SIZE
10 x 8 x 6 in. (254 x 203 x 152 mm)
MATERIALS
Pine
Piece of leather or sheet rubber
CUTTING LIST
1 front
10 x 6 x .625 in. (254 x 152 x 16 mm)
1 back
10 x 6 x .625 in. (254 x 152 x 16 mm)
2 sides
7 x 5 x .625 in. (178 x 127 x 16 mm)
1 roof side
7.5 x 6 x .625 in. (190 x 152 x 16 mm)
1 roof side
7 x 6 x .625 in. (178 x 152 x 16 mm)
1 floor
8 x 5 x .625 in. (203 x 127 x 16 mm)
NOTE: All pieces can be cut from a single length, 50 x 6 x .625 in. (1270 x 152 x 16 mm).
A piece of floorboard would be suitable.
1: Begin by marking out the required pieces and saw to size. Mark each piece for its intended use so that there is no confusion later on.
2: Mark out the roof line on the front piece and cut away the waste wood to make the required 45° slope. Mark the position of the entrance hole on the front piece and drill it to the recommended diameter, which is 1 .125 in. (29 mm) for small birds such as tits and robins and 1.25 in. (32 mm) for larger birds such as sparrows. If you don’t have a drill of the right size, drill a series of small holes and enlarge them with a file. Smooth the edges of the finished hole.
3: Mark out the roof line on the back piece and cut away the waste wood to make the required 45° slope. Make a slotted hole in the back piece for hanging the finished box from a screw or nail.
4: Drill a couple of drainage holes in the floor piece of the box; about .25 in. (6 mm) in diameter is adequate.
5: Mark out and cut a 45° chamfer on the top edge of each side piece to follow the roof line.
6: Assemble the front, back and side pieces, without glue, and check that the side chamfers align correctly. Adjust as necessary.
7: Glue and nail the front, back, and side pieces together. Use a waterproof (outdoor) glue. Take care when nailing not to split the wood.
8: Put the floor piece into position. Note that there is an overhang to the front and sides. Glue and nail the floor into place, making sure that the structure remains square. Remove surplus glue and leave to dry.
9: Check the roof pieces for fit. Note how the longer piece overlaps the shorter. If all is well, glue and nail them into place.
10: Cover the roof joint with a strip of leather or sheet rubber. Attach this securely with large-headed nails or tacks.
11: If you want to be able to open the box for out of-season cleaning, only fix the shorter half of the roof permanently into position. Leave the other loose with the leather or rubber acting as a hinge.
12: Secure the hinged half of the roof with a simple catch. The detail illustration shows how to make this from two small fencing staples and a short piece of wire. Take care not to split the wood with the staples.
13: Perches beneath the entrance hole are not recommended, since they could encourage predators. However, you can fit one if you’d like, using a natural twig inserted into a drilled hole.
14: Treat the finished nest box with a suitable preservative, carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions and working in a well-ventilated area. Do this well in advance of hanging the box to allow the fumes to disperse. This also applies if you intend to paint the outside.
15: Place the box at least 6 ft. (2 m) above the ground and away from direct sunshine, preferably among trees or shrubs. Put the box out many weeks before the breeding season to allow birds to become accustomed to its presence in their territory.
Five-Board Bench
This type of bench was common across Europe and North America and was most often made in pine and then painted. It was a popular piece of furniture for use both indoors and out. Its attraction lies in the ready availability of the raw material, the fact that it requires little in the way of woodworking skills, and that only the simplest of tools are needed. The method of construction means that the bench can be made in an infinite variety of sizes and adapted to fulfill a number of functions. By increasing its height, the bench naturally turns into a small table that, in style, is particularly suited for use in the yard or out on the porch. The dimensions given here are for a generous-sized two-seater.
ABILITY LEVEL
Novice
SIZE
36 x 16.875 x 12 in. (914 x 428 x 305 mm)
MATERIALS
Pine or any hardwood
CUTTING LIST
1 top
36 x 12 x .875 in. (914 x 305 x 22 mm)
2 ends
16 x 10 x .875 in. (406 x 254 x 22 mm)
2 sides
30 x 4 x .875 in. (762 x 102 x 22 mm)
See Template chapter for patterns of legs.
Note: If the bench is to be used in the yard or on a porch, use waterproof glue when assembling the final pieces.
1: Select and prepare all the material using the dimensions given. If necessary, make up the 12 in. (305 mm) width by edge-joining narrower boards (see Tools & Techniques chapter).
2: Cut out the shapes of the two end pieces (see
