Hello,
Here is a preview of the next Project of the Month (for MARCH 2011), called the Hunter's Cabin Birdhouse. Spring is just around the corner, and here is a ‘just-in-time’ project for your backyard feathered friends nesting season! The Hunter’s Cabin Birdhouse features a log cabin style complete with a gently curved 'shingled' roof, plus a simple nail-hinged side panel for easy cleaning. The crooked wooden stovepipe chimney is an optional item you can create from scrap dowels to add an additional touch of charm to this rustic cabin birdhouse.
The project requires no special bits and uses just the two standard bits that came with your machine. The overall finished dimensions of the assembled Hunter’s Cabin Birdhouse project are about 7" wide x 9" tall x 10" long.
Main items you will need:
1) The Project Files (included):
• Cabin_Birdhouse_Panels.mpc
• Shingled_Roof.mpc
2) Boards with the following dimensions:
Birdhouse Panels: 0.75" x 9.25" x 34.5"
Shingled Roof: 0.75" x 11" x 20"
Bottom: approx. 5.5" x 5.5" (not an MPC)
(NOTE: Do not use boards that are smaller than specified above, or if you are using a sled, you can subtract 7" from the length of the board and have the sled provide the extra 7" required)
3) 1¼" 3d finish nails, one 1" #6 brass screw, scrap lengths of 1¼", 5/8", and 1/8" diameter wooden dowels, four popsicle sticks
4) Wood glue, sandpaper, wood putty, stain and/or paint and clear finish, table saw to cut roof miter joint, drill and bits, belt sander to form stovepipe cone
5) A Dremel-type rotary tool with assorted sanding wheels and bits to sand small details and speed up preparation for finishing.
Here’s what I used on my “Hunter's Cabin Birdhouse” project made from Select Pine:
• Minwax Express Color water-based Emerald (tube) on roof
• Minwax Vermont Maple water-based stain (can) on cabin
• Minwax Dark Walnut #2716 on “stovepipe”
• Several coats of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic spray
NOTE: Apply stain/paint and clearcoat of your choice to the exterior only. Avoid applying any finishing materials on the inside. This is according to information I found regarding birdhouse building. Apparently, most finishes are toxic to birds. It might be alright to use a “food-safe” clear finish on the interior. However, I did not try that myself and I left the inside completely unfinished.