How to Build a Hollow Log Birdhouse

If you have a lot of birds hanging around in your trees, you should make them a birdhouse. Birdhouses are relatively simple to make utilizing things you can find around your yard and in your tool box. One of the simplest birdhouses is a hollow-log birdhouse. Just locate a log, hollow it out and hang it up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cedar or birch log, 4 to 8 inches in girth
• Drill with paddle bit
• Wood chisel
• Galvanized nails
• Plywood or shingle
• Eye hook
• Twig
• Heavy-duty fishing line

1. Find a decent-sized cedar or birch log for the birdhouse. It doesn't have to be very long, but it does need a decent girth.

2. Use a drill with a paddle bit that is about 2/3 the width of the log to hollow it out. If you don't have a paddle bit, you can cut the log in half lengthwise, hollow it out and then glue it back together.

3. Chisel out the remaining wood in the hollow log using a wood chisel. Be careful not to break through to the other side of the log.

4. Drill an access hole in the front of the hollow log. It's easiest to use a medium size paddle bit to do this, but you can use a regular drill bit and just work it around the outside of the hole to enlarge it.

5. Make a roof and a floor with pieces of plywood or shingles. Secure them using galvanized nails. Drill a tiny hole in the front beneath the door to place a perch made with a twig or small stick.

6. Place an eye hook in the roof and hang the hollow-log birdhouse with heavy-duty fishing line.

[funkyone]

on 5/18/2009 Where do you get a 5" or so paddle drill to drill into the log?