Galaga Birdhouse

[patrickl]

I bought myself a sawtable after getting fed up with two cuts on a selfmade sawboard never coming up identical. To try how it works I decided to build myself a Galaga Birdhouse.


I started out with a drawing of the side with all the parts. The top will be detachable to be able to remove the junk the birds might leave behind after nesting.


Got wood! All the parts cut out. Sort of laid out in the location where they will go in the birdhouse.


I put all the parts together with the birdhouse laying on it's side. It's not glued or anything. I just simply put the pieces where they are supposed to go to see if it all fits. Just noticed my PocketGalaga in the background 


Same thing with slightly different view.


Took of the top board (left side) so the insides are visible. The roof of the birdhouse is visible as a detachable part.<p>
BTW I ran out of wood and I had to make the bottom plate from two pieces

Still to be done:
- Hole in the front for entry
- Fix damaged pieces with flexible wood
- Drill holes for dowels
- Glue whole thing together
- Paint outside of the birdhouse
- Hang up on shed
- Wait for birds to show up ...

[Knievel]

Just when I thought I'd seen it all. 

 

[patrickl]

heh yeah, it's a bit silly

Forgot to ask, but I have some questions:
- I used a router to round the edges (to mimick the t-molding), but the wheel of the router bit seriously dents the wood. Any way to prevent that?
- In a few cuts the wood got a bit (or even badly) scorched. Did I do something wrong setting up the cut or should I just move the wood faster over the table saw. Moving it fast adds some splintering though. It didn't happen on all cuts, but when I moved slow to prevent splintering it happened quite often.

[leapinlew]

hell with the birdhouse - can I get more pics of her?

[Level42]

I'd build a coin mech into this one and a solenoid like used on a Q-bert. Everytime you drop in a coin, the bird gets kicked by the solenoid and will show up.....nice variation on the coo-coo clock

[patrickl]

hell with the birdhouse - can I get more pics of her?

Lol, well nothing too raunchy, but I added some pictures to the Cheesecake thread (link NSFW)

[patrickl]

I'd build a coin mech into this one and a solenoid like used on a Q-bert. Everytime you drop in a coin, the bird gets kicked by the solenoid and will show up.....nice variation on the coo-coo clock

Ha, ha, that would be cool yes. I was more thinking about a webcam in the roof actually

[Level42]

Ok Patrick, I gotta know.......does your GF like playing Galaxian too 

What dahell are you waisting your time on building birdhouses ??

[patrickl]

 

[leapinlew]

hell with the birdhouse - can I get more pics of her?

Lol, well nothing too raunchy, but I added some pictures to the Cheesecake thread (link NSFW)

holy smokes... 

You don't meet girls like that at the arcade.

[patrickl]

holy smokes... 

You don't meet girls like that at the arcade.

Lol, guess not. She doesn't really like the old arcade games, but she does encourage me to build a cab. She's actually helping even with this birdhouse. Or at least she runs around when I'm busy with it and she listens when I'm thinking out loud. I'm still trying to figure out what she was doing in that picture of the table though. Guess I was so busy squaring up the shot I didn't even notice she was in it.

Anyway, she was happy you guys like her better than my wood and she actually told me to post some pictures.

@level42, she actually does cook

[Level42]

Yeah, it's an unfair world......some guys have it all, a beautiful lady AND a Galaga shaped Birdhouse.....

[Level42]

Ok Patrick....enough time spent with GF, finish this project already

Are you going to paint it, give it art ? I wonder if that would confuse the birds...   

[Havok]

Ok Patrick....enough time spent with GF, finish this project already

Are you going to paint it, give it art ? I wonder if that would confuse the birds...   

You should do it up just like a full size Galaga, artwork and all. That would be great!

Hmmm... Lit marquee??? A button cell battery or two in series should be able to power an LED for quite some time...

Oh, and major props for your GF -     

[patrickl]

You should do it up just like a full size Galaga, artwork and all. That would be great!

Hmmm... Lit marquee??? A button cell battery or two in series should be able to power an LED for quite some time...

Oh, and major props for your GF -     

Well I'm hoping to actually attract a bird couple to nest in it. There are two nests in the garden now and I think it's kinda cute. So I'm indeed thinking about some art on it, but I will probably keep it a bit low key. Maybe a one color stencil.

Actually now I think of it, apart from the looks my GF is also the artist in the house. Perhaps she can help me paint some art on it.

BTW I have doweled and glued the whole thing together and I'm really amazed at how much accuracy the table saw gives. Every piece just fits perfectly and it's easily square (or whatever angle it needs to be). Even with just about every piece cut at an angle (near the top all cuts are at 7 degrees and near the CP at 15 degrees)

I need to add some things to the roof to make it watertight and so that it stays on. I originally wanted to use a hinge, but now I think I better put an edge on the bottom of the roof which slides into the top of the house.

I was a bit unfamiliar with the outdoor glue (it's a category D4 water resistant polyurethane glue) and it spilled a bit, but I guess that's what it is supposed to do. Takes ages to dry though and I should have listened to the advice to wear gloves 

[More Cowbell]

This whole project smacks of poor planning. Good luck finding a monitor. 

[patrickl]

This whole project smacks of poor planning. Good luck finding a monitor. 

Ha, ha, yes. Actually I'm looking for a really small round monitor since there will only be a 30mm hole in the bezel 

[shardian]

So when are you debuting your Galaga fish tank?

[patrickl]

So when are you debuting your Galaga fish tank?

Or maybe if I put it on it's back I can make a Galaga cat litterbox? Or maybe I should actually build a full size Galaga cabinet 

Guess I should have posted this in the woodwork forum. People are just making fun of me here , but I'm mostly experimenting on this to see if I can build the cabinet I have in mind with swappable control panels. I built some control panel prototypes, but so far I had troubles keeping them to exact specs. Which would not work if I want to swap it out. So far the table saw seems to help wonders in that department. So probably another control panel prototype is up next.

Or a fish tank of course ... or a bartop ... or ...

[shardian]

So when are you debuting your Galaga fish tank?

Or maybe if I put it on it's back I can make a Galaga cat litterbox? Or maybe I should actually build a full size Galaga cabinet 

Guess I should have posted this in the woodwork forum. People are just making fun of me here , but I'm mostly experimenting on this to see if I can build the cabinet I have in mind with swappable control panels. I built some control panel prototypes, but so far I had troubles keeping them to exact specs. Which would not work if I want to swap it out. So far the table saw seems to help wonders in that department. So probably another control panel prototype is up next.

Or a fish tank of course ... or a bartop ... or ...

Man, pickin around and making fun of are two different things. Your project is cool. As is your ultra tiny galaga cabinet.

[Level42]

Yeah indeed, it's a very original idea to say the least !!!

What about a Star Wars Cockpit mailbox ?   


Patrick....zullen we in de zomer een keertje afspreken dat je hier heen komt ? Tot eind juni heb ik het razend druk met (ook nog !) een andere hobby van me, maar daarna tijd zat. En als je dan een beetje handig bent met de tafelzaag kun je me misschieen een beetje helpen met mijn Mame CP Hoeveel potjes Galaxian kost dat !!

[Kaytrim]

Pat,

If people are poking fun at you then they are reading the thread and think enough to post.  I would consider that a positive.  Besides it dosen't matter what they think it is your little project anyway.  personally I think it is another extension of this hobby we all share.

Kaytrim

p.s. I like the idea.  Post some more pics after paint and when you mount it.  Maybe even after the first tenants take residence.  closet birdwatcher

[Malenko]

its an awesome idea, you did a fantastic job on it. I cannot wait to see the finished pix.
Also, your pocket cab is the neatest thing ever, I actually thought of something similar ages ago but I lack the ability to make it myself, so Im glad to see someone else in this world thinks like me and can actually do it.

Lastly, your girlfriend is quite beautiful and by your descriptions has a great personality and more importantly can cook.  Keep her =)

[Havok]

Patrick....zullen we in de zomer een keertje afspreken dat je hier heen komt ? Tot eind juni heb ik het razend druk met (ook nog !) een andere hobby van me, maar daarna tijd zat. En als je dan een beetje handig bent met de tafelzaag kun je me misschieen een beetje helpen met mijn Mame CP Hoeveel potjes Galaxian kost dat !!

And when you're done there, you can help me with your table saw skills to do a Mame CP for me!

 

[patrickl]

Ha, ha, thanks guys. I do feel a bit silly for posting this as a project when it was more like a woodworking excercise. I enjoyed building it and I actually enjoy your joking around

I'm too late for actual birds (usually they nest in april/may) so it will probably have to wait for the garden in the new house that they are building for me right now.

BTW apparently every type of bird needs a different nesting box (hole size and box dimensions) and the Galaga birdhouse is made to specs for this bird:


This is the bird that is now in the birdhouse that is already in the garden. It's a blue tit (Parus Caeruleus).

level42, ja ik kom graag een keer langs. Zeg maar wanneer je een keer tijd hebt. Ik zuig in Galaxian, maar ik ben wel heel benieuwd om hem te zien.

[shardian]

It's a blue tit .

::snicker, snicker::

What, I can't help it! I am from the Beavis and Butthead generation.

[patrickl]

lol yeah, I had the same B&B chuckle when i found out that was the english name for it. In dutch it's called "pimpelmees" (literally translated I guess it's something like "pimped bird")

I still have one of those talking Beavis and Butthead things standing on my TV. They make comments when you change channels (not that I have it on a lot though).

[polaris]

'pimped bird' ,that is ---smurfin--- funny .
whats a 'great tit' called in holland

[patrickl]

'pimped bird' ,that is ---smurfin--- funny .
whats a 'great tit' called in holland

Yeah a great tit would be the possible other tennant for the birdhouse (only needs a slightly bigger hole). In dutch it's called a koolmees (sort of literally translated that would be something like "cabbage bird") Not very impressive huh? 

[ark_ader]

Have you ever considered using one of those outdoor solar lights to power up your marquee?

I like that idea of the birdhouse.

What is next, a Galaga postbox?

[Malenko]

can you post the dimensions? I wanna try to make one, or should I just print out the drawing of the pieces and blow it up?

[patrickl]

Have you ever considered using one of those outdoor solar lights to power up your marquee?

I like that idea of the birdhouse.

What is next, a Galaga postbox?

A solar powered marquee would be cool yes, but I think it would scare the birds though.

I will not stop until everything in my house looks like a galaga cab. I'm worning on a Galaga toilet and Galaga bath tub now 

[patrickl]

can you post the dimensions? I wanna try to make one, or should I just print out the drawing of the pieces and blow it up?

The overall height is just over 31 centimeters. The bottom is an 11x11 cm square piece. All the pieces between the two sides are 11 cm wide. I printed the plan over 2 pages which I taped together.

For a more detailed plan, here is a CorelDRAW10 plan of the birdhouse. Illustrator should be able to import that. I tried to export it to Illustrator, but it gave me a 1MB file.

I used 18mm pine wood  (which obviously is a bit too thick for the scale), but that should help insure there is a more or less constant temperature inside of the birdhouse.

[Level42]

'pimped bird' ,that is ---smurfin--- funny .
whats a 'great tit' called in holland

Or, if we stay in the Beavis & Butthead sence: grote tiet......

Yeah a Galaga toilet, press a fire button ant the toilet gets flushed     Now, what to do with the joystick ? 

Patrick, het zal in ieder geval na 16 juni worden, daarna zit ik een stuk ruimer in mijn tijd. Leuk als je langskomt, ik ben ook geen topper met Galaxian....misschien vind ik het spelletje daarom nog steeds zo leuk
Ik woon in de buurt van Rotterdam, waar woon jij ongeveer ? Als het niet te gek ver weg is kan het misschien een keerjte doordeweeks of zo...spreken we dan wel af...

[patrickl]

I drilled the bird hole with a button hole sized forstner bit. So I can always install a button there if I want to  Also put on the first coat of the stain (needs 3 coats according to the instructions). Each coat needs to dry for 16 hours, so ths is gonna take a while 



The putty wood I put in the damaged bit on the "t-molding" looks really horrible.

[patrickl]

Patrick, het zal in ieder geval na 16 juni worden, daarna zit ik een stuk ruimer in mijn tijd. Leuk als je langskomt, ik ben ook geen topper met Galaxian....misschien vind ik het spelletje daarom nog steeds zo leuk
Ik woon in de buurt van Rotterdam, waar woon jij ongeveer ? Als het niet te gek ver weg is kan het misschien een keerjte doordeweeks of zo...spreken we dan wel af...

Ik woon nu in Beverwijk. Doordeweeks of in het weekend is allebei goed.

[NiteWalker]

heh yeah, it's a bit silly

Forgot to ask, but I have some questions:
- I used a router to round the edges (to mimick the t-molding), but the wheel of the router bit seriously dents the wood. Any way to prevent that?
- In a few cuts the wood got a bit (or even badly) scorched. Did I do something wrong setting up the cut or should I just move the wood faster over the table saw. Moving it fast adds some splintering though. It didn't happen on all cuts, but when I moved slow to prevent splintering it happened quite often.

The bearing digging into the wood is common on softwoods. Only thing you can do is sand it out after.

The scorching looks like it came from an unaligned tablesaw blade or from the fence being clamped down out of whack. This is common on benchtop saws.

Your gf is really hot.

 

[patrickl]

heh yeah, it's a bit silly

Forgot to ask, but I have some questions:
- I used a router to round the edges (to mimick the t-molding), but the wheel of the router bit seriously dents the wood. Any way to prevent that?
- In a few cuts the wood got a bit (or even badly) scorched. Did I do something wrong setting up the cut or should I just move the wood faster over the table saw. Moving it fast adds some splintering though. It didn't happen on all cuts, but when I moved slow to prevent splintering it happened quite often.

The bearing digging into the wood is common on softwoods. Only thing you can do is sand it out after.

The scorching looks like it came from an unaligned tablesaw blade or from the fence being clamped down out of whack. This is common on benchtop saws.

Your gf is really hot.

 

Ah thanks.

Indeed, I didn't notice the problem with the router on multiplex. Guess I'll just have to live with it on the pine wood then 

I was thinking the same about the fence. I need to clamp the fence of the table saw on both sides. Guess I just didn't get it exactly on the same distance on both ends.

[patrickl]

Second coat:


The paint (or stain) is not at all what I had hoped. I wanted it to be like wood (matte), but it's turning out quite shiny.

[polaris]

Second coat:


The paint (or stain) is not at all what I had hoped. I wanted it to be like wood (matte), but it's turning out quite shiny.

sun, rain and birdshit is gonna take the shine off it soon enough mate.