Swap Boxes and a Squirrel Nesting Box

 The Swap Boxes are from the Early Days

The One and Only Squirrel Nesting Box

I can tell it's my first Swap Box... the hinges are visible on the outside.

And I soon switched to plexiglass doors. Ahhh... the Early Days

Introduction:

Squirrels have, on occasion, been the bane of my existence : )

They were always a nuisance when I had a bird feeder or two in the back yard. My wife likes to remind me that I tossed a lovely tiled trivet (her gift to me) out the back window one winter's morn to chase a squirrel off the feeder.

Squirrel and trivet survived. Note slight damage, lower left corner : )

"I wasn't trying to chase it," I'll say. "I was trying to knock it out!"

So, I built a nesting box for wood-working experience only... for someone who lived far away.

One of my first swap boxes went far away as well, to Ottawa, and was featured in a new's story there. I said I was available for a full-length TV interview but I never heard back. The second went to a friend's house a few blocks away.

Photos follow from The Workshop:

More photographs from The Workshop will follow.

Please link to A Fine Batch of Cedar Houses

Photos GH

Swap Boxes on CBC Radio

Ontario Morning with Wei Chen

Woke up this morning listening to CBC Radio and heard Wei Chen mention a 'little free library' on someone's front lawn in Kingston. Yeh, I know about those things.

My ears perked up when she said, "There's a guy in London who makes small boxes for tiny things." 

Yeh, Swap Boxes, you know what I'm talking about.

I have two Swap Boxes and one Little Free Library already on order. Spring is coming, and I'll be busy again in the workshop. Cool.

Link to Swap Boxes

Photos GH

The Workshop - Mailbox and More

There's Christmas, Then March

Trim and letters fit nicely. I even spelled M-A-I-L correctly after a few near misses. I will attach the lid next, w trim as well. 'Twill all be done well before Christmas.

As well, during a recent birdhouse sale someone ordered a new swap box, to be built and installed in time for spring. I therefore have a wee project to keep me busy in February. Cool. I like that.

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH

The Workshop

Swap Box Details

I took a few final photos of the last swap box to leave the shop (on Friday) because a person recently asked for instructions re how to build one. I don't mind others using my design, but a lot of words and photos are required to do justice to the amount of work ahead for a sincere inquirer.

Why, there's the base, two sides, a back, a roof, four pieces for the face, four pieces for the door. Then there's the platform and support collar, the metal pole and ground anchor. And don't forget the plexiglass, hinges, door pull and latch. Oh, and five pieces of signage and some stuff to swap.

Have at it, I say!

Material list, measurements, colours and conditions vary, depending on one's mood. So, stay cheerful out there!

: )

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH

The Workshop

Last Swap Box?

I spent a lot of time in August and September with my feet planted in front of my workbench because there is a lot of sketching, measuring, cutting, sanding, assembling, painting and fussing related to building a long line up of swap boxes. So, I was pretty happy yesterday when a client from Strathroy popped by to pick up the last one from the set I'd made.

Yay!

Link to The Workshop

Photo GH

The Workshop

Work in Progress

The shell of a 'little free library' waits for its component parts, some (e.g., bits of the roof and batten) sitting to the right. All in good time, I say. Once the face, door, floor, shelf and roof are attached the box will start looking more like a book bin.

["Let's face it. The library really needs a door"]

But first, I'll make some room for myself by assembling three $10 birdhouses and moving them out of the workshop and onto a waiting shelf in the basement. That process always feels good.

Better still, yesterday I carried a finished swap box out the door (and into safe storage, to escape the dust before pickup).

Dusty times continue right after breakfast and a second cup of coffee.

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH

The Workshop

Fussy Doors

["Palm chisels (right) come to the rescue"] 

Most tasks related to building a swap box move along at an easy pace. Cut, sand, assemble, paint, add signage. Easy kap-easy.

But doors are fussy. Cut plexiglass. Assemble all the wee bits. Line up the hinges. Chisel nice grooves.

["All lined up. But where are the itty-bitty screws?']

So far, I don't think there is an easier kap-easier way.

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH

Zoom w a View

Swap Box 'Open fer Business'

I checked the angle, straightened things out and applied two screws to the support bar on London's latest swap box.

Kurious kids should now have a bit more fun in SE London.

Link to Zoom w a View

Photos GH

The Workshop

Four Swap Boxes

Today I add hardware to four doors and get on with painting and attaching signage.

Things are moving along well in the shop.

Link to The Workshop

Photos GH