Looking for help on birdhouse ornaments

[David Tiell]

OK, the other day I posted for help on the silicone bottle stoppers. The next question is for those who turn the birdhouse ornaments. I bought one of the Dale Nish plans from Craft Supplies USA. Granted, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but after reading it, I'm still confused. Can anybody help me with some simpler directions or plans or instructions on making these things? My girlfriend really wants some to sell at the craft show coming up, and disappointing her is usually not a good thing.

I have both a Jet 1014 mini lathe and a Jet 1236 lathe, with a SuperNova Chuck, some basic lathe tools, and one small hollowing tool, as a point of reference. Do I have the equipment needed, or do I need to buy something else yet?

Thanks,

Dave

[Joe Aliperti]

Check out Bob Hamilton's excellent video series on how to make an acorn-style birdhouse ornament:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=115965

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...1A77398A3E3706

[Jim Underwood]

And again:

http://www.classiccitywoodturners.co...%20Eyelets.pdf

[charlie knighton]

Dale Nish himself will be doing a rotation @ florida woodturning symposium
january 15-17

should be interesting

[John Terefenko]

This might help. http://www.woodturningonline.com/Tur...birdhouse.html

[Paul Ray Moore]

I have two plans that I can e-mail you if you will send me your e-mail.
I built the one that has the christmas tree shape top to it the other night. I don't have good picture of it but this is one I took before I put lacuqer on it. I took it with my cell phone. I took some liberties with the finial shape. I should have undercut the finial where it attaches to the bottom because there is a gap between the finial and the bottom.
Also I didn't follow the plans exactly when I did the top. I used a gouge to make a hole that was just large enough to put it on top of the house. and hollowed out some of the top. I did drill a hole through the top that was a 1/8" or 1/6" and slipped a piece of fishing line down through the top. Then I glued the fishing line to the inside of the top. It worked very well. I then sprayed lacquer on it and it really brought out the color. The wood is poplar top, cherry house and black walnut finial. I also added a black walnut peg for the bird to sit on.
I have a question also, does anyone know where to get the little birds?
Hope this helps.
Paul

[John Terefenko]

Paul

There are alot of places to get the birds. Many people get them at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, AC Moore, and if you want the internet route I get them at various places. http://www.floraltrims.com/feather-birds.html

http://www.craftsetc.com/store/item....at=50&Search=Y

http://www.createforless.com/Decorat...f-ffbe1eee9015

http://factorydirectcraft.com/catalo...room_bird.html

The size depends on the sizes of your birdhouses. I try to not go over 1-1/4" size. Hope this helps.

[Paul Ray Moore]

Thanks John. I'll check the internet sites out and look at Hobby Lobby. We don't have a Michaels here.

David,
I don't know if you will be on today but I'd be happy to send these plans to you. I would post them but they are too large to put here on this site. They are PDF fomat and are very detailed.
Thanks,
Paul

[David Tiell]

Thanks for all the help, everybody! I hope to be up and running in the next day or so, as I've already got a full weekend ahead of me.

Jim,
Thanks for the link to your instructions! Very informative and the pictures are a blessing to someone as challenged at reading comprehension as myself.

Paul,
PM sent on your plans. Would love to see them.

Thanks again, all!

Dave

[Paul Ray Moore]

David,
I just sent them. Let me know if you get them.
Thanks,
Paul

[Jim Underwood]

Paul, you should ask the
Wood Turning Online folks to post your PDF file.

[Paul Ray Moore]

Good idea. I'll send them to them and see if they will publish them. The plans came from Crafts Supply so they may be on their web site. Someone from our turning club sent them to me.

[kevin loftus]

For the eye's you can cut the hook end off
fishing hooks.