1 8×1 14 Tan Exterior Screws at Amazon
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Feeding wild deer has become a very popular sideline and over the years my company has in a literal sense provided tens of thousands of these feeders. It is not not common for us to receive requests from woodworkers and others who wish to build their own feeders. Unlike most companies, we are glad to help any individual wishing to make their own homemade feeder since ofttimes times we receive replies from these same humans with ideas for improvements, or more than likely new product ideas. To build your own 36″ trough style deer feeder in the Hurley-Byrd fashion you firstborn need to gather a good deal of materials. You will need lumber of course and all Hurley-Byrd Deer Feeders are crafted from western red cedar. You are welcome to use pine but only suppose it to last a few years. Purchase one 1×8 piece of lumber that is eight feet long and a 2×4 with a minimum length of three feet. Keep in mind each piece of lumber will need to be ripped to narrow widths. Some lumber yards will be glad to help if you do not have the tools capable of performing this task. While at the lumber store, likewise buy 14-#8×1 ½” wood screws. We use brass screws in our feeders but any good wood screw will be fine for a short term feeder. Also buy four ¼” x 20 x 3″ carriage bolts, matching wing nuts and washers. These are used to attach the legs to the trough. Once the lumber is home, it’s time to build the vee shaped trough. Cut your 1×8 into 2-36″ lengths. Leave one piece it is full 7¼” width and rip the other to 6 ½”. Take the remaining two feet of the 1×8 and rip it to 3 ¾” in width. This piece of lumber will have to be cut into two triangles with a miter saw. Since these four pieces of lumber get attached to one another at their edges, screw holes must be drilled primary or the lumber will soon split. On the 1×7 1/4″x 36, drill two holes at each end 3/8″ from the end and 1 1/2″ from the sides. Along one long edge, drill six evenly spaced holes 3/8″ from the edge. On the 1×6 ½”x 36, drill two holes in each end 3/8″ from the end and 1 ½” from the sides. Take the two triangles and drill two 5/8″ diameter holes perpendicular to the short point that are located 1″ and 2 ¼” from the long flat edge. Now that the lumber has it is screw holes in place, it is time for assembly. Lay the 1×6 ½” board on a flat work bench so that one edge is close to the bench’s end. Stand the 1 x 7 ¼” on it is edge next to the 1×6 ¼ so the screw holes are nearest to the bench and aligned with the 1×6 1/4. Secure the more prominent piece of lumber to the littler one using the wood screws making sure the ends of each board align with one another. Once all the screws are in place, turn the trough over and set it on one the triangles so that the triangle sets flush with the trough’s end. It’s a good exercise to predrill the screw holes for the triangle using the holes you antecedently drilled in the long length lumber. This will keep your triangles from splitting or breaking prematurely. Attach each triangle to the trough. Drill out four 5/8″ drain holes in the trough’s vee bottom. Your trough is now finish and may be sanded if desired or left rough but we suggest a little sanding to remove any sharp edges. Now it’s time for the legs. Gather up your 2×4 and cut it to 36″ in length and rip it into two equivalent halves. Using the triangles as your guide, drill two 5/8″ holes in one end of the leg on it is center line. Each hole will be 1″ and 2 ¼” from the top of the leg respectively. Once you have done this, you may apply an exterior grade finish to the whole feeder or leave the lumber raw. We use a high grade penetrating oil finish to heighten the feeder’s beauty and add longevity to the feeder. If you utilize a finish, concede it to arid appropriately and you are now ready to set out the new feeder. To set the feeder outside, you will need to attach the legs to the trough using the carriage bolts, washers and wing nuts. Once it is assembled, it is time to set it up. Find the emplacement you desire for the feeder. See my eZineArticle “Deer Feeders and Feeding Tips – A Guide to a Safe and Enjoyable Home Hobby” for setting the feeder in a safe and proper location. For this type of feeder, you will need to dig two holes 12″ deep and 36″ apart. Once complete, stand the feeder in the holes and backfill the holes sufficient to hold the feeder. Stand back, look at the feeder and level it in all directions. Once level, exclusively backfill the holes and tamp down the fresh dirt. Fill your feeder and within a few days you will commence enjoying the deer on a regular basis. Read my antecedently brought up article with regards to safe feeding locatings and proper feeds for your deer. Enjoy and contact us with your success stories. The author, The Hurley-Byrd Bird Feeder Co. and EzineArticles.com is not liable in any way for any person(s) who builds or uses this product. By building and using this item you are accepting all indebtednesses with regards to your own personal safety in building said item and that of all other humans and property and are to a complete degree responsible in regards to all federal, state and or local laws with regards to the use of this item in any way. |
