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How To Build A Wooden Bird House

Building a wooden bird house is a great way to share some quality time with your kids or grandchildren. Not only can you help them develop building skills and how to use tools, you can teach them all about the local bird life.

There are two types of birdhouses – the very functional and the very decorative. Your birds may not prefer the decorative styles as much but they look great in the yard. Then again the functional bird house may not stand out in the yard but the birds will love it. You’ll have to decide what type you want to build. Suggestion – why not build both?

This article is all about the fun decorative styles and remember you can combine functional and decorative with just a little bit of imagination even though the birds often prefer the weathered look.

Here are the basic tools you’ll need to complete your project as well as the materials.
1. Hand saw
2. Hammer
3. Coping Saw
4. Power Drill
5. Screwdriver
6. Tape Measure
7. Paintbrush
8. Paint
9. Square
10. Goggles and Mask

For material you will need:
1 piece of 2 inch by 4 inch x ½ inch exterior plywood
1 piece of 6 ½ inch x ¼ inch wood dowel
6 pieces of ¾ inch galvanized screws
1 inch galvanized brads
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Exterior Paint

This is an excellent project for parent and child but before you start you should sit down and talk to your child about safety. And remember that both of you should practice safe work practices by wearing your safety goggles at all time. Just one flying nail can take out an eye.

Now let’s get down to building:
1. Lay out the pieces for your birdhouse as per the plans you have. Use your square to get things properly lined up so there are no gaps between the wall and the floor.

Draw two rectangles - use the short sides as the top and bottom. Mark each on the vertical side 5 1/4" inches from the bottom. Mark the center of the top side of each rectangle. This is where the roof will peak. Connect the top mark with the marks on the sides.
2. For your first project use the sizes given but once you get the hang of it you can change the sizes to whatever you want. The way you build it will remain the same.
3. Cut to size
4. On the front drill a 1 ½ inch diameter hole for the entrance.
5. Pre-drill a 1/4 inch hole for the perch which you will add later.
6. Mount the floor rails to the inside.
7. Mark the horizontal center line of the floor rails and the center line from the bottom inside walls front and back.
8. Center the floor rails on the inside using your marks as the guide.
9. Use your glue and galvanized nails to attach all the pieces.
10. Attach the roof after the sides are together.
11. Turn the bird house over and attach the bottom using your screws.
12. Sand until it is nice and smooth and then paint.
13. Insert the dowel for the perch.

That’s it. Building a wooden bird house is really quite simple and will take very little time but it’s great quality time with the kids! Heck why not build a couple while you are at it?

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