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The Woodcrafter Page© 2004 - all rights reserved.
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Bug Home
This is a very simple project.
Only adult woodcrafters should use a drill or
drill press to make the holes in this item. The
entire project is constructed from 3/4" pine
planking boards and an old coat hanger.
There are only seven (7) pieces in this project:
one bottom, one support, two ends pieces, a door,
screening, and a handle
Simply click on each of the pictures to open, or
download, a larger version. |
The actual finished item. |
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First, cut out the 8" by
3-1/2" bottom piece (A). Cut one piece to
8" by 3/4" for the top brace (B). Next,
cut out two 4-1/2" by 3-1/2" ends (C).
Now, cut off the two 45 degree bevels on each top
corner of each end. Instead, you can cut the top
of the ends as a semi-circle with a 1-3/4 radius
for a nicer final project.
There are two options for the door. For a quick
and easy door, simply use a cork to plug the
hole. For a more secure door, cut the teardrop as
shown in the drawings (D). Download the pdf file
for this project by clicking here and
print the drawings to full scale. Use the
template to cut the door out then resaw it to a
3/8" thickness.
Drill two holes through the handle 4" apart
and centered end-to-end. The diameter of these
holes should be slightly larger than the wire
used for the handle.
Drill the 2" diameter door hole into one end
piece. Mark the spot for the hole in the teardrop
door (optional) with a
pencil dot. Drill the hole into the door for a
mounting screw unless you wish to let the Jr.
Woodcrafter drill the hole. The door screw should
be 1" long round head screw and the hole in
the door should be a little snug yet allow the
door to be opened.
Cut a piece of nylon screen to 10" by
8-3/4" and test fit it on one of the end
pieces.
Finally, cut a 10" length from a heavy wire
clothes hanger for the handle (E). Bed the wire
into a 'U' shape with two 3" sides and a
4" top. |
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The Jr Woodcrafter will need a
hand drill and the proper size bits if you did
not complete the drilling. Now all your Junior
Woodcrafter needs is the seven project pieces,
the directions, one 1" round head screw (optional door), a screwdrive, 45
tacks, ten finishing nails (points
slightly dulled), a hammer, a hand drill,
a pair of pliers, one drill bit, one sheet of 150
grit sandpaper, a really cool workshop apron
small enough for kids, and safety goggles. |
Construction. |
1. Apply glue to one end of the
bottom (A) then place one end piece (C) against
the end of the bottom.
2. Stand the pieces up and nail the end to the
base.
3. Apply glue to other end of the bottom (A) then
place the other end piece (C) against the end of
the bottom.
4. Stand the pieces up and nail the end to the
base.
5. Apply glue to both ends of the top brace (B). |
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6. Position the brace (B)
between the ends with the holes pointing up. Keep
it flush with the top of the ends.
7. Nail the brace to each end. |
8. Drill the screw hole into the
door with the drill and bit provided.
9. Position the door over the hole in the end and
use the round head screw to attach the door. The
screw should be snug but not too tight..
10. Use tacks to attach the screen to the house.
Space the tacks about 1" apart.
11. Tack one edge of the screen to the edge of
the bottom. Do not hammer the tacks to deep or
the will break off.
12. Tack the screen up to the top support.
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13. Push the wire handle through
the holes in the top brace.
14. Use the pliers to bend over about 1/4"
of the handle wire.
15. Tack down the rest of the screen to the other
side
16. Decorate the ends with acrylic paints. |
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* * * Click on any picture above to
download a higher resolution picture. * * * * |
*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety
before building this item.
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