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Bird Feeder #1 in use
Keep your feathered friends happy all year long with these awesome bird feeders.

Build a Bird Feeder
Skill Level: Intermediate
 
 
Here's a set of plans for a pair of bird feeders that can be made from the scraps left over from other jobs. Whether you're feeding birds for the winter or attracting them to your yard in the spring, these feeders are a great way to recycle your shop scraps. This also makes a great project to share with a child. You can use the project to teach a child some basic woodworking skills with an emphasis on shop and tool safety.
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Tools & Materials - Bird Feeder #1
Steps For Making Bird Feeder #1
Tools & Materials - Bird Feeder #2
Steps For Making Bird Feeder #2
Steps For Adding Optional Base With Roosts to #2
Tools & Materials - Bird Feeder #1
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Tools

Materials

  • 1 x 2 boards rated for outdoor use
    12 1/2" (1)
    8 1/4" (2)
    8" (2)
  • 3" PVC drain pipe
    11" long
    140° segment
  • 5/16" dowel
    12 1/2" long (4)
  • 1/4" thick oriented strand board or weatherproof plywood, 9" x 14"
  • 1" screws (3)
  • 1/2" screweyes (2)
  • 1 1/2" brads (4)
  • Wood glue
  • 3/8" rope (3')

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Steps For Making Bird Feeder #1
  Bird feeder #1 - exploded.
  Click here to see a larger, exploded view of bird feeder #1.
   
  Bird feeder #1 - side view.
  Your final bird feeder should look like this from one end. The pipe is hidden from view.
  1. Cut PVC pipe to length. Use the jigsaw to cut a 140° segment. File and sand.

  2. Saw roof to 9" x 14".

  3. Saw 1 x 2 pieces to shapes and sizes shown.

  4. Drill pilot holes for brads, screweyes and screws. Countersink screw holes.

  5. With the base pieces clamped together, drill holes for dowels.

  6. Glue 1 x 2 strut under roof and attach with 3 screws.

  7. Glue 1 x 2 side pieces to base pieces and attach with brads and clamps until dry.

  8. Attach tops of 1 x 2 side pieces to roof and ends of roof strut with glue and brads.

  9. Install screweyes.

  10. Cut dowels to length to match assembly and install in holes in base pieces.

  11. Paint roof, if desired.

  12. Place pipe segment between central dowels.

  13. Tie rope to screweyes for hanging.
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Tools & Materials - Bird Feeder #2
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Tools

Materials

  • Treated 1 x 2 board
    6" long (2)
  • 3" PVC drain pipe
    10" long
    140° and 65° segments
  • 1" screws (2)
  • 1/2" screweyes (2)
  • 3/8" rope (3')

For optional base and roosts:

  • Treated 1 x 2 board
    6" long (2)
  • 5/16" dowel
    11 1/2" long (2)
  • 1 1/2" brads (4)
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Steps For Making Bird Feeder #2
  Bird feeder #2 in use.
  Bird feeder #2 can be used as a hanging feeder or you can add the optional base and roosts and stand it where you want.
  Bird feeder #2 - exploded.
  Click here to see a larger, exploded view of bird feeder #2.
  1. Cut 3" diameter PVC pipe to 10" length. Jigsaw segments for the roof and the tray (140° for roof, 65° for feed tray).

  2. Cut 1 x 2 end pieces and shape ends to match pipe inside diameter.

  3. Drill pilot holes in pipe segments and 1 x 2s for screweyes and screws. Countersink screws.

  4. Connect pipe segments to 1 x 2s as shown.

  5. Knot rope through screweyes for hanging.

  6. Paint roof, if desired.
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Steps For Adding Optional Base With Roosts to #2
  Bird feeder #2 - side view.
  Bird feeder #2 should look like this from one end. The pipe and screws are hidden from view.
  1. Cut and shape 1 x 2 base pieces (2).

  2. Drill holes for dowel-roosts and pilot holes for brads.

  3. Attach to end pieces with waterproof glue and brads.

  4. Cut dowels to length to suit and install in holes.

Hang or set the feeders in a chosen spot and the birds will soon find them. Place a handful of birdseed and bread crumbs in the feeding tray each day.
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