: Alan& Gill Bridgewater, Mike McGrath, Barry Gross, Frank Egholm, Chris Gleason, Bill Hylton, Paul M
: Making Practical Backyard Projects in Wood Beautiful Things to Make in a Weekend, Including Ready-to-Use Plans& Patterns
: Fox Chapel Publishing
: 9781637415009
: 1
: CHF 8.40
:
: Hobby, Haus
: English
: 128
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
Never run out of backyard DIY woodworking projects when you have a copy of Making Practical Backyard Projects in Wood: Plans and Patterns for Better Outdoor Living! Featuring contributions from a veritable all-star team of DIY experts from Alan and Gill Bridgewater to woodworking teacher Bill Hylton, this collection of 20 home woodworking and backyard makeover ideas is an instant cure for cabin fever. Inside, you'll find plans for smaller builds--think herb boxes and birdhouses--as well as plans for larger projects like planter benches, tool sheds, and classic Adirondack chairs. With additional contributions from master birdhouse designer Paul Meisel and tips from Mike McGrath, former host of PBS's You Bet Your Garden, it's an encyclopedic examination of everything wood can do to improve the look and feel of your outdoor living space. Making Practical Backyard Projects in Wood doesn't stop there, either. Don't be surprised if you learn all sorts of fascinating outdoor DIY tidbits that make you want to maximize every inch of your balcony or yard.

Alan and Gill Bridgewater have gained an international reputation as promoters of the self-sufficient lifestyle. They produce gardening, woodworking, and DIY books on a range of subjects, including furniture-making, hand tool techniques, stone and brickwork, decks and decking, wood-carving and woodturning. They have written more than 50 highly successful books to date, including The Self-Sufficiency Specialist and The Wildlife Garden Specialist. Alan and Gill frequently contribute articles and designs to national magazines.

PROJECTS:
Birds, Bats, Bees& Butterflies


Stylish Birdhouse


BY BARRY MCKENZIE

With its classically shingled roof and brilliant, stylized chip carving, you might be hesitant to hang this birdhouse outdoors. But the project is weather resistant, and returning songbirds will reward your generosity with their cheerful presence.

The birdhouse is fairly simple to construct. The bottom of the house has a gate hook to keep the hinged front from being opened by a predator or pushed out by too much nesting material inside. The roof is at a 12-degree slope for water run-off, and the shingles, while easy to carve, make an impressive display.

Use basswood, butternut, or white cedar; more dense wood is difficult to chip carve. The dimensions of this project will change if you use wood thinner than ¾" (1.9cm).

The hinged front panel opens for easy cleaning and secures with a simple gate hook.

Tools and Materials

• Pencil

• Chip carving knife

• Gouge of choice

• Ruler

• Assorted paintbrushes

• Basswood‚ ¾" (1.9cm) thick: bottom, 4" x 5" (10.2 x 12.7cm) (A)

• Basswood‚ ¾" (1.9cm) thick: rear, 5" x 8 15/16" (12.7 x 22.7cm) (B)

• Basswood‚ ¾" (1.9cm) thick: front, 5" x 77/8" (12.7 x 24.5cm) (C)

• Basswood‚ ¾" (1.9cm) thick: sides, 5½" x 8 15/16" (64.8 x 22.7cm) (D), top angles from 77/8" (20cm) up to 8 15/16" (22.7cm)

• Basswood‚ ¾" (1.9cm) thick: roof, 7" x 8 15/16" (17.8 x 129.4cm) (E)

• Wooden dowel‚ ¼"–5/16" (6–8mm)-dia.: 2 each 1" (2.5cm) long, (F); Do not glue in place

• Gatehook set: 2" (5.1cm) long

• Glue: exterior weather-resistant

• Dark acrylic paint of choice

• Finish‚ such as exterior spar urethane

• Graphite paper

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

• Drill holes for dowels at least ½" (1.3cm) deep.

• Place the two hinge dowels in the front piece