FNG from Michigan

[DBMASH]

I just joined today and in no way can be considered a woodworker in any way, form or fashion. I built a birdhouse last year and am still waiting for birds to move in. I watch and it's always the same. Two birds fly up, newlyweds no doubt, and they look at my birdhouse. After a second or two, they look at each other, laugh, and then fly off. The laughing is the hard part. Not that I blame them. I found out recently that the neighbors had a pool going on. The one who came closest to identifying what it is I built, wins the pool. It's now going on eight months and no one has won the pool. Now that hurts! My wife entered and she didn't even win and she saw me working on it. I'm pretty sure I told her what it was too! Oh well. At least the scars are starting to fade a little. I do miss the fingers though.
Dennis

[Plaquerd]

Dennis
Welcome to the group. You should fit right in with a sense of humor like you have. How hard is it to type minus the fingers?
Just check out some of the different forums and ask questions, you will be making "good" saw dust in no time.

[PuzzledMoose]

Welcome to the group, Dennis - sitting grinning here at your post....

My first attempt at a bird feeder was a bit of a disaster - looked great (well so I thought ... ) and some birds even ventured near it for a nibble... That was until it fell apart... that's when i found that waterproof glue is a good idea for outdoor projects ..

Then there was the adironack chair which is still sitting prodly in my basement. No problem with the glue - I'd discovered waterproof glue by then. Unfortunately I hadn't measured the width of the door out of the basement ...

I'm much safer sticking to small indoor projects that are turned or scrollsawed ..

[Jim Finn]

"Two birds fly up, newlyweds no doubt, and they look at my birdhouse. After a second or two, they look at each other, laugh, and then fly off."
Often folks make the opening in their first birdhouse to large. 1 1/8" round is good for most birds. There is a site that will give you aprox demensions for various bird house projects. Do a search and you will be amazed at how specific they are and how well getting it right works. Try here: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/w...s/holesize.htm

[Mike Crosa]

Welcome to the group, you will fit right in.

[JohnB]

G'day Dennis,
I'm having a good chuckle over your bird house saga.
Welcome to a great group and I look forward to episode 2

[FRETDUST]

Hi Dennis
Again welcome to the group. I too Am from Mi. Mount Pleasant. Was wondering were we can get in on the money pool thing *L*

Steve in Mi.

[AKAkopa]

Welcome to the group. Will become a Michigander (coming back home!) once more next month when my move is complete. Seems to be several of us on here.

[FRETDUST]

Might have to start a Michigan picnic.

[workin for wood]

Yep, 1 in 5 from Michigan is my guess. Economy is so bad non of us can afford to go anywhere, so we all hang out here after building our own dog houses. Be great if our Governor runs for VP with Clinton...then everyone else can share our curse.

I have a store bought bird house and the birds don't use it even though I have huge populations of birds out there. Last year I build a mega bat condo to proper specs and installed in proper location, but still haven't found any proof of habitation yet.

Anyhow, welcome to the group!

Fret...if anyone had the location and true ability to run a real scroll saw picnic it would be Johnson's Workbench in Charlotte. If you really wanted one bad, I'd get their opinion on it. Get yourself a good little sales pitch going. Perfect location, not just building but central to the state. Most well known lumber and tool distributor in the state. They already do a wood expo in September, perhaps they'd mix in a scroll picnic at the same time and make it a super mega bash. I bet they bring in at least 10 thousand visitors during their open house/wood expo over 3 days.