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How to make a Robin House

Email me for step by step instructions on how to build this Robin house.  It may also be used for barn swallows.

This is a good weekend project.  This Robin house is perfect for robins or barn swallows.  It looks very much like a little shelf and attaches easily to a post or a tree.  This project only takes one board and a couple hours of your time.  I used pine on this one, it is easy to get, and with some stain, will last for years.  If you would rather not build it, I also have it for sale under bird houses- other.

 

 

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Start with a board
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Start with a board.  This one takes a 1" X 10" board, 4 feet long.  Draw out your measurements, put on the safety glasses and start cutting!

I am working on revising this house, I just want to test it first.  Instead of seeing the triangle-cut side, I'm working on an arch design.  The measurements are:

Back- 13 X 9-1/4"

Floor- 7" X 8"

Top- 8-1/2" X 8"

Sides- 6" X 8" at the widest points, then needs trimmed from there.

Trim down boards to fit
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Since you want this one fitting snugly, I take all of the boards and just touch them on my sander to ensure consistency and a nice snug fit.

Putting it together
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It is easier to put on the back, last.  Put the top to the sides and then to the bottom.  This way you are square as you are attaching the back.  If you attach the sides or bottom to the back first, it is easy to get out of square.

The angle for the top is 18.5 degrees.  The matching angle should also be on the back of your top, so it matches with the board for leakage.

I use wood glue, screws and clamps to put this together and get a tight fitting house.

Put on the back
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Finally, put on the back, securing with screws and glue and you are ready to stain it, paint it or just hang it. 

I set down the house onto the back board, trace it, then use those outlines to pre-drill my screws. 

The finished product
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Here is the finished product, less the stain.  If you'd rather just buy one, I do offer them for sale in my bird house- other category.

This is a quick project.  And there is always room for little hands to help, almost whatever age they are.  You can cut the boards, and assist them in assembly, you can assemble it, and let them paint it, or you can do the whole thing, and just have them help select where to put it and monitor it with you.