RogerGarrett
Member
A number of folks have asked, so here you go:
Select the woods - contrasting are best. Cut a block and a flat block that is slightly bigger in diameter than the body blck. Use scrap from the same woods for finials.
Glue the block and flatter piece toghter. These will become the main body and the roof.
Drill the holes much as you would a pen blank - using 7 mm drill bit and tubes glued in. Mount the blanks on the mandrel and turn to cylinder.
turn the shapes you want. Be careful to keep in mind final fit for the finials on both top and bottom.
Set up the lathe with a chuck (Nova is what I use) and clamp the smaller scrap for the bottom finial in place. Turn the tenon first matching the size with the inside dimensions of the brass tube. Then, keeping in mind the mating surface on the main body, turn the shape you want.
Sand, part and glue the bottom finial into the bottom of the birdhouse. I then repeat the process with the top finial - dry fitting it often to check the slope/fit of the finial to the roof slope/angle.
Drill the hole in the top of the finial for the chosen eyehook and glue them in. I use the following for eyehooks - they are inexpensive and easy to find at Hobby Lobby or any jewelry supply store or hobby shop.
Using 1/4 and 3/8 forstner bits, I drill the holes for the dowel (offset) and the simulated doors.
Spay lacquer using a compressor/spray gun - or aerosol if you don't have the former - hang the ornaments and allow to dry. After drying, sponge sand, glue in the dowel, and put on a second coat of lacuqer.
Hot glue the miature birds (available at CSUSA, Hobby Lobby, and many local crafts stores) onto the dowel, and you are done.
Here are some other shapes that seem to work well. I've also found that woods that contrast, such as spalted maple, holly, and buckeye work well for the roof and finials, and woods such as cocobolo, walnut, figured cherry, myrtlewood, burled white oak, rosewood, and other more exotic woods, seem to work well for the body. Round or oblong shapes that have longer bottom finials seem to be favored over shorter finials. These all sell for $17-20 each - and I sell out quickly.
Have fun!
Best,
Roger Garrett
Select the woods - contrasting are best. Cut a block and a flat block that is slightly bigger in diameter than the body blck. Use scrap from the same woods for finials.
Glue the block and flatter piece toghter. These will become the main body and the roof.
Drill the holes much as you would a pen blank - using 7 mm drill bit and tubes glued in. Mount the blanks on the mandrel and turn to cylinder.
turn the shapes you want. Be careful to keep in mind final fit for the finials on both top and bottom.
Set up the lathe with a chuck (Nova is what I use) and clamp the smaller scrap for the bottom finial in place. Turn the tenon first matching the size with the inside dimensions of the brass tube. Then, keeping in mind the mating surface on the main body, turn the shape you want.
Sand, part and glue the bottom finial into the bottom of the birdhouse. I then repeat the process with the top finial - dry fitting it often to check the slope/fit of the finial to the roof slope/angle.
Drill the hole in the top of the finial for the chosen eyehook and glue them in. I use the following for eyehooks - they are inexpensive and easy to find at Hobby Lobby or any jewelry supply store or hobby shop.
Using 1/4 and 3/8 forstner bits, I drill the holes for the dowel (offset) and the simulated doors.
Spay lacquer using a compressor/spray gun - or aerosol if you don't have the former - hang the ornaments and allow to dry. After drying, sponge sand, glue in the dowel, and put on a second coat of lacuqer.
Hot glue the miature birds (available at CSUSA, Hobby Lobby, and many local crafts stores) onto the dowel, and you are done.
Here are some other shapes that seem to work well. I've also found that woods that contrast, such as spalted maple, holly, and buckeye work well for the roof and finials, and woods such as cocobolo, walnut, figured cherry, myrtlewood, burled white oak, rosewood, and other more exotic woods, seem to work well for the body. Round or oblong shapes that have longer bottom finials seem to be favored over shorter finials. These all sell for $17-20 each - and I sell out quickly.
Have fun!
Best,
Roger Garrett
