jj

jtpr

01/06/2010 3:42 AM

Curvy sided Birdhouse

I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink

I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
suggestions?

-Jim


This topic has 15 replies

Dt

DerbyDad03

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 11:25 AM

On Jun 1, 1:58=A0pm, "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 6/1/2010 10:21 AM, Mike O. wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Tue, 1 Jun 2010 03:42:41 -0700 (PDT), jtpr<[email protected]>
> > wrote:
>
> >> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> >>http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgG..=
.
>
> >> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. =A0An=
y
> >> suggestions?
>
> > There are several ways you could do this.
> > I noticed the horizontal marks too and it may be plywood that is
> > kerfed. =A0It might have to be kerfed on both sides since the bends go
> > both directions.
>
> > I think you could also use bending plywood. =A0It's about 3/8" thick an=
d
> > would bend both directions easily. =A0It doesn't have a good finished
> > side but since it paints I think it would work.
>
> > Is it possible that all of the sides are made from the same bent
> > pieces cut to length and turned different directions? =A0If so, you
> > could make one bending jig that would work for all four sides and
> > clamp them up yourself. =A0This would require several thin rippings of
> > stock or you might be able to press a few layers of 1/4" ply.
>
> Looks to me like they're made up of separate strips like strip-planking
> or a tambour.
>
>
>
>
>
> > Mike O.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

That's what it looks like to me. Strips of wood attached to canvas,
then glued to the front and back so they hold their shape.

A little wood putty and paint and you'd never see the seams.

Also see here for a different style made with bendable plywood:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bentwood-Birdhouse/

SQ

"Stephen Quinn"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 11:16 AM

Jim

> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16453&filter=curve

HTH
Steve

Gj

GROVER

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 7:40 AM

On Jun 1, 10:21=A0am, Mike O. <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Tue, 1 Jun 2010 03:42:41 -0700 (PDT), jtpr <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> >http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgG...
>
> >I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. =A0Any
> >suggestions?
>
> There are several ways you could do this.
> I noticed the horizontal marks too and it may be plywood that is
> kerfed. =A0It might have to be kerfed on both sides since the bends go
> both directions.
>
> I think you could also use bending plywood. =A0It's about 3/8" thick and
> would bend both directions easily. =A0It doesn't have a good finished =A0
> side but since it paints I think it would work.
>
> Is it possible that all of the sides are made from the same bent
> pieces cut to length and turned different directions? =A0If so, you
> could make one bending jig that would work for all four sides and
> clamp them up yourself. =A0This would require several thin rippings of
> stock or you might be able to press a few layers of 1/4" ply.
>
> Mike O.

I second Mikes idea of using bending plywood. Available in 4' x 8'
sheets at cabinet makers supply outfits. Front and back made of 3/4"
stock and the bending plywood for the sides.

Joe G

ML

Maxwell Lol

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 7:28 AM

jtpr <[email protected]> writes:

> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?

You could cut them with a bandsaw out of rough wood.

It would be easier if you had a piece of solid wood (from glued up
pieces) cut it like a bandsaw box. I suspect this was done because the
wood was painted.

dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 7:34 AM

jtpr wrote:
> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?
>
> -Jim

1. Saw out with bandsaw

2. Use thin plywood cut so you can bend crosswise

3. Laminate (rip off a bunch of thin pieces from whatever and glue up)

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico



Hh

"HeyBub"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

02/06/2010 8:52 AM

jtpr wrote:
> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?
>

When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is reported to
have said "I start with a solid block of marble and chip away everthing that
doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to that effect).

Maybe his technique could be employed here?

Hh

"HeyBub"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

02/06/2010 8:15 PM

DerbyDad03 wrote:
>>
>> When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is
>> reported to have said "I start with a solid block of marble and chip
>> away everthing that doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to that
>> effect).
>>
>> Maybe his technique could be employed here?
>
> I tried making birdhouses that way but it was really hard to get my
> chisels through that little hole.

Yeah, but what's art without suffering?

Dt

DerbyDad03

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

02/06/2010 6:33 PM

On Jun 2, 9:15=A0pm, "HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote:
> DerbyDad03 wrote:
>
> >> When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is
> >> reported to have said "I start with a solid block of marble and chip
> >> away everthing that doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to that
> >> effect).
>
> >> Maybe his technique could be employed here?
>
> > I tried making birdhouses that way but it was really hard to get my
> > chisels through that little hole.
>
> Yeah, but what's art without suffering?

Enjoyable.

Dt

DerbyDad03

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

02/06/2010 9:32 AM

On Jun 2, 9:52=A0am, "HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote:
> jtpr wrote:
> > I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> >http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgG...
>
> > I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. =A0Any
> > suggestions?
>
> When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is reported=
to
> have said "I start with a solid block of marble and chip away everthing t=
hat
> doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to that effect).
>
> Maybe his technique could be employed here?

I tried making birdhouses that way but it was really hard to get my
chisels through that little hole.

Hh

"HeyBub"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

04/06/2010 8:00 AM

DerbyDad03 wrote:
> On Jun 2, 9:15 pm, "HeyBub" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> DerbyDad03 wrote:
>>
>>>> When asked how he carved such magnificent works, Michelangelo is
>>>> reported to have said "I start with a solid block of marble and
>>>> chip away everthing that doesn't look like a rabbit" (or words to
>>>> that effect).
>>
>>>> Maybe his technique could be employed here?
>>
>>> I tried making birdhouses that way but it was really hard to get my
>>> chisels through that little hole.
>>
>> Yeah, but what's art without suffering?
>
> Enjoyable.

I think Van Gogh sold maybe two paintings in his lifetime (to, I think, his
brother), suffered a great deal, but enjoyed his distress immensely.

JD

"Jon Danniken"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 5:54 AM

jtpr wrote:
> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?

Judging from the horizontal striations on the units, my guess is that they
took thin plywood and used a saw blade to cut partial-depth cuts in it
(maybe 1/8" cut in 1/4" plywood). It is easier to bend the resulting panel;
they could also have moistened or steamed the panel before they bent it into
shape.

Jon


JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 1:58 PM

On 6/1/2010 10:21 AM, Mike O. wrote:
> On Tue, 1 Jun 2010 03:42:41 -0700 (PDT), jtpr<[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>>
>> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>>
>> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
>> suggestions?
>
>
> There are several ways you could do this.
> I noticed the horizontal marks too and it may be plywood that is
> kerfed. It might have to be kerfed on both sides since the bends go
> both directions.
>
> I think you could also use bending plywood. It's about 3/8" thick and
> would bend both directions easily. It doesn't have a good finished
> side but since it paints I think it would work.
>
> Is it possible that all of the sides are made from the same bent
> pieces cut to length and turned different directions? If so, you
> could make one bending jig that would work for all four sides and
> clamp them up yourself. This would require several thin rippings of
> stock or you might be able to press a few layers of 1/4" ply.

Looks to me like they're made up of separate strips like strip-planking
or a tambour.


>
> Mike O.

MO

Mike O.

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 9:21 AM

On Tue, 1 Jun 2010 03:42:41 -0700 (PDT), jtpr <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
>http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
>I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
>suggestions?


There are several ways you could do this.
I noticed the horizontal marks too and it may be plywood that is
kerfed. It might have to be kerfed on both sides since the bends go
both directions.

I think you could also use bending plywood. It's about 3/8" thick and
would bend both directions easily. It doesn't have a good finished
side but since it paints I think it would work.

Is it possible that all of the sides are made from the same bent
pieces cut to length and turned different directions? If so, you
could make one bending jig that would work for all four sides and
clamp them up yourself. This would require several thin rippings of
stock or you might be able to press a few layers of 1/4" ply.

Mike O.

cc

cavelamb

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 3:42 PM

jtpr wrote:
> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>
> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
> suggestions?
>
> -Jim


I'm guessing those are done the same way I did the tops of my treasure chests.
It's looks like it inthe pictures anyway...

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavelamb/chest.htm


--

Richard Lamb

dd

"dadiOH"

in reply to jtpr on 01/06/2010 3:42 AM

01/06/2010 10:55 AM

Jon Danniken wrote:
> jtpr wrote:
>> I want to build a couple of these for my wife's garden:
>>
>> http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/m5L4cuZaijG4Lo0K-KWchq0GkR9kkGgGTNsz0yEeDQk?feat=directlink
>>
>> I can't quite figure out how I could get the curvy sides though. Any
>> suggestions?
>
> Judging from the horizontal striations on the units, my guess is that
> they took thin plywood and used a saw blade to cut partial-depth cuts
> in it (maybe 1/8" cut in 1/4" plywood). It is easier to bend the
> resulting panel; they could also have moistened or steamed the panel
> before they bent it into shape.
>
> Jon

Bandsaw blade marks more likely

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico



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