Hanging Bird Feeder with Wood and Recycled Jar

As a kid, I used to enjoy using a bottle cutter to make vases, votives and pencil jars from old bottles and jars. So when I found a bottle cutter at a flea market a few years ago, I had to have it. But after awhile, there are only so many things you can make from pieces of bottles. Then it occurred to me, I could also incorporate my woodworking, and build hanging bird feeders made from recycled jars.

The feeder in this instructable was made from an applesauce jar, but you can use any type of jar you wish, provided it has straight sides. The cutting measurements will be based on the jar you use. Also, this instructable doesn’t provide instructions for using a bottle cutter, but there are a number of instructables out there that do.

Tools required:

Bottle cutter
Compass
Ruler
Saw (hand or table)
Scroll, coping, jig or band saw
Sandpaper
Half round file (for tight corners)
Drill
Clamps or dead weight
Optional: router table with round-over bit

Materials required:

Straight-sided glass jar
Wood (dimensions discussed later)
Exterior wood glue
Stain and exterior finish or paint
Nylon cord

Step 1 Cutting List

(Rough Measurements)

Lid: 2 pcs., square, jar outside diameter (O.D.) + 2-1/4”, 1/2” thick
Tray: 2 pcs., square, jar O.D. + 4-1/4”, 1/2” thick
Holding ring: 1 pc., square, jar thread O.D. + 1-1/4”, 1/2” thick (be sure to measure the outside of the threads, not the lip of the jar)

Comments

[the poodleo]

you know, to mka ehtis easier, you probably could do it without the jar, just cut a 1l pop bottle in half

[feltonite]

That's true, but for me, the fun is in the making.

[the poodleo]

plus you can make the wood squares, or octogons, so it doesn't take you so long with the rounding.

[eyerobot]

Very nicely documented. And a beautiful bird feeder as well.

[feltonite]

Thank you very much, and thanks for looking.

[Screamo]

Birds can feed themselves : D

[feltonite]

True, but usually not where we can watch them.

[cgg123321]

I like the rustic look of it :)

[lemonie]

That's very good.

L

[feltonite]

Thank you very much, and thanks for looking.