard anything on this?

[Ron Fleice]

Actually Tom is right, the perch is not necessary and does allow predators
access to the eggs or chicks. I have made a few of these out of cedar all with no perch and they all have tenants, I believe the perch is for appearance only but not a good idea
BTW very nice job on the birdhouses
Ron
I don't want to hijack your thread but here is a pic of the one
I turned, solid cedar

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y290/Ronluc/turnedbirdhouse006.jpg

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great looking birdhouses. Thanks for the site info. I am planning on building a few of them from cedar I have obtained.

[Stephen Massman]

I have a local hardwood dealer that had white oak at $2/bdft, and since it is naturally rot resistant also, I thought it was a good choice.