Bat House Forum

[BatMan]

 

This is going to be my next project. I think I'm going to make this one a 5 chamber. Any comments or suggestions would be great.


I can't seem to increase the size so it can easily be seen so here's a direct link to the pic http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9734/scan0004fl4.jpg

[kent borcherding]

Batman,

Very interesting design.

What species of wood are you using for the baffles ? Cypress is a long lasting wood.

A router with a plunge bit exteneded 1/8" - 1/4" works well to scratch surfaces of the baffles .

Also you may want to consider using a 4" x 6" post , or screwing a 2" x 4" 8 or 10 ft in length to each side of the 4" x 4" post.

A 4" x 4" post with the weight of the bat house you are going to get a lot of wind sway , this can be a problem. Possibley post to break at base.

[BatMan]

Thanks Kent.

I am going to use 1x12 #2 yellow pine, I have 3 bats currently using my 4 chamber rocket made of the same stuff.

I don't have a router but I'm planning on going and buying a table saw to make the precise cuts that this project is going to take. I usually do the saw kerfs with my circular saw but with the addition of a table saw, I'll be able to get the kerfs a lot more uniform than I could with a circular saw.

Very good idea about the 2x4's, I'm planning on doing that. Sandwich the 4x4 with 2-2x4's

[BatMan]

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/TS3650-Table-Saw/EN/index.htm

Got this beauty the other day, still need to finish putting it together.

[Joe Spencer]

I've had my Delta contractor saw for 15 years and it has been fantastic however its original fence has no precision at all.  The fence with yours looks much better than mine.  I've heard good things about Rigid products too with a favorable review below.  Good luck with the saw and the project.  :)

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/RidgidTS3650/RidgidTS3650Review.html

[BatMan]

Should have some pics of the finished octagon this week. I'm havin' some difficulty with the roof though, the angles of the cuts need to be just right for this roof and I have wasted a lot of wood so far trying to get it right.

[IowaNate]

  Seems like a difficult yet very attractive design to build, but you have a great table saw for the task...I use many Ridgid tools daily in my trade and they are very good (on par with Dewalt). I can't wait to see the finished product!

[BatMan]

http://home.comcast.net/~mh701/wsb/index.html

Here they are, I ended up stopping at the 4th chamber. You'll have to go through my square rocket pics first.

[Terry Lobdell]

Very nice Batman! Did you glue the hex joints?

[BatMan]

Thanks Terry, yes they were glued (polyurethane glue) and screwed.

[Joe Spencer]

Very nice looking bat house!  Looking forward to potential occupancy feedback!

[BatMan]

Thank you Joe, I'll keep you posted