How to Make a Simple Bird Feeder with a Table Saw

A favorite pastime in the cold wintry months can be watching colorful birds gathering outside your window at a bird feeder. The steps that follow show you how you can make a simple homemade bird feeder using a table saw.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cedar or redwood boards
• clear acrylic plastic panels
• 2 hinges
• Deck screws and nails
• Metal eyelet
• Rope
• Table saw
• Hand tools and drill
• Bird seed

1. End Panels

   Cut out end panels shaped as shown, 3.5 inches wide at the base, 7.5 inches tall, and 5 inches wide. The angle at the top should be 90 degrees.

2. Grooves in Side Panels

   Rip grooves in the sides of the end panels 1/2 inch from their edges and 1/4 inch deep. Using a carbide tipped blade in the table saw should yield grooves wide enough to accommodate the clear acrylic plastic panels.

3. Wooden Slats.

   Cut out rectangular shaped pieces for the roof, 4.5 by 9 inches and 5.5 by 9 inches. Cut out the base, 5.5 by 9 inches. Rip some strips of wood, 1/4 by 1-1/4 inches to attach to the edges of the base. These slats will hold a layer of birdseed on the base of the feeder.

4. Center Bar

   Cut out a piece of wood 1.5 by 1.5 inches by 5 inches long. This will be attached to the base between the clear panels, and meter the flow of the birdseed.

5. Acrylic Panels

   Assemble all of the major wood pieces, except for the roof, with deck screws. Attach the thinner slats around the base with small nails. Measure and cut the acrylic plastic pieces, and slide them into the two grooves.

6. Hinges

   Position the roof pieces and attach the hinges. Fasten the larger roof panel to the feeder with deck screws, checking to see that the smaller panel will open and close freely on its hinges, to fill the feeder with birdseed. Attach the metal eyelet to the top of the stationary roof panel.

7. Completed Bird Feeder

   Hang the bird feeder in a tree so that it is visible from a window. Fill the feeder with birdseed. The birds should find it in a few days, and your viewing pleasure can begin.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill small starter holes before fastening with the deck screws

• Use a scrap of treated deck wood for the base for extra strength.

• A birdseed mix with small sunflower seeds will attract Cardinals and other colorful birds.

• Clean the feeder periodically while wearing latex gloves.