Birdhouse Workshop

Preparations

1. Cut out this pattern (elsa link) on the Zund
1. Bevel the tops of the walls at a 45 degree angle so that they look like this

Skills this workshop can help with:

1. manually sand
2. how to use a drill
1. change drill bits
1. teach them to do it by hand, at least at first, because doing it mechanically can hurt their hands
2. reverse
3. go forward
4. parts of the machine
3. assemble a woodworking project
1. put pieces together, follow a plan
4. clamp
5. paint

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. First, have kids practice drilling into the floor piece of the birdhouse using the 1/4” drill bits
1. this works as drainage holes for the birds, and also gives them practice drilling before they do real screw holes
2. Pretty please make sure to put an extra piece of wood underneath the real wood to avoid drilling through the table
2. Sand the edges of the wood

3. Now add the first walls
1. Lay the floor flat on the table
2. Take one wall and put it against the side of the table.
3. Pull the floor out so the bottom is on top of the edge of the wall. Clamp the wall against the bottom of the floor, and clamp the floor to the table.


1. Make sure that the sides are at a right angle and aligned with the floor! These are going to be the base for the rest of it so if they’re off the final product will be a little extra wonky (not that there’s anything wrong with that!)
4. Drill two holes through the bottom of the floor, where the dots are marked. This will also drill into the base of the wall. Then switch bits and add a screw in both holes.

4. Next, add the second wall

a. This time, clamp the wall to the floor against the corner of the table.

1. Again, make sure that the wall is flush and at a right angle.

2. Drill into the dots on the other side, making 2 holes that go through the floor and the base of the second wall. Switch bits and screw two screws into those holes.
5. Now it’s time to add the front and back
1. clamp the floor to the table
2. clamp the front between the walls


3. Drill pilot holes on the top and bottom sides of the front.
4. Screw the top screws into the sides of the front, then remove the clamp and screw the bottom screws in
6. Add the back
1. clamp the front to the table with 2 clamps
1. Remember, just 1 clamp will act as a pivot point! This is why we always use at least two.
2. Clamp the sides against the bottom of the back
3. Drill pilot holes through the top and bottom markings.
4. Screw the top back screws in, remove clamp, repeat for bottom back screws

7. Add the bottom roof
1. clamp the top of the roof to the bottom left corner of the birdhouse
2. clamp the left wall to the table

3. drill through the four screw holes, then screw screws in
1. you might need longer screws if the top is a little wonky
8. Add the top roof
1. Put the second roof above and against the first.

2. Screw through the pilot holes. Now all the pieces should be together
9. Add the perch!
1. Use a 1/4” drill bit to make a hole right below the entrance hole.
2. Take the 1/4” dowel and put a little bit of wood glue on the end. Stick it through the hole and hold in place about 30 seconds so the glue can harden.