Someone just gave me a cedar log approximately 12 inches in diameter. I was thinking about turning some birdhouses since cedar is naturally resistant to the weather. Anybody know where to see pictures of turned birdhouses for inspiration? Any recommendations for finish?
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Turning Birdhouses
- Thread starter Jason Ledbetter
- Start date
Aren't you worried the birds will get too dizzy?
Dietrich
Dietrich
Jason,
The Craft Supplies catalog has several examples of turned birdhouse ornaments and you could scale your project from them. You would be best off to determine what kind of birds you want to attract so you can size the house and the opening for their preference.
The Craft Supplies catalog has several examples of turned birdhouse ornaments and you could scale your project from them. You would be best off to determine what kind of birds you want to attract so you can size the house and the opening for their preference.
Richard Baker
RIP
A 12" diameter cedar log would make a dandy nest box for wood ducks. Needs to be about 28" long, hollowed to about 1" wall thickness, etc. Had to take some time off turning to build one (from exterior siding material). I call it a "quacker box". Just a thought.
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Recommend looking at the birdbrain site http://www.audubon.org/ and searching for information. Two big gotchas are the tendency to make the house too big (why is it "retirement homes" have 2000 sq ft of floor space?) for a proper nest, and making the entry the wrong size or place so that cowbirds and cuckoos can hijack the brooding, or predators can get in. Then there's placement. I suppose the best approach would be to see what birds naturally nest in cedar cavities.
Believe me, you want gravity to help you clean the house every autumn. Make the bottom removeable, so you can let stuff fall, and give a quick swab with bleach to kill mites. It's one place you really don't want to put a hand - even gloved - into.
Believe me, you want gravity to help you clean the house every autumn. Make the bottom removeable, so you can let stuff fall, and give a quick swab with bleach to kill mites. It's one place you really don't want to put a hand - even gloved - into.
Excellent recomendations, Michael.