Good Salvage - Rescued Lumber 2

Fancy Schmancy Perch

The cedar shakes really make a lovely roof

When I selected a few bits of lumber recently, from a friend's garage, I knew there were birdhouses to be made. Two came together quickly.

Four faces - 9"H x 6.25"W - came from one fir slat. The sides - 5.5"H x 6"W - were cut from skid lumber, 1/2" thick. The first roof for each - 5"H x 7"W - was cut from plywood and the bases - 5 x 6 - were cut from scrap.

This one comes with one free birdhouse!

My only expenses - the wooden spoon perch (50 cents), nails and a few screws. Though I buy more lumber now than I rescue, I still get great pleasure from turning land fill material into a practical, functional birdhouse or other project.

Please link to Good Salvage - Rescued Lumber 1

Photos GH

Good Salvage - Rescued Lumber 1

A Quick and Easy Job

The two on the right are from select, rescued lumber

The phone rang last week and the following conversation began:

LP: My wife and I are moving in the spring. I am cleaning lumber out of the garage and thought of you.

GH: I'll be over in five.

From LP's stash I selected odd bits of plywood, pine slats of various widths and a pile of cedar shakes. (About the shakes I was thinking.... roofing material for birdhouses.)

I did not select a ton of odds and sods, but likely enough for 10 - 12 rustic looking birdhouses.

Here is the first one - total cost to me $1.00 for the metal perch, and a few cents for nails and screws - with a cedar shake roof:

 Faces are from lovely rustic fir; the first roof is 1/4" plywood

Cedar shake roof atop the plywood 

 I buy bits and bobs for unique perches

Rescued lumber oft-times looks pretty rustic. Thumbs up, I say

One more will quickly follow.

Please link to another rescue... Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 3

Photos GH

White Pine is for Painting 7

Fini. Voila!

This one brightens up rustic surroundings

Inside this white pine birdhouse a family of chickadees would find ample floor space (approx. 30 sq. inches) for building a nest, raising a brood, or just hanging out after a long day at the office.

Outside, one finds bright colours and an eye-catching perch.

Hey, the sun came out. Lookin' good

I assembled five white pine painted models, three with sturdy stands (cedar block bases, metal poles). I will display some of them on Sunday at Gathering on The Green 2, 11 - 5 PM. Hope to see you there.

Please link to White Pine is for Painting 6

Photos GH

Bathouses Come in Pairs

From White Pine Barnboard

Two bathouses can be built in 2 - 3 hours or less

I can produce two good-sized bathouses from one pine board (barnboard - 1" x 12" x 8ft.), usually in one easy working afternoon. I supply the plans below so that interested viewers who own a table saw and chop saw can give them a try.

Bats are indeed making a comeback in Wortley Village

Some builders add a piece of window screen to the inside to help bats climb into the cavity, but I cut grooves at 3/4 inch intervals (with table saw) on the inside before assembling all the pieces. I suspect wee bats can clamber into the cavity without this assistance but it does provide another talking point when someone shows interest.

Please link to Bats Making a Comeback?

Photos GH

White Pine is for Painting 6

Last Steps on the Last Ones

This pair needs another thirty minute's worth of attention

Three of the white pine painted models ended up on sturdy metal poles and cedar stands, but the last two need just a few more items before they too are finished. The first coat of paint is already drying on roof ridges and roof edge trim, so these two should be completely ready for final photos late this PM or early tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

Please link to White Pine is for Painting 5

Photo GH

The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 11

Voila! Fini! (Now What?!)

Solid red cedar model with a shiny, sturdy perch

Though the cedar birdhouse production line was slowed on occasion - by painted models, cedar stands, Rietveld chairs, hockey, motorcycling, hop vines, lawn care, and a bunch of other stuff - the last three came off the line the other day, shiny brass perches included. I would have revealed these photos sooner but I went to Port Bruce with Pat, got caught up counting seagulls near the channel, and motorcycled to Port Burwell yesterday so I could feel t fresh breeze blow through what's left of my hair.

Yeh, life happens.... oft-times outside the workshop. Who knew?

The sides are 1/2" thick, attached to the sides of the face

Because I now attach the sides (cedar slats) in such a way that they are visible from the front and back (i.e., onto the sides of the face and back end), the base is larger - 5 by 6 - and provides more square footage for the interior nesting space. I say, smooth move, Einstein.

Another project, related to JR-style birdhouses, soon to follow.

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 10

Photos GH

The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 10

Slippery Drawer Pulls as Perches?

I buy perches by the dozen at Habitat for Humanity

Some birds will use a drawer pull as their perch, others will just grip the edge of the entry hole. I wonder if the birds that ignore the perch find a drawer pull - perfect for the human hand - too slippery to sit upon?

This set of three, red cedar houses will soon be joined - in a basement storage area - by the final set of cedar models with different drawer pulls as perches. The long production line is finally coming to an end.... for the time being.

 Red cedar fence slats and deck boards make a solid house

Why does the workshop smell so good? Lovely cedar slats

Some other project will surely follow.

: )

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 9

Photos GH

The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 9

Voila!

Premium western cedar slat birdhouses, among my favourites

Once I'd walked three white pine painted models (on stands and metal poles) to my storage area, I had room to spread out a bit inside the workshop. And I was finally able to finish off three western cedar models that had been waiting for attention for quite some time.

I added trim and perches, took a few pictures and walked them into storage as well. A good day's work, I say.

 I won't paint premium cedar roof slats

 This one comes with a free spatula!

 Free fork!

One roof slat can be removed to provide access for spring cleaning.

(Note the two screws on closest roof slat. )

Did I mention the free wooden spoon?

FYI - the body of the birdhouse is made up of eight cedar slats, each 6" wide, 2.5 inches tall and 0.5 inches thick. The 8 slats adhere to 4 corner posts (or a wooden skeleton) inside the body. The base is about 5" x 6" (30 sq. in. interior is a good size) and roof slats (8.5 x 2.75 x 0.5) are attached to 2 cedar triangles that are themselves affixed to the body. Not as complicated as it sounds.

FYI - Don't throw out yer wooden utensils. Call me : )

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 8 

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 6

The Big Show Off

Paint is dry, spoons are secure

Second coats are dry. Three birdhouse stands with metal poles stand at the ready. It's time to assemble completed models for the big reveal, for the "take 'em outside and show them off" part of the process.

 "About face!"

Looks like they are floating in air. At no extra charge : )

Besides being able to get them to 'float in air', it feels good to have something new all ready to go for my next birdhouse sale at GOTG2 (i.e., Gathering On The Green Part 2 - Sunday, August 28).

Please link to Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 5

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 5

Almost All Ready

Barely fits inside the workshop (approx. 7.5-ft. ceilings)

The white paint painted up nicely and the trim and perches are all set to be attached to five models. Three will be placed upon metal poles placed into sturdy cedar/pine stands. Two are completely ready already.

 Don't throw out yer wooden spoons. Call me.

 Let's see how this one looks outside in its future, natural environment

Much better!

"The Big Shoe" with all three stands coming up next!

Please link to Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 4

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 4

Three Sturdy Cedar Stands

 When I spot good poles on the curb, I grab them and run! : )

Rescued lengths of cedar (6" x 6" and 2 - 3 feet long) make sturdy birdhouse stands once the 3/4" metal poles (4 - 5 feet tall) are attached. Yes, the three white pine birdhouses require trim and perches, but by the end of this week I should be able to say 'voila' and 'fini'!

Matching platforms and collars for each birdhouse - easy kap-easy

More to follow.

Please link to Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 3

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 3

Three Select Stands in Progress

Things are looking up for these painted white pine models

I have three white pine birdhouses almost finished as 'stand-alones', and they will hopefully enjoy a long life atop sturdy cedar-block stands on someone's deck or in a back yard. I will prepare one more block of cedar today (w sanding, attaching barnboard stabilizers, inserting a metal pole) and paint second coats on the small platforms and collars that secure the house to the pole.

Easy work in front of a fan! I like it.

 'Sturdy Stand' number three will soon join the others

 Second coats needed on three colour-co-ordinated platforms and collars

This piece of cedar needs a good sanding

More to follow.

Please link to Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 2

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands 2

Have Metal Poles, Will Travel

 I've got another metal pole ready to go

Almost as tall as the bird feeder in background

Rescued cedar block + barnboard base + metal pole = sturdy birdhouse stand.

Once I build a support platform for a birdhouse (Which one? I'm not sure) I will display it outside the shop to see if any birds are curious. I don't know if I will get any takers this year.

Please link to Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands

Photos GH

Birdhouse Trim, Perches and Stands

Solid Cedar Blocks

A couple of rescued metal poles will now come in handy

I collected a few cedar blocks from a house reno a few years ago and have decided to use a couple as birdhouse stands. Pine barnboard will make a solid base and keep the block from falling over once I attach a metal pole and birdhouse platform.

More to follow.

Please link to Birdhouse Trim and Perches

Photo GH

Birdhouse Repair: Labatt Park Custom Model 7

The Cherry On Top

I heard the sharp crack of a bat and knew a hardball was on its way out of the park. Where it landed surprised many folks, even those who thought they'd seen it all.

The ball landed on a chimney well outside the park.

That was one well hit ball

Fini!

(Installation TBA)

Please link to Birdhouse Repair: Labatt Park Custom Model 6

Photos GH

Birdhouse Repair: Backyard Beauties 2

Filling the Wall

 Oh yeah, there is room for more!

Time for new shrubberies as well, eh?

I am in the process of restoring and relocating a few of my backyard birdhouses. After a significant 'tidy up' I will display them on a fence at the side of the house.

At least two more to follow.

Please link to Birdhouse Repair: Backyard Beauties 1

Photos GH