Mini birdhouse - TBC

[Dale Allen]

OK, here is the miniature birdhouse that was all turned between centers.
I use a center drill bit on the ends of the wood parts. That is the only way I can get them to spin. The small brass screw eye was not made by me!:biggrin: The whole thing is 5" tall and 2" wide.
The center section is a 1.5" square 2" long. The roof was cut from a scrap piece of cherry. Cut on the bandsaw and mounted between centers. I drilled one side with the center drill and put that against the headstock center. Then I pressed the live center into the other side, adjusting until I got it running fairly straight. Since it was being turned down it did not have to be exact. The finials were extra pieces from stuff I never throw away. The mating parts are turned with a nib left that will get sized to fit into the hole in the corresponding piece. This keeps then centered.
I drill the 2 holes in the body while it is on the lathe because it is easier than holding it while drilling. I noticed that Dale Nish offsets the perch hole so I did too, I don't know why!
Got questions...fire away!

 

[lyonsacc]

Any tips on drilling the 2 holes? I made one of these last year. Got it finished. Went to drill the holes and the bit wiggle wobbled enough to mess up the finish. I had it in a vice and on a good drill press. My guess is I should make a small tap hole or something to help the bit get started. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[RKB]

Thank you Dale for taking the time to do an excellent presentation of your techniques. Going to give them a go
Rod

 

[scotian12]

Great tutorial in a small space. Thanks for sharing. Darrell

 

[wood-of-1kind]

Any tips on drilling the 2 holes? I made one of these last year. Got it finished. Went to drill the holes and the bit wiggle wobbled enough to mess up the finish. I had it in a vice and on a good drill press. My guess is I should make a small tap hole or something to help the bit get started. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

Drill your "holes" before you start to turn round. Easier to drill on a "square".

 

[walshjp17]

This is a really nice tutorial for those not having access to a scroll chuck. The only drawback is that the main body is not hollow thus weighing a tad more than the traditional chuck-based birdhouse process.

Nonetheless, great job and fabulous pix and annotations. Thanks for posting.

 

[Dale Allen]

So here's a hollow one, also turned between centers.
I don't see what the big deal is!:biggrin:
You will need to drill it out with a drill press, or other method.

 

[Dale Allen]

Well, I wasn't sure how it would turn having already drilled the holes in the side.
But, it worked out OK. Reshaped that hollow one a little bit.