DIY Network

The Bird House Jimmy DiResta demonstrates the steps in creating an easy-to-build birdhouse.

The completed birdhouse, complete with "wood shingle" roof.

Using his trusty chop saw, Jimmy DiResta cuts out the shape of the birdhouse, then uses a drill press to cut the oblong hole for the entrance and perch. He then cuts the shingles for the roof on the band saw and attaches all pieces together using a nail gun. Finally he puts the finishing touches on the birdhouse with a quick sanding and coat of exterior paint.

Below is a summary of steps as seen in this Hammered project, as well as a list of materials and tools used.

Materials and tools:

wood (pine)
square
chop saw
band saw
drill press
wood glue
nails/air nailer
table saw
pull saw (manual)
paint (light and dark brown)
sandpaper
wood filler/wood putty

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Jimmy secures the roof ridgeline piece using a brad nailer.

Steps:

1. By "batch-cutting" two pieces at once on the chop saw, Jimmy creates the face and the back of the birdhouse at same time. I’m going to cut 2 pieces of wood on the chop saw.

2. Next he cuts two panels together on the band saw to form the exaggerated side roof pieces.

3. Then Jimmy cuts the sides and bottom on the chop saw.

4. Next Jimmy drills the entrance to the birdhouse on the drill press, then drills a hole for the bird’s perch.

5. With the holes drilled, he attaches the front and back to the walls using both glue and nails.

6. Next he cuts a piece of wood for the bottom.

7. The perch is put into place using the air nailer.

8. The classic "shingled roof" is created using two blocks of wood, cutting the shape of the shingles on the band saw. One additional individual piece is cut to form the roof ridgeline.

9. Now that the assembly complete, Jimmy sand it, fill in some of the holes with wood putty and finally paints it using light and dark brown paints.