How to Make a Bird Feeder // Woodworking | I Like To Make Stuff

[@williampeppers812]

I just watched with my daughter. She 100% on board in making this. Thanks for the video. Simple and easy to follow.

[@stafdehat]

Bob, for cutting the glass - score one side. Experiment with angle and pressure 'til you find something that works for you. Be sure that you only do one clean pass, though - no rolling back & forth. Also, don't go completely off the edge of the glass - just go right up to ~1/8" of the edge. After it's scored, don't try to fold it. Instead, flip the whole sheet over, and tap on the uncut side along the score line. The glass should crack cleanly along the the score line. This tapping method is why glass cutters always have a cutter on one end and a metal ball on the other end.

[@temersonAP]

Great project, Bob! A quick tip to make cutting the glass easier: use a cheap brush to run a little WD-40 along the cut line before you score it. When you do this, the cut has less of a tendency to run wildly when you snap them apart.

[@fdelacou]

Also, do only one pass with the glass cutter! Multiple passes mess the glass and does not cut straight. You can then snap the glass by fixing the glass from the edge. Trying to force the glass to break on the entire length does not work as you have learned... ;-) Great videos btw! Keep it going!

[@king21w48]

not sure if anyone else had put this here, but the glass cutter you were using, there is a way to use it (or its worked for me at least) as long as the rolling cutter is down, with firm pressure, score the glass once, then flip the tool around and use the ball at the end to tap along the scored line, this helps send the crack to the other side making the break stay on the line, i have used the edge of a table to finish the break, and its come out pretty good for me everytime

[@pacificprospector]

Yes, ideally just ONE pass with the cutter. Multiple passes cause rough cuts. Oil the cutter will help with this. Pushing too hard can also cause rough fractures. But other than that, the cut job wasn't bad. Maybe warn the glass a bit if stored in a cold garage.

[@beamer101A]

Quick tip about cutting glass do not go over your score line. Score the glass once then break. id it a straight cut you can line the score line with the edge of a table and push down on the over hang. I loved your video. Great Job.

[@johncichon9499]

You did a great job of communicating. I'm an experienced wood worker but never built a bird house. My grandson and I will be doing some next week. Thanks!

[@julianvidal7361]

Bob, quick tip on cutting glass: just score it ONCE. Even if it's not 100% perfect, the more you score it the more chances of the glass choosing the wrong "path" to follow when you separate it (which is what happened on your first try). I know this from my experience doing stained glass. In fact, the very fist time I cut class I scored it more than once and failed! After some practice you learn to hear for the right sound the scoring tool makes when you are using the right kind of pressure. By the way, I own at least 12 different scoring tools from the fanciest-oil-lubricated-titanium one to the plastic shitty ones; my favorite one is the shitty one and the one I use for all my work. I haven't noticed that more expensive scoring tools make for better cuts.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Good tips, thanks! I did notice pretty quickly that more scores didn't really help.

[@mikecurtin9831]

Good tip, Julian. What's actually going on is that you're inducing a stress riser in a very brittle material. The sharper the stress riser the better, so more is NOT a good thing. You can buy special pliers pretty cheap that have three bumps on the jaws, two spread out on one jaw and one centered on the other jaw. To use them you score the glass, then quickly align the single bump on that jaw with the score mark (but on the non-scored side of the glass) and gently squeeze. I used to do custom picture framing for a living, so I had the chance to get very good at this. One other tip is to wear light cotton gloves when handling the glass. It minimizes smearing of both finger oil and blood on the glass. :-)

[@nixalenearnett391]

@@mikecurtin9831 o

[@SteveBlethyn]

Pro tip... either leave a gap in the base frame, or drill a hole in one corner to allow water to drain off. :)

[@JJPetro]

Nice looking job, looks great! I offer the following: sand the edges of the glass so that no one (or bird) can be cut on the edges, and biscuits absorb the moisture from the glue to actually swell in the pocket. Helps lock them in place. A nice bit of info for the newcomer to biscuit joinery.

[@CGagnon5]

I personally found that using a bit of oil helped with scoring glass. You are definitely right that you don't need to push hard; I made the same mistake the first time I tried to use one. If you push too hard the scoring tool doesn't spin, and that's what actually scores the glass. I struggled with those things for a while making some custom mirrors for a nursery. I went through many bad cuts before I finally got the hang of it Great work as always! edit: oh wow, the way you set the blade for the roof was genius. I would not have though of that! Great tip

[@sgsax]

Great back-to-basics project that anyone can do. Family-friendly too! Thanks for sharing!

[@NowieC]

I love the smell of a wood shop! Great project!

[@MakeThings]

Bob, I'm glad to see people use biscuits, especially people with large subscription numbers. I feel like the biscuit joiner needs some love, so thanks for that. 😁

[@randygreenfield1391]

I wish you stated what size you cut so I could make one like this?

[@seabrow]

Hey Bob, a couple of half driven in nails on an edge will allow you to mount a piece of apple as well. Birds really like pecking at it until it's gone.

[@cliffcarlo180]

I went to the lumber yard and picked up some nice T&G floorboards, glued 3 together at a time to make some wider boards. They were pretty inexpensive too.compared to other boards/planks. Wasn't sure if they would hold up in the weather even after treating with wood preserver (outside only) 2 years later and they are still doing well (all 3). They hold way more seed than those tube feeders. I particularly like the roof construction with less chance of the weather seeping in through a hinged lid. Nice build, so thanks for sharing your design.

[@RSpudieD]

This turned out really nice and I like that you remade an old version. Good job, bob!

[@SuperBigAl55]

Great project! I love the use of the biscuit joiner and showing us how to cut glass. Thanks Bob!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much Alex!!

[@ted6361]

I really like this one! Some shots of the feeder with the birds at the end of the video would be the perfection

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks! Believe it or not, I tried a LOT. Having the camera out there seemed to keep them away :/

[@MikeTatman]

Awesome little project. We have tons of birds in our back yard. I think I’m going to take a shot at one of these!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Great! I hope it's helpful!

[@phinsappenfield1345]

Nicely displayed with energy and creativity.

[@rickvaughan4607]

Good project but it would have been easier for amateur woodworkers like me if it had included dimension.

[@clydedecker765]

Little tip .. lay a small round rod - probably smaller around than a pencil and preferably the width of the glass and lay the line of the scored glass (up) over it and simultaneously push down lightly on both sides. You can snap over a straight edge but that take practice.

[@geoffankrett7012]

You only scribe glass once then tap under the scribed line at the end to start the crack then put a match stick under the scribed mark and press either side of the mark and it will crack perfectly along the scribed line.

[@JackplaneJohnny]

Great project! I also struggle with glass cutting and have to relearn every time. I recently learned that the big blue box store that starts with an L will cut glass, mirror, and plexi to size for you. Way easier and much less stressful.

[@stevenpotter2283]

One important tip re glass cutting is that the cutter wheel needs to be lubricated (1) so it will roll smoothly and (2) so the lubricant (usually kerosene) will keep the crack open until the two pieces of glass are fully separated. Glass is more liquid than you would think and the score mark of the cutter wheel will actually "heal" over very quickly unless it's keep open.

[@nitchmakes7550]

Bob I love how you make replacements for old items around your home. Awesome

[@CaptainDominic]

Super simple project but done with such elegance.

[@Harleyguy03]

I made a similar covered platform feeder of similar dimensions out of 2 cedar fence boards ½"x6"x6'. Cost was under $10.00. Biggest problem I had was that I had to weigh down the (lightly) clamped glued up edges so the boards wouldn't bow. Then I sealed them to protect and prevent warpage....Great video.

[@breck112000]

Hi, great bird feeder. You may need some drainage holes in that for when it rains. Thank you for the wonderful video.

[@stuffsethmakes]

A note about your glass cutting... my first job ever (about 21 years ago) was at Michaels Arts & Crafts in the frame shop. I cut a lot of glass! That tool you were using has a ball on the end, and what I was taught is first you score the glass with the cutter, then you gently run the ball over the score line in the OPPOSITE side of the glass. This completes the crack/cut and you’re good to go. 👍🏻

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

Great video and bird feeder project. It's cool that you could use your grandad's inspiration and design to make this project.

[@BruceAUlrich]

I know you said you didn't end up having to press that hard, but with my glass cutter that looks very similar, I have found (through much of the same type of experimentation that you went through...aka...breaking a lot of glass) that I had to use a lot of downward pressure on the little cutting wheel. Also, I found that putting it between my forefinger and middle finger and with my thumb underneath, I was able to deliver that pressure really evenly. Cool project, Bob!

[@ExownOozyFTW]

Being 14 and working in a glass shop for 2 years spending hours cutting glass, I can give you tips, don’t go back and forth with the cutter, make one line and add a little bit more pressure(not much) and you will hear a scratching sound. Then to snap go to a table and press one side on table and lift the other and the lightly but not too lightly push the glass down. If you can’t do this they sell a tool that looks like pliers with rubber on the end that you put over the cut and press. Hopefully next time you will get it first try and succeed! Good luck!

[@carlb0666]

You probably figured this out Bob, I work with glass everyday at work and just wanted to chime in and let you know when you use the glass cutter and break it out just do one pass with the cutter. If you go over it again it usually is a lot harder to break and a lot of times won’t break out perfectly on the line. Love your vids!

[@chuculan1]

Thanks bob. Made one these feeders this morning. Looks great. I used Perspex instead of glass

[@coreyward]

A trick to make cutting glass easier: get a trigger grip style glass cutter with a swivel edge. Like a particular maker knife, it has flat parallel faces that you can reference against a straight edge and the grip makes it super easy to keep it vertical. I went from breaking 90% of glass I cut to 0%.

[@stephenrees438]

Nice! My home backs up to a golf course with about a 50’ wooded area as buffer. I see woodpeckers and cardinals on a regular basis. I think I’ll make one of these as well and see what else I can attract. Thanks for sharing and I enjoy your videos.

[@blizatrex]

Looks great; it should last at least as long as the one before. One caveat about moving the feeder closer to the house is that small critters may be eating what falls off and moving it closer will have them that much closer to the house.

[@richardbertrand8895]

Great Job On The Bird Feeder. Will Be Looking At Building A Couple Of Them For At Home And At Thr Cottage.

[@otaldobet]

This is awesome, but I was looking for something simple that doesn't require that much machinery. I have a hammer and nails, gonna figure out a way to make it work for my toucan hahahah

[@adamwonnell4982]

I haven't read through all the comments and I'm not going to, so I'm not sure if this has been mentioned. After you score the glass, give some light taps on the non-scored side with the metal ball on the end of the score tool. Do this up and down the line and it will cleanly break apart on the score line. Much easier and safer and I've never had it not work.

[@ryanedwardking]

Very cool. A little big for us but easy to scale. Thanks Bob!

[@andydavidson4108]

Great project. Going to start mine today. Thanks.

[@comanderhomer]

This is you going to be great for a summer project for my kid.

[@lukenicholl7746]

Great work very well finished

[@darrackmccrea9761]

Great video like the springs for the roof

[@twoweary]

I'm gonna make one of these now that winter is starting. Think I'll go with a smaller tray (so little birds can't crap in it) and put some dowels in for perches. Great project !

[@lukasbacher7317]

Nice project! To cut glass easier, you can simply add some oil on the line before you use the cuttingtool. Try to run the tool only once over the line to prevent multiple cracks.

[@markb8954]

Yes, thats a key trick. Scribe the cutting line once.

[@mill9400]

Great video, I ended up building something similar with some scrap cedar fence pickets. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@crucialjosh5951]

I love your videos bob! I always look forward to watching them, I hope I can see you at makers fair in nyc this year!!

[@harrykarsten1144]

Great video, like this guy and how he presents ...

[@toddweller]

Awesome build Bob! I like the feeder design. fyi ... don't use any seed with milo (that round red seed in your mix) in it. Hardly any song bird's will eat it, they will kick it to the ground and you'll grow it under the feeder. Milo is great for chicken's, turkeys, ducks & livestock. It doesn't really cost more to get a mix without it when you consider cheap mixes that have it are mostly milo. You're paying a lot for the little bit of sunflower in that mix even though it was "cheaper". Sunflower, nuts, safflower & millet is what you're looking for in a mix.

[@reforzar]

Fun to make something your grandfather made thirty years ago.

[@davypasquet2268]

I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else wants to learn about building a bird aviary plans try Panlarko Expert Aviary Planner (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some amazing things about it and my mate got cool success with it.

[@life_score]

Maybe grandma

[@jwodehouse7087]

Well done. Held on thru the whole video. You have good shop tools and the right saws to help get this done right. Love that super extra large tray. To my eye it’s big but still in proportion.

[@aknottwot]

Great idea to replace the old one. Next time cutting glass lubricate the glass cutter with oil, works way better.

[@Hubbmade]

Simple project, but good tips like the glass and angle finding. Thanks, Bob!

[@ludomak3922]

Merci, je vais essayer de réaliser cette belle mangeoire avant l'hiver, good job from Paris, Thanks.

[@equalizer1553]

Better DIY explanation and tips in this video than other recent videos, thanks Bob

[@norge1814]

My suggestion for cutting glas, is to use an angle grinder with an diamond cutting disc. It might create an perfect cut more easily.

[@peterpoertner7042]

Fun little project to fill an afternoon!

[@bluedeath996]

You need to gently tap along the cut on the glass so the crack goes deeper and then snap it in one movement. You can also run the cut through a flame to make the break. It is also a good idea to flame the edges with a blue flame. This rounds over the corners a little and makes it less likely to cut you.

[@garrettschubert]

Great project. Gave me some ideas for a birdfeeder. Also if you are cutting glass you don't need it but it helps to get some glass cutting oil. Or you can use kerosene.

[@TheMattchooo]

wow, i will certainly give this a go with my 8 year old! she has a bird feeder outside currently, but it is a hanging one from a tree. i would love to make a project like this with her, seeing as times are tough right now with the lockdown. im sure i can find some wood lying around and put some tools to it with her :)

[@EricSartor]

My dad says you should make sure to alternate your wood grain direction when gluing pieces of wood together so that the whole board doesn't warp in the same direction. Cool video!

[@GreenDeetype]

Nice & easy - thank you. The birds will love it.

[@Mikeforcier]

Especially the robins!! Seriously tho, nice feeder!!!

[@MaltandMake]

Loads of really useful tips in this one, can't wait for the 'bits' series to come out to hear more!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks man!!

[@johnsmithSongbird]

Good show Please remember safety is always a must If you cut off a finger they don't grow back

[@daniishi]

I’ve used your bird feeder as model to my prototype and I’ve read someone suggesting to use portrait glass to save some money! And since mine is smaller, I’ve used on the roof 2 small door fold. Thank you for this amazing project!!

[@WayofWood]

The springs are a good idea!

[@RobJames9914]

Love the project, simple and effective. Great explanation of using a biscuit joiner, I might invest in one and your description simplified the use and settings.

[@tibormerkl4832]

Gratulálok nagyon jó ötlet

[@RegisMichelLeclerc]

Nice one! You don't need biscuits, dowels work nicely, you just need a center finder for the drilling (and the center finder makes sure you're drilling perpendicular to the edge). Note: The orientation of the roof is wrong, the planks must be parallel to the slope, even iif you really trust your glue and your cuts. I made a letterbox and realised the mistake pretty quickly... It doesn't really make a difference to make it, given you're gluing your planks together anyway (and hopefully treat your wood with some kind of varnish, I use "yacht varnish"), but it makes quite a difference against the rain, especially if your wood-glue is PVA-based (it's water soluble). A long and tedious improvement is to cut cans, flatten as much as you can, cut them in 2x2 inch, fold the sides of these tiles towards the outside-side (for rigidity) and staple them on the roof inside-side up (it's plastic coated): that makes a very fancy roof for very cheap.

[@freewoodencrosses]

I love that you used the biscuit jointer but not necessary at all, plus you cut through a biscuit later. Sorry, I am just being nosey. I love the finished project.

[@jongainer1837]

Came out really nice. Great to have a template.

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

Nice project Bob. I would break the very sharp edges on the cut glass, so that the little birds don't get cut trying to get to the seeds.

[@leksey7870]

Excellent work! Good luck to you!

[@eddyyu7091]

You must be a birds lover. Nice job board !

[@Darrytools]

Awesome project.

[@ronnieraley2920]

Nice Bird feeder am going to try to build one of these.

[@rudychavira5558]

Very nice, wont be showing mine off none too soon, good job

[@KostasStergio]

Great job..i will make one too for my house...you are the best

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thanks so much!

[@melvinpowell1769]

Love the bird feeder.

[@darrenconnolly1412]

Excellent work my man. I’ll be copying it for my next project with my little fella

[@SouthernStyleDIY]

That's pretty cool! I really like the springs to make the refilling easy!

[@craftypam9992]

Me too, though I wondered why they weren't inside the house instead of outside. Being as they let the roof clear the sides for easy filling, it would keep them out of the rain.

[@prasadkoukuntla8022]

Nicely done. I will try to make one.

[@chandrakanthamallya9332]

very nice bird feeder bob. i made similar at home last week

[@davebauerart]

So many tips and cool details. People who buy things are suckers. I need to make one!

[@254JROCK]

It's a great kid project Bob ty

[@warwickwoodshop8358]

Cool design, promised to replace my grandparents bird feeder - may have to swap my initial (boring) idea for this one! Great video as always.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Excellent! I hope it's helpful!

[@giacomo.1574]

Nice and easy project! How about putting on a couple layers of weatherproof woodstain or some cut-down tar/asphalt shingles on the top to make it look cooler and more rain resistant?

[@debbydhill]

Great build, birds are going to love it.

[@MakeBrooklyn]

Nice! The springs holding down the roof is a pretty nifty design feature!

[@brennenrulez]

the ball on the other end of the glass cutter is meant to tap the score line. Try that next time it may help! sweet as always Bob!

[@gabriellord9214]

Been wondering about this (and nest boxes, other types of feeder etc.) for a while... Thanks for sharing this tutorial!

[@NJDJ17]

man I STILL love that intro, never gets old. quick and snappy love it

[@EinReim]

Awesome project :) When building this kind of bird feeder, I think it's good to mention how important it is to keep the platform clean. Where I live, almost 40% of the greenfinch population died because of a diseas transmitted trough birdfood mixed with faeces in birdfeeders.

[@FernandoKugi]

Cool, you should make a hole to drain the rain water... Nice video man!

[@nelsongameiro6462]

I thought the same thing!

[@KevinMoulart]

Another nice one ! I love the cedar sap wood contrast !

[@celestialdream49]

Great idea with the springs holding the roof. Although ... I would have opted to mount them on the inside. I would also coat everything with a clear sealer (Varthane)

[@Mcphilsmith]

Nicely done Bob. Looks like it’ll be around for a while. When scoring glass, try using some 3 in 1 oil as a lubricant. I don’t know why it works, but I have had more success that way.