Bird Box With Vetric Cut2D

In this Instructable I will show you how I built a bird box using Vetric Cut2D to create a one dimensional sketch to create a front and back of a Bird Nesting Box.

The Timber we will be using today is old shelving, the shelving was in the free bin( with a small donation) at a local Diy superstore.

DIY Bird boxes are plentiful online, so with that in mind we need to be creative along the way.

I will be using a CNC to cut out the front and back panel including the holes etc and the back panel with a hole to secure it.

You don't need a CNC to build a nest box, a Jig saw, Hole saws and drills would be fine.

Ensure you wear the correct personal protective equipment for CNC operations:

Eye protection.

Ear protection

Dust mask Rated for the work you are carrying out.

Supplies

Flat planed timber off cuts 15-20mm

6mm Flat router bit.

6mm V60 router bit

Sandpaper

Paint or Varnish

Paint brushes or foam brushes

Screws

CNC Router

Laser

Step 1: Basic Sketch Design With Vetric Cut2D

As always with Vetric Cut2D we input the dimensions of the timber we will be using for the box, and the starting point(Zero) for CNC operations.

With a stretched pentagon shape in mind I sketched out my basic shape for the bird box, I wanted to make it a bit quirky looking.

With the outline created we now make a hole which will be the front panel, for sparrows the hole needs to be 32mm this is placed centrally in the sketch at a height to suit.

I created a 6mm hole in the centre of the 32mm hole, this will be the hole to secure the box to a tree etc.

Below the 32mm approx 20mm I created an 8mm hole, this will house a dowel to create a perch.

I also created some text for the front of the bird box, The Sparrow Hall Hotel.

That is the design finished we can now move onto creating Toolpaths.

Step 2: Creating Toolpaths

Selecting the pocket tab, The first cut will be the holes on the front panel, depth of the timber is in this case 18mm so the depth will be 18.2mm to cut all the way through the timber.

Highlight the 32mm hole and the 8mm hole for the perch.

Calculate, review, and rename the Toolpath.

Next was a profile cut, same depth same bit, adding tabs to hold the piece in place.

Calculate, Review and rename.

For the back panel, first of all highlight the hole on the centre of the 32mm hole and cut to 18.2 using the pocket tab, then create another profile cut with tabs to cut out the back panel.

The Text can now be cut, we will use a 60 Degree V bit for this, Select the pocket tab, depth will be 1.5mm

Toolpaths created, save the files and send to the CNC Machine.

Step 3: Bird Box Assembly

If you'll excuse the pun, the next process was a bit(Wing and a Prayer):) with no procedure in mind I opted for making the roof section first and fitting this, the idea being to create a nice mitred joint at the apex of the roof, unfortunately this wasn't happening, in the initial sketch, I neglected to make the roof angles 45 Degrees so after several attempts and steam coming out of my ears I went for a basic butt joint.

With the roof sections screwed in place I could now concentrate on the sides, these were just cut to size, glued up and fastened with a nail gun.

For the bottom section, I wanted this to be hinged so after nesting was over the box could be cleaned out, with this in mind, a piece of wood was cut and 4 screws used to secure in place.

I made a little canopy to go above the Access hole as should have made an overhang for the roof really but this will do the job nicely.

With the perch glued in place the assembly is now complete.

Step 4: Final Finish and Summary

For this build, I am opting for an external varnish finish to protect from the elements but first of all I apply a little varnish to the letters area, and let this dry, when the letters are painted, this helps to stop the paint getting into the grain of the wood, then a quick sanding, then the whole of the box can be varnished.

Again with humour in mind and it being The Swallow Hall Hotel I created a lasered label saying Vacant or Occupied,

To Summise:

I would have certainly made the roof angles 45 Degrees.

A roof overhang would have been better.

I hope you enjoyed this Instructable and its given you some ideas to build your own bird box, thanks for looking.