How to Make a Bird Box

Here Jim Edwards expertly offers us a step by step guide to building a bird box. Jim makes and sells various animal and bird boxes to help raise funds for the `Monday Group` - a volunteer organisation that maintains public rights of way throughout the countryside of East and West Sussex.
www.mondaygroup...
An Adliberate film www.adliberate.... for WoodlandsTV www.woodlands.c...

[@danwillis2671]

I enjoy building bird houses but the most rewarding thing is seeing them inhabited. Like you, my roof always over hangs the front and sides. I put vent holes in both sides protected by the overhang. I also add a donut on the outside of the access. I drill a 1 1/4 inch hole then use a 2 1/2 inch hole saw around that to create the wooden donut. That extends the depth of the access and keeps cats and raccoons from reaching in. I also only use red cedar as it is rot and parasite resistant. I currently have 23 bird houses on my property and get great enjoyment from watching the birds create their nests, bring food to their young, and finally, seeing those fledglings running around my yard trying to figure out what to do with those wings.

[@BeasleyStreet]

😴,sorry but your trumpet is sounding loudly 🤭

[@wood4me]

You Sir, are an artist. Simple and Delightful.

[@anoshya]

Thanks..very easy to follow..You have inspired me to make several boxes..I have a tiny farm in Ireland and from Spring onwards many birds arrive for food ...the Jackdaws nest in the old sheds and the swallows arrive from Africa in another shed...I like the bee sanctuary..tremendous ideas

[@darrelllogan1274]

AWESOME WORKS, JIM! I now have some "new" ideas. THANKS for sharing!

[@magicsupamoggie]

Thank you Jim you gave us lots of info in your vid. Lovely boxes. You made it look so easy.

[@jawediqbal9475]

My favorite work since childhood.

[@johnbrewer9833]

So much useful information about the construction of the boxes and the birds feeding habits. You have created a new interest for me. Thank you very much.

[@melissabarron1574]

Awesome loved your ideas. Loved the bat box! they are so important to have around for mosquitos, Thank you

[@haroldyeager6124]

Very informative. You have given us much information and ideas about bird houses and what types of housing different birds prefer. Thank you

[@1200ukmatt]

Nice film Jim, and well made bird houses. I particularly like the bee and lacewing house. Thanks for the information.

[@omarhaciyev6924]

Eyef

[@omarhaciyev6924]

⁵7ry

[@tadsam6667]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ,it's very helpful 👍🌷.

[@mimecraft4644]

Gave me a lot of tips on planning mine,well done!

[@chaddamp2894]

Thankyou so much for sharing your skill with us x

[@saharaqueen8636]

Wow that’s lovely Wish I could have a nest box like that

[@1habicher]

Wonderful Video, extra well presented! The birds will love You Sir! Up with the best!

[@BeasleyStreet]

The ultimate job.. Mixing business with pleasure 😁👍🤝

[@touchedbynature5445]

Beautiful work. Many thanks for sharing.

[@davidwilliams6553]

Great video, very informative. Thanks

[@teresacarter3844]

Great video thank you so much for sharing I love feeding the birds x

[@ironhorse19]

great video very informative many thanks for sharing

[@TheAudiostud]

Toward the end of your exceptional video, you show various bird boxes that you've constructed one being made from laminate, I have been told that laminated wood is not good as the chicks scratch & peck and the glue used to laminate the wood is poisonous, would appreciate your feedback

[@James-dh5qo]

Great work mate

[@migelmagoo5343]

Nice one. Big thumbs up.

[@lids65]

Thank you for this wonderful video 🙂

[@markbeames7852]

Brilliant. Thanks so very much!

[@fisherrich100]

Brilliant video sir

[@ShelljetA1]

Thank you for this information 😁

[@MackMateCom]

Good information how to video great bird boxes Jim thanks

[@lewisbailey1655]

Its very good Jim and I'll use the method.One bit of advice for you though, maybe wear safety glasses and earplugs. Better safe than sorry my friend

[@ianlees1480]

Very good instruction, but one important addition missing. On the inside of the front panel, fix twigs. It helps the young birds to reach the exit.

[@A2Z1Two3]

Very thick wood !

[@conjigalo]

In my opinion, this is the ideal project to be done by hand tools rather than power tools.

[@edwardcharles9764]

Note the amount of boxes behind him. He's making and selling them so it's not a purist "live in the woods" project, it's semi commercial. Power tools for labour saving it is! Not to mention he did say when using hand tools he's not that accurate. Personally I turn a blind eye to the tools, I'd rather see the boxes made of thicker wood!

[@conjigalo]

edward charles Hi Edward,thank you for the reply. "when using hand tools he's not that accurate" That is my point. When you start a project like a bird box, you can hone your skill and let the birds decide if it is good enough. I agree that he seems to be doing this so he can sell the boxes. I just think, for the beginner woodworker like me, projects like this would be best demonstrated by hand.

[@pershop4950]

to make angled cuts, the power tools are much more accurate. Usually what I end up doing is to look at many videos. The ones which can be done with the tools that I have, are the ones I end up following and doing. I think it's OK if some woodworkers use basic tools and some use power tools. There are many designs and ideas from all these videos. Additionally, we may not follow some design exactly but like you said, let's build the bird box out of the things we can, however we can, and let the bird decide to live there or not.

[@nickyork8901]

great video, thanks so much!

[@55418und]

No traction cuts on the front inside panel, so the birds can get out easy?

[@tigertruckerman]

Well done,nice video

[@kaki4846]

Muy interesante y muy buen trabajo.

[@criscavi19]

Lovely! thanks!

[@Ed19601]

Though I can buy birdboxes at the local thrift store for next to nothing, I always enjoyed making them from scrap wood

[@BeasleyStreet]

Absolutely 👍🤝

[@HappyVacationer]

My hearing is bad so could not under about the bee house. Does it work for Carpenter bees? I live in North Carolina mountains in USA in log home. Would love to make one of these to hang away from home to try to encourage them to leave house alone. Hate to make trap to kill. Enjoyed show!

[@3amnatural]

Nice i love birds

[@jimjaml]

Lovely, thank you.

[@rsullivan5083]

Any recommended cameras that can attach tp the tv?

[@SpanishGrandpa]

Hey

[@VestigialHead]

Been looking at a few of these birdhouse how to's. I have noticed that no-one seems to put a dowel sticking out below the entry hole to allow the bird a landing spot. Every birdhouse I used to see had this feature. Any reason it no longer seems to be done?

[@edwardbelograni1044]

Yeah, I also saw that Woody Hyezmar is giving free access to his woodworking book in his site. He also shows a different way to do this.

[@markhamilton915]

thanks for the vidieo im going to give this a try

[@onehot57]

What about ventilation?

[@tayeebhussain5014]

Can we make these with pallet wood ?

[@themaninthemoonmc7880]

Where do you buy the metal plates from? Can’t find them anywhere...Great little project.

[@johnbrewer9833]

Carefully cut the bottom out of a biscuit tin. Mark out a few panels on there. Fix it to a piece of scrap wood for safety. Centre punch and pilot drill the five holes. Open up the large centre hole preferably with a hole saw. Remove from the wood and deburr the holes. Cut the plates out and deburr them.

[@BeasleyStreet]

@@johnbrewer9833 oh that simple 🤭

[@williamnichols1688]

How much to you sale your blue birds houses for

[@charlielittle2688]

what are the inserts that you use for the bolts to screw into to

[@waynemongo]

Hi, Google 'wood screw insert nut'. Can find on eBay.

[@david94839]

Can you use pressure treated fencing boards to make the boxes? Thanks for the video 👍

[@darrelllogan1274]

Not recommended. I think if you could allow the wood to age outside and off-gas the toxic chemicals for a time, it would be ok. I have a couple I made before I learned this and I plan to apply my theory. I figure a year out in the elements should do it. Not gonna put them so can be inhabited, just exposed.

[@jamescox718]

Hi Jim Very nice work Two questions please If you don't nail what technique do you use for attaching the birdbox What do you call the DeWalt saw that you use as I cant find it on their site Thank you very much

[@cianhayes9035]

james cox you could screw it and it is an older model of the dewalt sliding compound mitre saw 👍👍

[@pawelwitkowski8147]

What metal was the plate

[@blueislandgirl_]

Jim, can you tell me the name of the special chop saw you are using that seems to double as a sort of table saw?? And also your little work bench! Thank you

[@waynemongo]

Hi, it's called a 'sliding mitre saw'. If you didn't get one already you can get a cheap one from screwfix for about £100. If you're just building bird boxs you'll only need a small one. Ask me if you need to.

[@waynemongo]

BTW, be careful with the mitre saw. It's reasonably dangerous!

[@blueislandgirl_]

@@waynemongo Thank you! I'm in the US... will look for a cheap one on this side of the pond. Thanks so much for the info.

[@fitrianhidayat]

Is this a movie refference?

[@MartynRavensdale]

Aaaaaaaaargh! That music!

[@patrewn]

Please may i order some asap?

[@garfieldfarkle]

I Nice looking bird houses. It would be better to advise never using plywood. varnish the edges all you want, it'd going to delaminate. That goes for any kind of compressed composite, such as Oriented Strand Board (OSB), even if it is rated for exterior use.

[@GierJoost]

Good vid. A mic would would make it a great vid

[@lzdmglg202612]

We hope the carpenter does not often forget his safety glasses (spectacleS).

[@Seed2713]

SAFETY!!!

[@kevingreen3781]

What about the perch to get in

[@johnnybegood1125]

we don't use perches anymore because they help predators get in. The birds don't need them

[@blackhornetful]

Do you sell your products online

[@TheSmellyArab]

blackhornetful with those price tags on the boxes I would say he sells them somewhere

[@Grover895]

Nice video. Maybe you should think about wearing safety glasses when you are operating electric saws of any kind.......eyes are so difficult to replace Jim.

[@edwardcharles9764]

Grover895 can you give me some statistics for eye injuries when carrying out DIY, before the trend for safety glasses? Then we can compare if they actually do save sight or is their contribution imagined? You simply won't know without the research and numbers! Now, as you seem such a fan on safety can you tell me how all this started? No! Then I'll tell you. Like most things in the UK, it was copied from the US, introduced in the 70,s by President Nixon as health and safety. We took it on after realising we might be sued, just like they do in America. It's more ACE than anything else. Example: how can a paper label stop you from being electrocuted? It can't! But if you are electrocuted and there is a paper label on the plug, (PAT test) you won't be sued, it was just an unfortunate accident. NO pat test you will be sued! It's all about ACE. ACE? The Arse Covering Exercise! The pat test label won't stop you from electrocution but with one, it will stop you being sued for not having it! ACE! As far as safety glasses go, it's required for the health and safety at work act. Note the word WORK. It DOES not apply anywhere else. The same as the grinding regs. You can't change a disc in work without having been on the regs course. But you can go into B&Q and buy a 240 volt 9" grinder and do what you like with it. Why? Because you're not going to sue yourself so there's no need for risk assessments, pat test etc. No need for ACE! His eyes are as safe as anyone else's, just consider, however did we all manage before H&S? Well without your figures you won't know and won't convince me it's more than ACE.

[@MrPedrofoto]

edward charles hang on there Ed. As a professional landscaper who operates construction saws, hedge trimmers etc, I can assure you that eye protection is essential. On many occasions, while using different power equipment, a piece of wood or masonry flew at my eye, which, thankfully, was protected by safety glasses or mesh mask. All it takes is one unfortunate accident to convince you otherwise. Better safe than sorry.

[@markharris5771]

edward charles I run the welfare advise service for a disability charity and I can instantly think of three people who lost an eye - one of which also had brain damage. I can also think of two people with early onset dementia due not to wearing proper respiratory equipment and it’s impossible for me to start counting all those with lung damage. If you ever want to know what damage can be done by not wearing proper protection go to your local Headway meetings. A massive proportion of its members have head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing the correct protection.

[@chriselliott726]

@@edwardcharles9764 A very long winded way of proving you are an arse! Just get some safety glasses, inexpensive and basic common sense. You not need statistics to prove the point.

[@dentistjk]

99 dislike and you wonder why we have COVID 19. Great video

[@lindawinn2568]

Would have been a fantastic video if you’d let us see where you said you were making marks. All a bit rushed for me but lovely that you bothered to make this for people.

[@doalex2085]

Where are your safety glasses?

[@jenniferbringman9054]

Please, turn up you sound. You have a soft voice!

[@wakeupuk3860]

As usual some guy telling us how easy it is to make your own bird box and expects the average person just happens to have a professional table saw with stand which most likely in the region of £1500 that makes nice 90 degrees clean cuts so butts up nicely. Even if you were to hire would well be £70 a day. Jim lets see you use an old rusty saw that maybe someone like me uses once a year which is quite blunt to cut the pieces and about £10 Hole saw cutter which in my years doing DIY around the house have never needed to use, thus one time to make the entrance for the bird. Great what you are doing for keeping pathways open but be credible most of us bodgers go would go out and buy one, as I have just done.

[@midnightdarkness411]

MALORIE!!

[@angelogiusti9044]

Negato

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Birds don't give a toss if its made out of an old pallet or planed oak.

[@SpanishGrandpa]

Hy

[@andreqeen2417]

I did it quickly and efficiently with instructions from Stodoys.

[@ahmediraq9162]

Kod

[@davidphillips2259]

Bird boxes on fences no good never move in ,on trees

[@flamingstag2381]

goggles & mask everyone !

[@jobong1985]

Entah ape gak yg kau leterkan pak tue

[@beakfordflappering4647]

treated wood is bad for bird right? apparently

[@beakfordflappering4647]

at least waether treated wood i s bad i guess ?

[@zypeebarrameda634]

Mow bird box is a movie lol

[@PlacecheckersHD]

How to Make A Bird Box with a Blindfold

[@ya_momisnotgay1234]

Wtf is this m,I searched for bird box movie

[@noe29933]

Useless information nothing about sizes the correct timber

[@billhancox253]

Shocking that no safety is taken into consideration not a good example to younger viewers.

[@Exiledk]

Yeah.. absolutely shocking.. I always let my 5 year old kid use the power saws and stuff but not without all the helth and safety kit...

[@Ed19601]

What safety precautions? The saw is a standard one with safety cap. What else does he need? Crash helmet? Full face mask? Biohazard suit? Toe enforced shoes? Yeah he probably hammered on his fingers once or twice in his life

[@jvaran5618]

u safety trolls need to get a life.... stop watching this stuff if you have a problem with other people's techniques

[@DD-vk5nd]

Junk!But nicely made junk.