DIY

Making a bird feeder from a gum ball machine

LaDeb — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Hey Ya'll from here in Louisiana! I am on a mission and need HELP! I bought a gumball machine on a stand from my nephew yesterday remembering that I had seen a birdfeeder made out of a pretty red gum ball machine, now don't know where I saw that. Does anybody have any ideas or has anyone else ever seen one made like that? I think it would be sooo cute! I will figure it out, but thought I would check with all you DIY'ers first for tips! Thanks, and Thank You God for Spring! La Deb

PVC Greenhouse

Pastor Mark — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Has any one ever tried to build a greenhouse from PVC pipes if so can you share how difficult or easy this was, and how successful you were with growing in this structure.

Re: hanging basket made from pvc

Pastor Mark — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT

A Big thank you to all those who are interested in my planters here are the direction, happy planting everyone.

PVC hanging planter

An attractive hanging planter can be made from PVC pipe. To create your planter, first locate a piece of 4-inch PVC pipe in the length which you want your planter, something in the area of 16 to 24 inches works well.

Next, bore 1½-inch diameter holes in the pipe at points where you want plants in it. I spaced the holes staggered in rows up and down the piece of pipe; a row of three, turn the pipe 90 degrees, then a row of two. Add another row of three and another row of two turning the pipe as you go.

Next glue an end cap onto the bottom of the pipe with regular PVC cement. Near the center of the end cap, drill three or four small holes to allow for water drainage. At the top of the pipe, drill three holes of about 1/8 inch diameter at points dividing the circumference of the pipe into thirds.

To hang the planter, you may use twine, wire, chain, or whatever you have handy. I used four small S-hooks and some light chain. Equal lengths of chain (about 12 to 14 inches) were attached to the three small holes using S-hooks. The three pieces of chain were joined at the top by the fourth hook.

You can now add soil and your plants. You may also add a watering tube to the planter if you wish. Merely take a piece of ¾-inch PVC pipe about ½ to 1 inch longer than the planter and drill several small holes up and down its length. Position the small pipe in the center of the planter as you fill it with soil. You will end up with soil packed around the hollow center tube that will permit water to evenly reach all the plants in the planter.

Re: storage building

woodlandgal_WI_zn4 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I have seen the metal ones get rusty after several years. Maybe they are better these days though.

We have a large pole shed for storage for machinery and hay with horse stalls in it, but last summer I finally got my dream come true....a potting shed made of barn boards. DH built it in two days exactly like I wanted it with shelves, a window and a potting table.

We were really lucky to have had an old barn to take down as those boards do cost alot.

Re: Postings..

kathy112445 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Can't help you with that as I'm a tech dummy!~ I know on the bird site lots of folks post pictures and I'm sure they could help you!

Re: hanging basket made from pvc

wilderness_NY_Z4 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Someone posted a picture of a planter that was made with a piece of PVC with holes drilled in it. I think he was going to use it for a strawberry planter but it wasn't hanging. Is this what you are referring to?

Re: storage building

wilderness_NY_Z4 — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I would not recommend those metal ones unless you live where there is absolutely no possibility of snow. I bought one last fall and 4" of snow collapsed part of the snow. Called the company and all they would do is sell me replacement parts at 50% off. With the 50% off it would have cost me half the price of the shed to start with. Also the want to sell you a kit to reinforce the roof for another $250. It may cost a little more to use wood but the quality is 1000 times better.

Re: storage building

kimmer58 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

We actually made one from wood pallets! It cost us not even $25.00 and that was for those plastic ripply sheets of plastic for the roof. We love it and it helps take those pallets out of the landfill.

Re: storage building

JJ93volvo — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I'd opt for the handmade wooden one. Or cinderblocks but with windows and a place to plant. Maybe a little greenhouse like so you can start plants early. And if it's close enought o the house put in electric. Measure your space and put an ad in your newspaper to get bids on it. Seems like with so many out of work you might get someone who loves this kind of work.

And if you plan ahead you can get the windows on the southern side to aid in planting. And I don't think it can ever be too big.

Maybe barn doors on each end so you can drive in the lawn mower and snow blower if you have them.

And tall enough to store Christmas in an overhead and allow for an overhang that you can sit under in bad weather.

Just have fun and plan ahead.

gazing ball

JJ93volvo — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

I wanted to put up a gazing ball but with the high winds we have, the price of the balls and the light weight of the balls

I was thinking of trying to jazz up a bowling ball if I could find one. I thought small mirror tiles or a glossy paint.

Any ideas?

Re: gazing ball

wilderness_NY_Z4 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Janis check this one out.

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Backyard-Projects/Small-Garden-Projects/-Strike-ing--Yard-Art

hanging basket made from pvc

poppyfly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Could any one help me with directions to a hanging flower container made from 4" pvc. It was in Birds and Blooms magazine a few years ago. I put it up so I would"nt lose it and guess what? Any Help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

Re: storage building

Cricket in — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Hi aturle2u: I totally agree w/ you.

we need to have the shed , be build similar to our house design also same kind of siding.

[quote user="aturtle2u"] The main reason is you can make it custom for your needs with the right shelving, work benches and even maybe a small covered area in front to sit or park your mowers when your working in the shed. [/quote]

now my dh is taking lots of outdoor equipment down the stairs to the basement.

He is not too handy, so I am thinking a home lumber company could have one that is similat to our style home and have them deliver the shed, and make sure it is grounded to the ground. , due to winds.

I like your idea, he could build the shelve inside like he wants, & of course a window. and maybe even a skylight.

maybe I could surprise him for his B-day ,or better yet Valentine's Day.

Re: storage building

aturtle2u — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Hi cboomerocoa, The metal ones are cheap but from my experience once they are made they are hard to move and bend easy. They do the job. I may be a bit biased in this, but I feel the wood ones are better. ( I make them) The main reason is you can make it custom for your needs with the right shelving, work benches and even maybe a small covered area in front to sit or park your mowers when your working in the shed. Some people don't like windows in them, but I prefer windows as they let in light and on most days you do not need an energy source. That is why my work bench is right under the window. Of course budget has a lot to do with it, but if you want to get plenty of use out of it I would consider building it yourself. It is not really that hard. There are lots of good books on how-to on the market. Good luck on which ever you choose.

Postings..

aturtle2u — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Is there a way to add pictures to the post..If there is I could not figure it out.

storage building

cboomerocoa — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

we've got too much gardening equipment so were trying to decide if we should build our own shed, or buy one of those metal ones you see all over, we've already got a space next to the garage thats all blacktopped so its going there ! we'd sure like some suggestions from all on which is better and is the do it yourself one worth all those loud disscusions that husbands and wifes have when you take on a project Ha ! Ha ! any advice would be welcome

football helmet bird feeder

indyman — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT

In your Dec/Jan '10 page 24, there are a couple of football helmet birdfeeders. I would like to know if "Donald Monroe (Janesville,WI)" would like to share the plans of these birdhouses. If anyone else has them and would like to share, I would deeply appreciate it ! THANKS, INDYMAN

old articles

cboomerocoa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Please dig out your old trusty copies,need Oct/Nov 2003"Enchanted Forest is a Work of Art,Page 47,help it's driving me nuts I just have to reread this. thanks

Re: OK, there are enuf of us here. What are you doing?

cove2700 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

[quote user="Cricket in"]I can almost see the sprouts [/quote]

Those sprouts are now 6" tall & I cut them today for the first time. Filling in nicely & the spots that are still bare will fill in from this new growth I think.

Re: Any suggestions for bath & shower tiles

JJ93volvo — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Hi Cricket. It sounds likea good idea that you have to improve the bathroom. I did some in our new home since the builder didn't fifish. LOL

I collected the trim pieces when they were on clearance as they are the most cost. I also got the grout on clearance in broken bags as they are fifty % off.The same goes for the other components. Walk thru your Lowes and look for clearance in the bath department. Also keep your eyes open for facets that are clearanced. The best time is when they do a reset as it sometimes goes to 90% off. If I were doing the shower part i would not leave a wide grout space and use a colored grout. Also have to make sure if your tiles are finished. Another expense is the bull nose tiles needed for the floor.

Another good place to get a discount tile was habitat for humanity restore. I bought boxes there and used then as the piece that goes on the wall from the floor. I also got good with cutting. It;s like glass when you score it you can break it.

You also want to seal your grout. It was a great feeling of accomplishment when I was done.