Make a DIY Birdhouse from Reclaimed Parts
Recently I saw a birdhouse on a shopping website and it gave me the idea to make a similar one out of pieces and junk I had in my workshop.
I had an old metal bucket and an enamelware funnel. You could also use a large coffee can. I love old enamelware and I was saving this piece for something special. I also had a few wooden beads, ceramic knobs, and a piece of a broken metal frame to work with.
The first thing I did was to trace the broken frame piece that I was going to use as the door onto my metal bucket and cut it out with tin snips. I highly recommend these snips, they cut metal like butter. I needed to adjust the size of the opening a few times. I used a metal file to smooth the sharp edges on the opening.
Next, I painted the bucket with a little bit of old chalk paint I had left in my workshop, it's very much like this color. You can use any kind of chalky paint that sticks to metal. This jar was pretty dried out but I wasn't being fussy for this vintage looking birdhouse.
For the roof I used Loctite construction adhesive to attach a couple of wooden beads and a glass furniture knob to the top of the funnel. I painted the beads to match the birdhouse.
I used the same adhesive to attach the door of the birdhouse and another glass knob for a perch to the metal bucket. I tried several other glues but nothing holds forever like this adhesive. I also used it when I built a frame and attached it to a mirror when I redid my bathroom. You can read all about it by following the bold link.
I had an old metal bucket and an enamelware funnel. You could also use a large coffee can. I love old enamelware and I was saving this piece for something special. I also had a few wooden beads, ceramic knobs, and a piece of a broken metal frame to work with.
I used the same adhesive to attach the door of the birdhouse and another glass knob for a perch to the metal bucket. I tried several other glues but nothing holds forever like this adhesive. I also used it when I built a frame and attached it to a mirror when I redid my bathroom. You can read all about it by following the bold link.
I let the adhesive dry overnight and attached the funnel roof to the bucket with the same glue.
I was really hoping the birds were going to love their new home but I've been told in a comment that this birdhouse is better decorative than for real birds because the metal would get hot!
The comment mentioned that this birdhouse would need vents or be made from wood to house real birds.
A decorative birdhouse is also fun!! If you’re building a birdhouse for birds please follow the “birdhouse rules” in your area.
If you're a birdhouse lover you may want to visit some of the many birdhouses I've made in the past by following this link. Please note: No birds were harmed in the making of any of my birdhouses, most have housed happy little bird families for years.
Thanks for visiting! Please sign up for the Homeroad emails so I can send my latest decorative DIY tutorial
straight to you!
