Only a few final steps remain before the birds start making a beeline for their new house!
Turning the Front Deck Steps 1. To make the birdhouse perch (figure A), mount a square blank directly in the four-jaw chuck. The perch shape can be made as desired, but it will need a 1/4" tenon at the back. 2. Use a spindle gouge to turn the blank into a smooth cylinder. 3. As the perch is shaped, leave a small shoulder at the front of the tenon; this shoulder allows the perch to be fitted securely in the body of the birdhouse (figure B). 4. Cut the tenon with a parting tool, using a 5/16" wrench as a guide. When the wrench slips over the tenon, it's turned to the correct size (figure C).
5. Remove the perch from the wood with a hand saw.6. Drill the holes for the perch, the opening and the top hook and cut ventilation holes. 7. The central opening is 1-1/2" in diameter and 3-1/2" from the bottom of the house. The perch is 2-1/4" from the bottom and 5/16" in diameter. Drill two holes for the screws and another hole for the hanger (figure D). 8. A polyurethane varnish or epoxy finish should be used to preserve the finish (figure E).
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