Octagon Stand for the Satellite Dish Bird Bath

The satellite dish bird bath Instructable I made a few years ago needed a stable base to sit on.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Satellite-Bird-Ba...

Here is a link to a video of it.

I had recently acquired some pressure treated wood, so I decided to make a base for it.

Step 1: Tools and Material.

I used my small table saw, adjustable protractor, cordless drill and Robertson #2 bit, 24" level, dust mask, ear protectors, hand saw, adjustable clamps. A 22.5 degree Octagon Jig, plans from (Sawdustgirl.com).

Pressure treated 2 x4's and 2 x 6's, 2 1/2 ' deck screws, wood glue.

Step 2: Cutting the Boards

With the table saw unplugged, adjust the angle of the saw blade to 22.5 degrees.

I had to do a few experimental cuts with untreated 2 x 4's to figure out the size I would need.

I finally came up with the dimensions needed to make a base that would go around the 5 gallon bucket.

I cut two sets of boards, a 2 x 4 set and a 2 x 6 set.

Step 3: Assembly

Using the Octagon jig to aid assembly, I drilled pilot holes and glued and screwed the pieces together, I did this two boards at a time, then assembled them altogether on a flat table.

Repeated with the other set of boards.

Step 4: Fine Tuning

I placed the shorter Octagon on the bottom and placed the taller one on top of it. I put the dish on it and marked where the bracket for the arm goes. Cut a notch and found that it still wasn't quite right so I cut two slots so fix this. Doing it this way preserves the integrity of the Octagon and the slots help keep the dish in place.

Then I put some self stick foam insulation around the perimeter of the base where it contacts the underside of the dish, to help smooth out any irregularities of the base.

With the the shorter base on the ground I applied wood glue on the top edge and placed the taller base on top of it.

Step 5: Final Setup

Filled up the bucket, hooked up the pump and hose, placed the dish on top of the stand, plugged the pump into the GFI outlet and slightly adjusted the water filled dish.

The upside down copper colander over the drain tube is to prevent leaves and other debris from going into the bucket.