Your instructions worked out terrific! The birds started feeding within a day, and the squirrels are still trying to figure out how to get to the feeder. A few mods to make it even better: 1. use a coat hanger to attach the feeder to a branch. This will further discourage the squirrels. 2. lower the bird perch by another 1/2 inch. I attached a colorful drinking straw to the bottom of the feeder using elastic bands. The birds are finding it much easier to grab onto the straw pipe. Good luck and thank you!
I made some of those out of baboon I guess I touched Collett pipe made several different types but he had the same idea I had beautiful I like it good job
If the half pieces are loose you can use PVC glue but that would make them permanent. You might also be able to cut them a little more than half to try & wedge in. 🤞
Fantastic anti-squirrel solution. 1 question - how do you know when it's empty? Seems like a clear "slot" in the PVC might work, but I can't think of how to do that simply and inexpensively.
You can cut great circles easily with a table saw.A center hole is needed as well.If you tilt the saw blade a few degrees it makes the bottom plug fit easily.Just taper half of the circle.
Indoor Micro I only build them for my cat Leo. It's like Cat TV for him. He sits there at the window all day watching the birds. I have black screens but he doesn't realize they can't see him & he tries to hide.
Indoor Micro Yup that's him. He is in a bunch of my videos. The updated bird feeder video of the older type I show him watching them at the window. Also play cat fighting with our othe cat that recently passed away. Rick
Do you think the zip ties will hold a cardinal? I really want to try this idea because I'm at war with the squirrels....we are in Wisconsin so cardinals, chickadees, finches are my favorites.
Nice design! I’m going to make one. One suggestion and some questions: First, you can put a small bead of 100% silicone caulk at the top joint of each half-tube when you put them in. This would help prevent moisture from getting in. Why did you go with a wood top cap and bottom? The plastic cap would be more squirrel proof, plus, that wood could absorb moisture, eventually dampening the seed, unless the cap is well-painted. Also, the cap could get stuck if the wood expands from absorbing too much moisture. It seems like a squirrel could hang by his back feet easily from the wood lid and chew away at one of the holes. Have you had any of these problems.
Wood is cheaper than PVC & a lot nicer looking when you have both. I also didn't want to seal it up completely for cleaning. I did make another version first. No issues with squirrels they can't grip it slide off when on the pipe. th-cam.com/video/6UzPptKsR1Y/w-d-xo.html
Hi, love this project and actually made one. Only problem is that no birds have discovered it yet, and it's been sitting for three days. Of course, it's winter in Colorado, but there are birds about. Have you had the same problem? Do you scatter seeds underneath to attract them? Thanks!
@@DiyRick66 thanks for prompt reply...will do!....the squirrel found it, but three tries to enjoy seeds were unsuccessful...ended in him falling off (very funny), and he hasn't tried since! so it def IS squirrel proof!
@@DiyRick66 Love to include a pic of my feeder, but don't know how to include it in a reply here. We're headed to south Texas soon, and I'll take the feeder and subject it to huge great-tailed grackles. I'll be set up better to video the proceedings, and happily send you the videos if I can figure out how, or I guess just upload it under my own name..... Thanks!
Only problem I see with this is the rope, It will act as a wick when it rains which make the seeds susceptible to mold and that isn't good for the birds.
To be honest I have not experienced that & believe me it rains here in the North East. If you noticed I used a Poly Fibre Rope not a cotton so maybe that is why it doesn't wick moisture in. If it bothers you make a hanger that is made of metal wire. Good luck. I
Instead of drilling a hole through the lid, you could screw in a large eye hook or something similar. Then attach the rope, chain or metal rod to the hook. What I can't figure out is why the seed doesn't run out the openings at the bottom. I know it doesn't because people say they have made it, just don't understand. (Should have read more comments first! Saw it's because of the opening covers! 👍) Hopefully I can get a couple made because I spent a fortune on seed last year feeding the squirrels, grackles, starlings, blackbirds...and a few cardinals and smaller birds! 😕
James Taormina Make sure you put in the little half pieces of PVC in. That keeps the seed from falling out. Not just a open hole. If you go with a open hole only drill a 1/2 7/8 3/4 hole. Whatever works for you. Remember hole saws are larger OD when you use them. Good luck.
I've mailed this design using the zip ties as perches. Very inventive!!!!
Hello from the UK. Very interesting and informative video about your bird feeder. I shall have a go at making one myself. Best wishes. 👍
🤞👍
Your instructions worked out terrific! The birds started feeding within a day, and the squirrels are still trying to figure out how to get to the feeder. A few mods to make it even better:
1. use a coat hanger to attach the feeder to a branch. This will further discourage the squirrels.
2. lower the bird perch by another 1/2 inch. I attached a colorful drinking straw to the bottom of the feeder using elastic bands. The birds are finding it much easier to grab onto the straw pipe.
Good luck and thank you!
I made some of those out of baboon I guess I touched Collett pipe made several different types but he had the same idea I had beautiful I like it good job
Nice work!
I think WD-40 also will take off the writing from the pipe
nice improvements, good job and thanks for sharing
Is that schedule 40 pvc pipe or thin wall sewer pvc pipe?
You can use either schedule it really doesn't matter. It's not needed to hold pressure. Use what you have. 😉
If the half pieces are loose you can use PVC glue but that would make them permanent. You might also be able to cut them a little more than half to try & wedge in. 🤞
Fantastic anti-squirrel solution. 1 question - how do you know when it's empty? Seems like a clear "slot" in the PVC might work, but I can't think of how to do that simply and inexpensively.
You will clearly see when empty by looking in at the feeding holes.
You can cut great circles easily with a table saw.A center hole is needed as well.If you tilt the saw blade a few degrees it makes the bottom plug fit easily.Just taper half of the circle.
Great Job. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Man that's an ingenious design. I wanna try this!
Indoor Micro I only build them for my cat Leo. It's like Cat TV for him. He sits there at the window all day watching the birds. I have black screens but he doesn't realize they can't see him & he tries to hide.
smaerd58 that's awesome..cats are a trip man. Is Leo the big orange one? I caught a glimpse of him in your recent flowerhorn video.
Indoor Micro Yup that's him. He is in a bunch of my videos. The updated bird feeder video of the older type I show him watching them at the window. Also play cat fighting with our othe cat that recently passed away. Rick
Do you think the zip ties will hold a cardinal? I really want to try this idea because I'm at war with the squirrels....we are in Wisconsin so cardinals, chickadees, finches are my favorites.
Try a thicker zip tie. Find out approximately how heavy a cardinal is a put a zip tie in a vice or some & match the weight at 2 inches sticking out. 🤞
you could use a work table
LOL....Absolutely. ;-)
Nice design! I’m going to make one.
One suggestion and some questions:
First, you can put a small bead of 100% silicone caulk at the top joint of each half-tube when you put them in. This would help prevent moisture from getting in.
Why did you go with a wood top cap and bottom? The plastic cap would be more squirrel proof, plus, that wood could absorb moisture, eventually dampening the seed, unless the cap is well-painted. Also, the cap could get stuck if the wood expands from absorbing too much moisture.
It seems like a squirrel could hang by his back feet easily from the wood lid and chew away at one of the holes. Have you had any of these problems.
Wood is cheaper than PVC & a lot nicer looking when you have both. I also didn't want to seal it up completely for cleaning. I did make another version first. No issues with squirrels they can't grip it slide off when on the pipe.
th-cam.com/video/6UzPptKsR1Y/w-d-xo.html
Hi, love this project and actually made one. Only problem is that no birds have discovered it yet, and it's been sitting for three days. Of course, it's winter in Colorado, but there are birds about. Have you had the same problem? Do you scatter seeds underneath to attract them? Thanks!
Once they find it they will come back to it. Yes try enticing them with some loose seeds under it. Good luck. Keep me updated.
@@DiyRick66 thanks for prompt reply...will do!....the squirrel found it, but three tries to enjoy seeds were unsuccessful...ended in him falling off (very funny), and he hasn't tried since! so it def IS squirrel proof!
@@LEONRIMES Awesome...... I'm glad it is working. Make a video of it working. I would love to see your feeder in action. Rick
@@DiyRick66 Love to include a pic of my feeder, but don't know how to include it in a reply here. We're headed to south Texas soon, and I'll take the feeder and subject it to huge great-tailed grackles. I'll be set up better to video the proceedings, and happily send you the videos if I can figure out how, or I guess just upload it under my own name..... Thanks!
@@LEONRIMES Send me a link to you video & I will show Everyone your build. Hope it works for you.
Dude ingenious. Question: can squirrels hang from to top and eat from the bottom?
That would be fun to watch 😉. No because the seed is inside the feeding holes not on a tray etc.
Soak the rope in melted bees wax to prevent wicking of moisture.
Nice tip. Thanks
Only other problem is to get 10 birds on it. I have been thinking of trying to stack 2 together.
Peter Korte You can make it as long as you want with multiple feed points I think. Good luck. 👍
My only issue is that hardly any seed can be stored in there. You will constantly have to replenish after a few birds land for a bite.
Comparable to a regular tube feeder but slightly better. 🤞
Ty
Only problem I see with this is the rope, It will act as a wick when it rains which make the seeds susceptible to mold and that isn't good for the birds.
To be honest I have not experienced that & believe me it rains here in the North East. If you noticed I used a Poly Fibre Rope not a cotton so maybe that is why it doesn't wick moisture in. If it bothers you make a hanger that is made of metal wire. Good luck. I
Instead of drilling a hole through the lid, you could screw in a large eye hook or something similar. Then attach the rope, chain or metal rod to the hook. What I can't figure out is why the seed doesn't run out the openings at the bottom. I know it doesn't because people say they have made it, just don't understand. (Should have read more comments first! Saw it's because of the opening covers! 👍) Hopefully I can get a couple made because I spent a fortune on seed last year feeding the squirrels, grackles, starlings, blackbirds...and a few cardinals and smaller birds! 😕
All that work and you use a rope? Squirrels will chew that up and it will end up on the ground. Doh!
You can use whatever you want. Some plastic coated wire cable would work if worried about it. 🤔
Why be so rude ! What have you done!!
EAGLES !
Ha ha ha...now if the eagles would take off the squirrels and leave the cat, it would be a perfect world
Holes are too big. Seed will fall out
tom Not with the 1 inch pieces of pvc installed. th-cam.com/video/7kLLtE5DSGw/w-d-xo.html
tom Whatever works for you. Just make sure you put the little half pvc pieces in to keep seed from falling out. Good luck.
James Taormina Make sure you put in the little half pieces of PVC in. That keeps the seed from falling out. Not just a open hole. If you go with a open hole only drill a 1/2 7/8 3/4 hole. Whatever works for you. Remember hole saws are larger OD when you use them. Good luck.
The seeds do not fall out, it is an excellent design, I am very pleased with mine, totally weatherproof, squirrel proof and no wasted seed.