How to build a Bird House with a license plate roof

Have an old automobile license plate lying around? Here's how to build a birdhouse with a license plate roof. Not only are you creating an interesting birdhouse but you'll be recycling an old license plate as well.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 - 1 inch X 5 - 1/2 inch X 28 inch board
• 1 old license plate
• Nails
• Wood glue
• 4 wood screws
• Wooden dowel rod 1/4 inch x 1 - 1/4 inches
• Circular saw
• Drill
• Drill bits
• Paint or stain

1. 
    
   Start with a 1 inch thick board cut into 2 pieces.

   Cut the 1 X 5-½ board into 2 pieces. Cut one 15 – inch long piece and one 13 inch long piece. Rip the 13 - inch piece 4 inches wide.

2. 
    
   The 5 pieces that will form the front, back, 2 sides, and bottom of the birdhouse.

   Cut the 15 - inch board into 2 pieces 7–½ inches long. Cut the 13 - inch board into 3 pieces so you have 2 pieces 4- ½ inches long and 1 piece 4 inches long.

3. 
    
   Front and back pieces with the gable cut.

   Cut one end of each of the 7–½ inch pieces on a 45 degree angle to form the gables for the front and back of the bird house.

4. 
    
   Ready for assembly.

   Mark the center of the license plate and bend the license plate to the shape of the gable ends.

5. 
    
   Assembled front, back, sides, and bottom.

   Assemble the front, back, sides and bottom of the birdhouse using the wood glue and nails.

6. 
    

   Measure up 4 inches from the bottom and drill a 1–1/8 inch hole in the front of the birdhouse for the ‘doorway'. Measure 1 inch down from the opening and drill a ¼ inch hole for the ¼ wooden dowel rod. Glue the wooden dowel rod in the ¼ inch hole to create a perch.

7. 
    
   Assembled and ready for paint or stain.

   Fasten the license plate ‘roof’ to the bird house using the 4 wood screws.

8. 
    
   Ready for occupants.

   Use paint or stain to finish the birdhouse in any color you like. You can add additional decoration to suit.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut is woodworking terminology for sawing a board across, also known as 'crosscut'.
• Rip is woodworking teminology for sawing a board lengthwise to reduce the width.
• Old license plates can be found at yard sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops.
• The roof is easily removable for cleaning out the house at the end of the season by taking out the 4 screws.
• Always wear safety goggles and use caution whenever working with power tools.
• Hang your completed birdhoue outdoors in a shady location because the metal roof will get too hot if hung where the sun shines on it.
• Measure, mark, and bend the license plate accurately or it will not properly fit on the birdhouse.

[tkdbbelt87]

on 5/7/2009 I never thought of this..great idea!

[sonni57]

on 4/3/2009 Good project I would have never thought of building a bird house with a license plate.

[Ladybugblue]

on 4/2/2009 Good article on building a birdhouse! 5*

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/29/2009 Great article. I can't wait to make this with my daughter! 5*

[labellefleur100]

on 3/27/2009 Wonderfully cute! This was too funny! We all need a laugh or two sometimes! 5*