Bird Table/House for the Garden. A Really Easy Build for Beginner Woodworkers!!

[@billyoshea3708]

Nice work John. This is one I'll definitely have a go at myself. One tip I might add, would be to drill a couple of drainage holes in the base of the table otherwise you'll end up with a bird bath 💦😀

[@giovanniknockaert1353]

Nice done

[@keithroberts5611]

I would expect that would be obvious to any novice? As the overall size of the table is far to large and open to the elements, It all looks top heavy to me nice try!!!!

[@geoffreynicholson6704]

Hi John I must say a big thank you for your instruction on making this I just made this for my daughter it's my first build as I'm new to this ,thanks to you it came out great and she was over the moon with it please carry on making more projects with detailed instruction it really helps people like me of which there are many thank you. Geoff 😊

[@tastyfishsauce4410]

Nice and simple, no complicated angles and most folks with simple tools should be able to duplicate as a weekend project. Thank you.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

You're very welcome!

[@ashleyjohnson353]

Thank you for taking the time to make this tutorial. It has been extremely helpful. I would really love to see your more advanced bird feeder with the roof shingles and maybe some inspiration to keep squirrels out of the feeder.😊

[@deangrande7002]

This birdhouse build is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much 🙌

[@vtechead1]

Good video, clearly explained instructions. I usually leave a gap on both sides of the framing around the ‘floor’ to allow sweeping out old seed with a small paint brush to keep things clean. Or one side of the framing could be mounted on small hinges, with a couple of magnets each end to keep it in place. I also drill a few drainage holes so any rain can drip away.

[@dasdasdatics420]

Brilliant. Couple years ago I bought a similar thing but with a hanging rope to hang it from above and the birds loved it. These however retail around £80 easily with the stand. Make your own.

Hello John, Great idea for birds. It's also a beautiful sight in the garden. A decorative and stylish birdhouse. I also made 4-5 different birdhouses. I love making birdhouses. you did a good job. Congratulations. Practical and beautiful. Thank you for sharing. See you. Stay healthy and happy. Big greetings. ..

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

I'm making a birdhouse / feeder for my dad. I'm totally winging it (still planning and measuring but I have never done anything like this before. Designed it to keep out Starlings (Starlings are pests here) and only let in the little birds in. it's going to have narrow grills (measured spaces based on old bird feeder which little ones could get into) but the main part which I was pondering for a long time was how to make the roof so I could remove it easily. This video has helped quite a bit in the basic construction. Your time is much appreciated mate Ty! You got a new subber

[@Skullblood440]

Yes ..estorninho já chegou ao Brasil... está sendo monitorado sua presença aqui .. são agressivos...e causam 1 bilhão de dólares de prejuízo às safras!!!

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

Desculpe, não falo português, então estou usando o Google Tradutor. Droga. Por aqui eles são uma espécie protegida. Não sei porque, eles não precisam de proteção haha@@Skullblood440

[@danielrichardcaprani9960]

Class ❤ya,me dad was from Dublin,he was a french polisher... craftsmen 🥁

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Nice one

[@Ombodi77HUN]

Great video, thank you very much. I'll create it for sure until this winter

[@ianwatson9032]

Great job. Wife wants me to make one. Yes asked a few weeks back, so when I saw your bit on instagram I thought great. Will have a go at this one. Yes dimension sheet or a cut plan would be useful especially if making more than one. 👍🏼😀

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I must start adding some plans for you guys although I don't have a minute to spare. Post 1,300mm Legs 500mm Leg Brace piece 300mm Table brace pieces 200mm Table top 400mmx400mm House Posts 250mm The rest is easy figure out

[@ianwatson9032]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed cheers John that is great. Thanks again especially when you are so busy. 👍🏻

[@tonwanten6417]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Thank you!!

[@myfaceback100]

That bring back memories of my first project in woodwork class.

[@bigmatty50]

Great project video John. I've got a corner in the garden that this would nice amongst. I'll be making longer but not doing the bracing legs as I'll be putting straight in the ground. Thanks for the idea.

[@faithwalker5196]

I listened to this just for your accent. I love it.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

😄 thanks

[@lynjermey6423]

I love making bird houses on stands, My garden is full of them, great for using up scraps.

[@Apocalypse_666]

Fantastic tutorial and excellent work!! Look forward to seeing you doing another more detailed bird house

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

*UPDATE: List of my mistakes and fixes. Hope you got time:* Using *Chip Board* for the Table base: I was on a very low budget but just wanted to get on with things. Yes it's cheaper but not good for an exposed base or frame. After doing more research I found out that it is predominantly used for basic internal structural support i.e. walls and some under-flooring. The rest of the wood I chose was plywood for the roof and pine for the pillars and borders. I did not replace the chipboard though as I'm hoping after some creative gluing and staining that 3 coats of Ronseal will take care of the rest. *Didn't know to make pilot holes:* I didn't make pilot holes from the start which caused a lot of splintering of the wood. Had to do a lot more sanding than I would've wished to but having an electric sander is still pretty awesome. (Used a P60 Grit with my Olympia Tools 130W Multi-Sander MS130 because it's personal project and I didn't care too much about it being super smooth although P60 was REALLY smooth still). *Screwing in too many items before using Staining preserver:* I should've planned when I would attach each part first before painting so that no nooks or crannies would be left untreated (I have cylindrical pillars inbetween the roof pillars which make it harder to paint behind gaps. I got these wooden rods from scrap so it was free and I wanted to recycle something just being thrown out) Some of my measurements were wrong with my pillar supports on one side (the other side was perfect) because when I made the base table frame I hammered in a nail or two and it came out of the top of the chip board. Couldn't get the nail out without chiseling the glued area so I tried to reduce the height of the measurement of the holes for the pillar grill for that specific spot which caused alignment problems when trying to feed through the wooden rods horizontally. A couple of 13 inch wooden horizontal grills broke when feeding them through the holes of the pillars. Gorilla Glue is the BEST! No one will ever know /cough *Stapled wire mesh (to hold seeds):* I have 4 inner pillars in the centre about 4 inches from each other which I stapled with 4 small cut sheets of wire mesh. I should've removed them before painting with wood stain. This made it even more cumbersome to paint the outer pillars because my hand and brush did not have much clearance. After a couple of attempts to paint like this I decided to remove the mesh and paint like a normal human being. Will reattach mesh later. *Roof frame was too long:* I did not consider to measure the middle part of the roof frame so that the end frames would be inline with the corner pillar 45 degree mitre cuts. I had to chisel the glue off, unscrew and trim the middle frame and reattach. Now perfect fit. There's probably a couple more mistakes which I forgot to mention but HEY, I'm a beginner :[ Anyway hopefully the weather is good enough for a second and third coat of Ronson's weather Stain and then I can start to cut the roof and front door with my new circular saw. All in all it's looking REALLY nice at the moment. Thx again for all your tips!

[@darrenstockton9595]

im building one at the moment for my wife it is my first attempt and im building out pallet wood that one you built is good im subscribe to your channel as i can hopefully learn from you as im going along thanks for doing these videos there educational

[@vjosullivan]

Looks great. The only thing I'd add is that the tray will need brushing clean from time to time to get rid of the accumulating bird muck and uneaten/mouldy food. Both are ways of spending diseases though the local bird population. Either a big hole in the tray or a wide gap (75mm) in one of the sides would make this a lot easier.

[@daviddr2d2]

Nice and easy steps to understand, great, will give it a try, thank you.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Glad you liked it David

[@9700am]

Very good build, especially giving dimensions.

[@MrStarmix999]

Amazing work John and great simple instructions.. I'm going to get the wood now . The only exception being I don't have a chop saw so I'll be old school and relying on my "laser eye" technology .. let's see how that goes 🤣

[@larsfrom7280]

The only thing i miss is holes in the bottom, so the rainwater can come out, or maybe the birds will love a swimming pool 🙂, other wise it was a great video. I like it.

[@stephensnape3864]

Nice one John. Very simple and looks great

[@Ibaneddie76]

Dang if I made this video it wouldn't be a 10th as cool because I don't have that badass Irish accent! Great job on that bird feeder and video!

[@stewartg2101]

excellent little build there john, as you say simple but it looks the part sir. Bring on the complexed build.👍

[@davidjohnmartin821]

Nice and simple 👍 thanks 🙏

[@morph66ncfc]

Great video John. My wife asked me to make a bird table, she was a bit annoyed when I put her fourth!! Keep up the great work.

[@chriswindberg5010]

Great video John and I would love to see the more complicated/involved version of this!

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks Chris

[@user-ok9yf6mz1e]

Great and simple design! The one dimension you did not say in your video is the length of the four roof trusses.

[@murraygraham1696]

John very nice but the squirrels would have a field day feasting on the bird feed here in America I would add some plexiglass larger than the birdhouse base to keep the squirrels from getting to the seeds

[@najeebayasmeen786]

Love it!

[@davemarriott]

A big help, thank you.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

You're welcome!

[@randymartin2396]

Awesome job looks good

[@Annaisineire]

Lovely job John, I hope Aine loves feeding the birds now!!!

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

John a great little video and very good to listen to. I might have to try one of these

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Go for it Paul.

[@keithomuiri2993]

Nice one John, appeared just after I was asked to replace the old one in our house. I’d add 4 little drainage holes in that top deck corners to let the sitting water drain out

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

That would be a good idea!

[@michaelbritton9778]

Nice one Lovely job. Brilliant.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@andreshernandez4642]

Nice job , is awesome ! Thanks for show us your great work !😉👍

[@dalepete2854]

First time viewer great project to do with grandkids and yes I did subscribe

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks for subbing!

[@mauricesaunders5924]

I’m going to have a go at this one

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Go for it!

[@davidhudson1168]

Lovely job, I would agree with the previous comment you definitely need drain holes.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Drian holes are essential to be fair

[@jimbo8july]

High im going to make this bird table what are the sizes for the 4 roof trusses ? looks a brilliant easy project thanks John

[@stephenrudd801]

Really great and straight forward build 👍

[@Heughhead1]

Thanks John. Great video for a simple project that I can do as a beginner. One small comment : at time 3:42 you say the 4 legs are 400 mm long or 20". At 4:30 you say 500 mm. I assume the 4 legs are 500 mm which is 20". I was a bit confused at first but get it now. Great job. Thanks for all the videos.

[@Skullblood440]

Top ..thanks from Brasil 👍👏👏

[@174859607]

Very very nice job I did learn a few things ty

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Glad you found it useful!

[@anthonypicot2361]

Nice work, John. Many thanks. I'll have a go at this, I think!

[@patmaher9435]

Hi John, greetings from Ireland 🙂 great little video with simple explanations and the end product is very nice indeed. Ideal for someone like me starting out with this type of thing 👍 subscribed.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Cheers Pat I'm glad you liked it

[@tonymulreid6347]

Thanks John, really good video, straightforward even for someone like me! Cheers

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

No problem Tony

[@stevenclark1973]

Superb.

[@seanking612]

Are the roof panels 400 x 400 and 400 x 412.5? Can I get all the ply I need from a 2' x 4' sheet of ply? Thanks

[@The_man_himself_67]

Awesome beginner project. Thanks. New sub!

[@WayneComley]

Brilliant build and explained very well could you give the length measurements of the roof trusses please 👍

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

250mm or 10 inches

[@WayneComley]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Brilliant thankyou John 👍

[@Marcuswelby-nx2te]

Awesome feeder

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Cheers

[@ivanmaguire2277]

Hi John, great video thanks for making it I was just wondering what are the dimensions for the roof?

[@sajjadhussain7932]

Absolutely genuise.

[@nigelboucher2014]

Nice project John. But I would use end grain sealer on my cuts. It’s ok painting the outside with decking oil or stain yearly but water does get into the joints and this is where you will get rot

[@phil_law]

Nice one John. I’ll be trying this next summer. Cheers!!

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Glad you enjoyed it Phil

[@budlloyd3127]

beautiful work! I'd love to see the more complex version too!

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Cheers Bud

[@edwardmckenna7829]

Well done John, nice little project.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Glad you enjoyed it Edward

[@Edhildil]

Nice work!

[@philipshaw8180]

very nice project , just one thing comes to mind do the pigeons bully,dominte the feed

[@GWAIHIRKV]

Nice build. Might be worth using bits of a cheap, plastic, chopping board as feet screwed on the legs? Will stop water being absorbed into the wood. I’ve done this on wooden benches and works a treat.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Good idea

[@Qr1M371m3]

Awesome video, inspired me to start woodworking! One question, you haven't mentioned the measurements of the roof, now I could think of lengths myself, but I would rather stick with your example, so that I don't make mistakes on the first project I try to make:)

[@johnellwood9240]

I am interested in the reply to this question also.

[@buttsy1704]

Judging by the size of ManInShed's head, I would approximate the height of the roof to be 500mm

[@johnellwood9240]

@@buttsy1704 thanks

[@malawideep7980]

EXCELLENT!!!

[@glenfarnell9623]

Great video!

[@garyblake3130]

My students at college made something almost identical as little project at the end of their course in June this year.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Its a nice little project

[@viktoriyaomgate9831]

Just SUPER!))

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty beautiful work, John! Really nice! 😃 This style would be fantastic to give fruits for the birds! I built a bird feeder a while ago, +/- like Bob (from ILikeToMakeStuff) did... But I'm going to need to rethink and build a new one, because pigeons are being able to eat there... And they let too much food fell into the ground. And I have cats here, so... 😬 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@andrewhilton2167]

Good little project, I have managed to figure most of the measurements but can't work out ply roof panel sizes. Any help please John?

[@vfswan54]

Great job John 👏

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks Vincent

[@vfswan54]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Keep em coming

[@busbyjohn]

I wanted it to last even longer so i used three 5 1/2" decking boards cut to 16 1/2" and 6x1" sarkin boards for roof i put the narrow one in the middle.allso i cut the main pole 6" longer then cut in have and put a 6" lap joint in so you can get it in your car.driled. And bolted together.

[@busbyjohn]

Trying to send a wee video but no luck.im getting old 😢

[@dawnmoore4063]

I love it! Please make a more complex one. If I wanted to use same technique for a cat house, would it hold up?

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

It would but I would use a stronger post

[@keggyification]

Nice one John.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Cheers

[@johnkeeling2735]

This is very good. I'm going to try make it. Do you make wishing well planters

[@FranksDIY]

Very nice job

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thank you

[@edithmaisano9520]

Do you have the measurements of all the wood used?

[@Exiledk]

Farty-foive.. got it. I'm going to attempt this.... Thanks.

[@myfaceback100]

I would say it would to interesting to make one out of plastic timber. I saw you can get 2x2x16 solid plastic in many colours.

[@paulb9003]

Plastic wood is nowhere as good as is generally thought. Some will snap like a carrot at quite low pressures. The stuff that does not tends to sag badly especially in hot weather as it has no long grain to hold it. Some is reinforced with metal which rusts badly. If you are using it double the size over wood and assume weakness and or sagging. It can be used but you need to take account of its weaknesses. Go to your local park, they may have a bench or boardwalk that can give some clues on this. Overall not suitable for a bird table of this design. On the positive side it does not rot.

[@philipmcgrath6073]

Whats the best way to anchor this in the garden ?

[@stevenanderson8768]

Excellent job John I really like the simplicity of the project. I am curious about your shop building, is it a prefab building that you purchased? Or did you design it and build it? I am looking for a shop to set up in my backyard for my picture framing equipment, Thank you, John, looking forward to your reply. Steven Anderson, Albany, Oregon.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Hi Stephen, it is a prefab building. I got it from a company in Ireland called Steel Tech Sheds. I put in a concrete base, and they erected the workshop in half a day. They only mistake I made was not having it insulated at the factory.

[@juanmendoza7487]

Great job…

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Thanks

[@pineapplebetty4323]

Love this, do you sell the plans for it?

[@dannyclarke6859]

Well have to say I copied your design, with the exception of a felted roof. Really easy to make and looks great. A good solid design.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Good stuff!

[@chrisgath2619]

Wot would u recommend for anti cat bird table..

[@Animusche]

Just like that - jost loik dot :)

[@cameronweir7969]

Neat little bird table :) I have some old slate tiles that someone local was getting rid of and I was wondering if you still have plans to make a bird table with a slate roof? Also I am on the lookout for a new mitre saw as the DIY branded one that I have has fallen to bits and is not easy to fix. I notice that you use a Bosch one which I believe is dual bevel? Do you really need a dual bevel one, as I noticed that you flipped the wood over in the video. I have also been looking at the Evolution brand of saws, I don't know if you have had any experience with them or not?

[@geoffreynicholson6704]

Hi John just out of hospital again and have made another of your brilliant bird table and want to ask you if it would be OK to sell this 😊. Geoff

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Hi Geoff, I hope you are OK. Feel free to sell your work.

[@2spoons]

Nice work there John.... any chance of a spec sheet of the Bird Tables Dimension.... I know you mentioned them through out the great video .... but when I:m in the work I need them at hand!! 😆 Many thanks in advance!!!

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

Post 1,300mm Legs 500mm Leg brace pieces 300mm Table brace pieces 200mm Table top 400mmx400mm House Post 250mm The rest of the dimensions of the house you can decide yourself depending on how much overhang on the roof you would like.

[@2spoons]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed Many thanks John... much appreciated.... can't wait to start!!

[@ronno0214]

love it ....How long is the main middle post of the bird house?

[@Edhildil]

Did you say fortry forve degrees? Porfect!

[@nathanjames1514]

Hi John, did you make the other bird table, the advanced one you mentioned in the video??

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

I didn't get round to it yet unfortunately

[@RandyandPetraJ]

Farty fowve.... Lol, love your accent and videos. Thanks for the great content!

[@briangoodwin5986]

i was making a bird table which was over 6 foot, my wife said why are you building it so high because the little birds won't be able to reach it...........well i nearly took my thumb off with my hammer.

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

🤣😂 brilliant!

[@DeneF]

I am new to all this but I am sure you keep saying 500mm and then 400mm for the legs? Confusing me. Sorry if I am being thick and incorrect. Thanks for the video and project.

[@michaeldawson6309]

John what thickness was the ply? 12mm or 18mm

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

12mm

[@goldielocks2621]

Problem I find with this open house is the big birds can get in so I put side rails on and the big guys can eat off of the ground.

[@kevinmccarthy8670]

Nice build!!! But do you not have squirrels in Ireland? Putting out a feeder like that would only feed the squirrels here in New England!!!

[@JohnMcGrathManInShed]

We do indeed have squirrels but not really much of a problem where I am. The native red squirrels are lovely little animals so they are most welcome.

[@kevinmccarthy8670]

@@JohnMcGrathManInShed around here it’s a constant battle to keep the squirrels out of the feeder. It seems that every new idea to keep them out eventually fails and another new one is needed!