Pac Man Squirrel Feeder

The squirrels in my back yard have been asking me for entertainment for years.  They are so jealous of the bird's air hockey table.  So I thought they might like a vintage arcade machine.  But the ones I found on Craigslist were really expensive.  Especially for a bunch of squirrels that probably won't take care of it anyway.
So I decided to build them one.  Most of the squirrels in my neighborhood are children of the 1980's so I figured they would love something that would remind them of their youth.  Pac Man would be perfect!  I mean, who doesn't love Pac Man?  It's a classic.
This Instructable shows you how to create a piece of yard art modeled after an arcade machine.  Squirrels are luered into the maze by food and work their way through the maze and back out again.  Attached is a PDF file with approximate dimensions for this project. They will get you started. But there will be points were craftsman improv will be needed.

Step 1 Materials & Supplies

• Basic workshop tools (saws, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.)
• 1 Sheet (4'X8') 3/4" plywood (or roof sheathing)
• 1 sheet 1/8" plywood (or floor underlayment)
• Adhesives: Carpenter's Glue (Elmer's, etc.), Construction Adhesive (Liquid Nails, etc.), Polyurethane glue (Gorilla Glue, etc.)
• Nails and screws (outdoor grade)
• Exterior Latex Paint
• Exterior Primer
• Paintbrushes (artist's brushes and general purpose brushes)
• Plexiglass (~30"X36")
• Insert nuts (qty. 4) with thumb screws
•  Sandpaper
• Wood filler

Other materials:
1 dowel (joystick)
1 wooded ball (joystick knob)
Wooden furniture plugs (dots)
Wooden semi-spheres (power pellets)

My notes about adhesives:
This is an exterior project so water proof adhesives are needed.  I used a few different types and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
PVA Glue: This is regular carpenters glue.  It's not terribly water proof.  But is OK to use of what you're gluing isn't going to be completely wet or exposed.
Polyurethane Glue: Water-proof.  There are several brands, such as Gorilla glue.  It's very strong so it is good for joints.  Problem is that it is a little awkward to use, You have to let a thin coating of it air dry for a while and the other surface should be damp.  So it's not something that you can just dab some glue on there and attach it.  It's more involved than that.
Construction adhesive: Very strong. Water proof.  But it comes in a tube (usually) that requires a caulk gun.  So it's not good for tiny things.

Comments

[flyingchainsaw]

This made me laugh so hard! why is everyone looking at me weird???

[The Papier Boy]

Day 1 (Oct 2): No squirrels.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 2 (Oct 3): Squirrels took the nuts that I put near the entrance hole. Doesn't look like they went in though. Raining so I didn't leave the camera out while I was at work. My wife had filled the bird feeders the day before and I didn't notice. So I took that bird feeder down and locked wife in basement.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 3: Raining again so I could not put the camera out. Squirrels took the nuts I left near the entry hole but doesn't look like the went in. Loaded it up with peanuts and corn deeper inside the maze this time; didn't leave any outside. Emptied wife's pee bucket. Weather looks great for rest of week so hopefully there is more activity and I can leave video camera outside.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 4: Great weather so I left camera outside. It is a Flip video capable of 2 hours of video. But battery was not fully charged so it only did 48 minutes. At the 36 through 38 minute mark a squirrel milled around and took a peanut that was close to the entrance. Still didn't go in though. Turns out my wife is really strong. Like a she-hulk.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 5: Definate progress. Squirrels entered and even took the nuts that were stashed near the cherry. Not sure if they made it any further. But to get the nuts at the cherry it would have had to be completely inside the maze. Video only recorded for 58 minutes. Not sure why. Squirrels must have come after video ran out.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 6: Success-ish!. Squirrel definately went through the entire maze. But didn't catch it on video. I am very confident that I will get video this weekend. I did get some screen shots of squirrel in the maze and even some birds went inside.  I guess they were tired of their air hockey table.  I attached photos in intro of the 'Ible.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 7: Got plenty of video footage which I edited and posted on the intro step of the Instructable. Now time to let wife out of basement.

[orvis]

You are hilarious. Thank you for having fun.

[The Papier Boy]

Day 9: Anybody know how to get squirrels out of your yard?

[EaglesNest]

Your persistence is inspiring. I think your squirrels are too smart, they're turning the camera off. My squirrels love shelled sunflower seeds, maybe try some of those inside the maze?

[The Papier Boy]

Yes, they may be having some fun with me.

[annahowardshaw]

I love this. A lot.

[The Papier Boy]

It loves you. A lot.

[ZoDo]

Really cool idea. I hope the squirrels come so you can take some pictures.

[broper]

if we didn't have a dog i would make this

[broper]

lol you locked your wife in the bacement

[EaglesNest]

Any chance of getting some pictures of the squirrels in the maze? That would be adorable.

[The Papier Boy]

I am trying...desperately.