J.R. Models and a Bathouse (2)

Green Roofs and a Black Bat

I think red cedar (rescued, Home Depot*) is an excellent and affordable choice for a JR-style birdhouse. Teak, aluminum plate and chromium screws (see original JR Davidson models online) are a bit out of my league. The perch is a solid drawer handle and the trim is century old red pine. Together, with a touch of green paint, my GH models will stand out well, on a fence post or side of a tree.

GH model is ready to be attached to a sturdy pole or tree trunk

 The bathouse, made from white pine barn board (new, from Home Depot), is another solid model and helps the bat population increase over the years. Old South in the Wortley Village area dropped in numbers a few years ago but are again - gradually  on the rise.

Batman - at your service!

*If I spot red cedar boards w damaged edges I ask for them.... at half price. Fits into the 'rescued' category, in my opinion.

Please link to J.R. Models and a Bathouse (1)

Photos 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

Basic Cedar and Barnboard 1

First, I Build a Pile

 "Seven sturdy birdhouses hide in this pile of fresh stock"

I built ten basic cedar birdhouses in March and recently noticed they are almost all gone. Time for more, I said yesterday. So, I assembled necessary lumber from stock on-hand, i.e., cedar fence boards and white pine barnboard (and a few leftovers for bases). Shortly thereafter I measured faces, sides, bases and roof slats and cut a pile of stock for seven newbies, or new BHs in this case.

"Just add water!" (A single 'hobbit house' needs some attention too)

Today I will drill entry holes, set up the sander and create dust for an hour. If it's a breezy day, all the better.

More to follow.

Please link to The First Batch of the Season (5)

Red Cedar Birdhouses 2

Sitting on the Fence

I used the best red cedar I have in the yard for this batch of six rich beauties.

I say, you can have one of these hanging on a fence or tree trunk in under five minutes. Materials required - two nails and a hammer.

Link to Rich Cedar Birdhouses 1

Photos GH

Rich Cedar Birdhouses 1

The Best* Basic BH $$ Can Buy

 "I sliced open or booked 5 inch-wide slates for the faces and sides"

There are a few things I really like about these basic birdhouses: The cedar is the best in town, the interior floor space is 5 by 6 or 30 sq. inches because the sides are attached to the outside edges of the front and back faces, the roof slats are really solid (a bit thicker than usual) and finally... they smell so doggone nice!

"Three BHs have pine roofs. The rest are 100% premium red cedar"

"The workshop now smells like a million bucks"

I'll add trim tomorrow and I think the final result will be rich.

*best cedar I have ever purchased, from Home Hardware in St. Marys. I bought six 2 by 10s (in.) by 16 ft., cut them in half and transported the end product - twelve 8-footers - home in my Civic. Birdhouses made from the first two boards paid for the load. Almost 0% wastage. Now I'm just having some fun!

Link to Basic Western Cedar Birdhouses 5

Photos GH

Custom Red Cedar 2

Red Red Cedar

"Metal bits make a fine, solid perch"

I put a push on yesterday, painted second coats on a solid red cedar birdhouse and assembled a sturdy barnboard platform and collar to accept a metal pole.

Up next - paint a 7 and 1/2 ft. metal pole.

More to follow.

Link to Custom Red Cedar

Photo by GH

Funky Birdhouses 4

Curved Roof and Trim

 "Time to turn thin strips of cedar into a curved roof"

I didn't think I'd ever say this because the curved roof is fussy business, but, now that I'm a bit more used to the process, I am going to make another batch of six of these babies. I like them. 

 "Thin strips (3/8th inch) of white pine will be painted asap"

 "Curved roofs need curved trim, of course"

"I will stand the boards on edge, cut them right down the centre"

Oh yeah. More to follow.

Link to Funky Birdhouse 3

Photos GH

Custom Red Cedar

Rough Side of Town

A month ago a young fellow saw a sturdy red cedar birdhouse while visiting my workshop and wanted one for himself. "With a red roof. I like the red roof on this other one," he said (and pointed at a small rustic model).

 "The one w teal roof caught his eye." (Rough side out. 30 square-inch base)

"A unique perch is on its way"

Recently I took a break from a few other busy projects and cut up the last of the red cedar slats for this custom birdhouse, then assembled the pieces, rough side out, into a handsome home for local songbirds.

And the paint job seems easy enough. Red cedar, red paint.

More to follow.

Link to Tiny Houses 3

Photos GH

Basic White Barnboard

Boxy and Durable

"White pine has a few good uses inside the workshop" 

I use white barnboard for bat houses, birdhouses and a few other projects, e.g., for the base and shelf inside a little free library. It is easy to cut and sand but tough to paint due to its texture.

"The only item painted is the golf-tee perch"

"Right side swings open - easy clean out door"

Recently I noticed I only have one basic white pine birdhouse left in stock so a few more are underway. Should have three done by the weekend. Easy kap-easy.

Link to Taller Barnboard BH 3

Photos GH

Taller Barnboard BH 3

Full-On Trim Day

 "Trim stretches out for miles : ) "

The process of cutting, sanding and arranging 'full-on trim' for five birdhouses is a fussy job. Patience, and sandpaper, come in very handy.

"When I say full on, I mean full on!

"Looks good on a smoke stack, but something is missing"

"Last steps - add a perch and then grab a broom for sweep up"

All five were finished well before suppertime Friday. And the following afternoon, almost before the dust settled, one was donated to a local charitable event. So, I have four left to help me cover the bills (e.g., new lumber) - and buy me a bit of gas for the motorcycle : ) .

Will the sun come out for a Sunday spin?

Link to Taller Barnboard BH 2

Photos GH

Taller Barnboard BH 1

From Large to Small, But Taller

 "The large library overwhelms two pine birdhouses"

I have been working on a few large projects lately: Two 'little free libraries', a mailbox plus stand, a custom four-plex birdhouse (BH). That being said, due to the need to now paint the above items, a bit of space has opened up inside the workshop. So, what to do?

"Easy does it"

How about a few more basic barnboard BHs, but with a bit more height than the last batch? Perfect, I say. I have the 'gray-on-both-sides' barnboard on hand and I have room to operate.

"No paint needed on these basic models"

Five BHs, and inch or so taller than the last batch, are now underway. Because the pine projects are so easy to cut, sand and assemble the work feels like a refreshing change of pace.

Link to Basic Barnboard BH 4 (an inch shorter)

Photos GH  

Little Library Project 4

The Tall Boy (Book Barn)

"I make little libraries using pine barnboard from Fenelon Falls"

What started as a short but stocky pile of lumber at the end of an old church pew now stands pretty tall on my portable work bench. This style of 'Book Barn' (to be used as a book trading centre on a nearby front yard) is taller than one other style I make and once filled with used/carefully read books it will weigh about a million pounds.

So, I make them sturdy.

 A "stocky pile of lumber at the end of an old church pew"

"I applied cedar slats 'shiplap style' to make the roof"

shiplap style, def'n. - boards overlap in a particular way (Link to shiplap at Wikipedia)

Stay tuned. More to follow on this project.

Link to Little Library Project 3

Photos GH

Basic Barnboard BH 3

Funky Solid Perch

I limited trim on these basic models to two windows, a chimney, hydro pole (hydro needed for the big-screen TV) and a solid decorative perch.

Four 'basics' are lined up in a neat row inside the shop. And where is the fifth model, seen earlier?

More to follow.

Link to Basic Barnboard BH 2

Photos GH

Large Triplexes 3

A Different Tack

Though this triplex is also made from solid red cedar, it is a very different style compared to the last batch of six I completed recently. It can be attached to a fence, pole or tree easily and each of the three separate units can be cleaned out quickly by removing its bases - held in place w three screws.

Link to Large Triplexes 2

Photos GH

Funky Birdhouse 4

Good Day to Paint

[Roof slats are 9 in. long, most edges cut at 10 degrees]

The bird boxes are made of new white pine and stand about 9 inches tall and 6.5 inches wide. Sides are 6 inches deep, so the base is about 6 by 5, giving an interior floor space of about 30 sq. inches, a goodly size.

[Roof will be one shade of green, curved trim and chimney another]

I think these two models will be two-tone green. I'll leave the red paint alone this time.

More to follow.

Link to Funky Birdhouse 3

Photos GH