Bill turns decorative mini birdhouses. He suggests using two or three species chosen for contrast of colors or grains. He is more likely to decorate plain woods than exotics.


Bill places square stock 1 1/2" or 2" x 4" between centers and turns a short tenon on one end. The tenon is mounted in a chuck, the blank is turned round and the end squared off. The length of the finished body is defined and a center point located on the end.


Bill uses a 1" Forstner bit to hollow 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" deep. A ¼" brad point drill is used to drill beyond the bottom of the body if a finial is to be used


Bill turns the body to the desired shape and sands with the first grit. He locates the entry hole about 1/2" to 1" from the top, using any grain pattern to decide where the hole should be; then drills through with a 1/4" brad point drill.


He drills an 1/8th" hole for a perch 1/4" below the entry hole. Bill sands to the desired grit, wipes with a tack rag and applies finish. He parts off the body, undercutting slightly. There will be 1/4"" hole in the center if there is to be a finial.
If the body is a broad shape Bill hollows the body to reduce the weight. If there is to be no finial Bill makes a jamb chuck, reverses the body and turns the bottom.
The diameter of the stock for the roof should be greater than the diameter of the body. The stock is turned round. Bill uses a parting tool to establish the length of the roof by turning a large tenon, turns the top to shape, avoiding a sharp point and sands. He reduces the diameter of the tenon to the size of the hollow in the body. He uses the point of the tailstock to mark the center of the roof and drills a small hole for a hanger. Bill finishes the top and parts off the top leaving the tenon about 1/8" long.
Bill turns the bottom finial as the roof but smaller. The diameter of the tenon is 1/4" to fit the hole drilled in the body. Bill avoids delicate finials for craft shows as packing and display invites breakage.


Bill turns perches from ¼" square ebony. He makes the perches ¾" to 1" long with a 1/8" tenon. After all parts are finished and buffed he glues the roof, body and finial together with medium ca glue using a quick grip clamp until the glue dries. Bill glues a screw eye or hanger to the roof and glues the perch in place.


Thanks Bill, for a great demo!