Just for Fun... #52: Not much going on... might as well build a birdhouse...

Cool renovation! The birds will be proud to come back to lodge at this spiffy place next time! It really came out nice!

Sheila :)

-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"

Mike,
Nice house!! You’re going to have to raise the rent after all those improvements!

Lew

-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Love it! I am keen on these types of projects. You did a good job. The use of the scroll saw instead of the band saw is remarkable. I do not have a band saw only a Makita scroll saw. I’ll try cutting thick wood with it sometime, just like you did. In a scroll saw article I read that other ways of holding the wood together is with double sided tape or glue gun (heat glue). The scraps will stay clean and may be usable still.

-- Ed "Real happiness is one that you share."

Mr Little … that is very well documented and well made too…

-- Drink twice... and don't bother to cut... @ larrysworkshop.wordpress.com For lovers of all things timber...

Now THAT is a birdhouse… recycled and all!
Nice work Mike.
Ellen

-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Thanks Everybody!!
Sheila: As you can see, I wasn’t completely idle, though it’s no excuse for not having done my homework for class…
Lew: As the landlord says to Don Vito, in Godfather II, “The rent st-ays the same!!”
Ed: I never tried two-sided tape, or hot glue, but others have had success with them… I’ve always attached stacked-wood cuts mechanically, with either screws or nails… That way, I’m certain that the stack isn’t going to shift or come loose, especially on thicker cuts… By all means, try some thick cutting on your Scroll Saw!! You’ll need a heavier blade (or two!) and be prepared to be patient, because it’s slow going…
Larry: I’m surprised you have time to read other folks’ blogs, as busy as you are!! I still say you have 36 hour days down under…
Ellen: It’s not the fanciest design, but it’s Bird-approved!! The old one had tenants in it continuously, for over 25 years!!

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Another fine birdhouse Mike. Nice job!

-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI

Mike you are very clever and the birds up your way are going to love setting up shop in this house. Nice job!

-- Lorna, Cape Cod

nice bird house….all dowel pins holding it together, if you used all gorilla glue
you might win that contest too!!!! I just started Sheila’s class, and I was amazed that
the office supply store still sells carbon paper….also tracing paper, great stuff for
mirror imaging. At work it’s all computers that does that stuff…At home it’s all
by hand….Can’t wait to see her all painted and ready for sparrows!!!!

-- Bob Kenosha Wi.

Mike,
I like the angled roof… like a Pagoda from Chinesse. Simple and realistic.

I love your scroll saw. Homemade but very effective. I like to make one…
Thanks for posting.

-- Bert

Thanks again my Friends!!
Lenny: I’ve been meaning to ask you, how did you like them Bruins this Year?! It was a fun ride wasn’t it? :)
Lorna: Thank You! I hope it’s a little cooler for you down on the Cape… Yesterday at work in the kitchen had to be one of the hottest days I’ve ever worked…
Bob K.: It’s held together with pegs, but no glue was used… not necessary… The “mirror-image” trick, I think I learned that in kindergarten when we made hearts for Valentines Day!! The old ways still work…
Bert: I can’t take credit, that scroll saw was store-bought, $110 in 1992… I’ve been very happy with it though and it’s worked like champ!!

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Mike,
I always enjoy the details and step-by-step photo’s when you post your projects. Nice job. I was wondering if your dad might of built the old birdhouse?

-- "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life" Solomon

No, Dad didn’t make these…
This and the other one I made were built by a friend of my parents… I don’t really know if Pete had designed them or not, sorry… He made and sold a lot of them though!! Started making them for his own yard, then neighbors wanted them… Next thing he knew, he was making them for garden centers in our area…
Those two, that I used as inspiration, were made about 25-30 years ago out of pine, and lasted pretty well I’d say…
The first one I did, I upgraded to Oak, and this one is Cherry… I’d be proud if they last nearly as long!!

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Thanks for the post. I really like the step by step detail , it really helps . Very nice job , have any of your local birds moved in ? Take care and happy woodworking.

Thanks Tim!
No Birds as yet,
But Hope springs eternal in the Springtime… :)

-- Mike in Concord, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.