Pickle Jar Bird Feeder

The following project is a bird feeder made from a pickle jar and a 3D printed lid but unlike a typical feeder that hangs from a branch or hook this one is designed to attach to a firm surface such as the side of a wall or a post.

Filament: PLA+ Green

Pickle Jar with 70mm (dia) opening and 10mm high rim or some other suitable container with a compatible rim diameter and screw thread.

70 mm silicone jar seal rings 

2 x M4 X 12mm machine screws to attach flat vertical mount (FVM), to the Vblock if required.

2 x cable ties (5mm width max), length to enable it to be attached to the chosen post.

M4 x 40mm bolt and nut/wing nut. (alternatively Clevis Pin/Cotter Pin/Hair Pin/Dowel Pin arrangement)

Where cable tie fixings are not used, M4 screws of other lengths will be required subject to the support material.

May prove more cost effective to buy a range of values rather than individual values unless you already have them available. Some components may also have a MOL greater than the quantity specified in the component list.

Tools

3D Printer

Needle files

Sanding Paper

Screwdriver or Allen keys

Cutters

4mm drill bit

Drill

Know your tools and follow the recommended operational procedures and be sure to wear the appropriate PPE.

No affiliation to any of the suppliers used in this project, feel free to use your preferred suppliers and substitute the elements were appropriate to your own preference or subject to supply.

Links valid at the time of publication.

The 3D printed elements were designed using BlocksCAD and consist of the following 3 parts:

1: Lid with integral perch and opening. (Dimensions 129(L) x 78(W) x 52(H) mm), jar opening 70mm diameter.

2: Flat vertical mount (Dimensions 40(L) x 64(W) x 30(H) mm)

3: Vblock. (Dimensions 30(L) x 64(W) x 30(H) mm)

Rather than a completely threaded lid interior the thread is formed from four 10mm ridges with a 5 degree slope with one mounted at each of the four main cardinal points.

At the location were the rim of the jar meets the stop in the lid, a ridge is created which will accomodate an O-ring to produce a seal to reduce the ingress of rain water entering around the jar to lid rim interface.

The roof of the lid is inclinded at an angle of 10 degrees, both to ensure feed does not sit at the back but gravitates to the front of the feeder and for any moisture to run to the front to exit via a drain.

The feed access opening has an internal cowl and In conjunction with this a dome sits in the centre to manage the flow of feed.

Print Details.

Filament: PLA+ Green

Layer Height: 0.15mm

Infill: Tri Hexagon

Infill Density: 70%*

Shell Wall count: 5*

Base Adhesion: Skirt

No supports

*Infill Density and Shell wall count are a compromise between strength and durability for external use coupled with print time. Keeping cavities small and moving them closer to the centre of the model with thicker walls and a lower print time whilst maintaining robustness.

However, for ultimate strength using an infill density of 100% results in much longer print times.

Print Time with these settings.

Feeder Lid: ~12Hrs

Flat vertical mount: ~3Hrs

Vblock: ~5Hrs

Print times may vary from those listed due to variations in hardware, software and other settings. 

For longterm use utilise certified compliant food safe materials and practices regarding the filament, nozzle, bed and application of surface coatings etc.

The elements in the files are orientated as they will be printed. 

Some sanding may be required to remove surface aberrations and widening of openings for the screws.

Assembly of the mounting elements are dependant upon how the bird feeder will be mounted.

1: Mounting on a flat surface.

Identify the mounting location, mark the holes (3 holes are provided) through to the underlaying surface, use 2 or 3 as required and fix in place with M4 screws.

2: On a corner.

Option 1:

Identify the mounting location, identify the Vblock middle two holes and mark through to the underlaying surface and fix in place with 2 x M4 screws of suitable length to suit the material.

Option 2:

Identify the mounting location, identify the Vblock side holes and mark through to the underlaying surface and fix in place with 2 x M4 x 25mm max. screws of suitable length to suit the material.

For either option fix the flat vertical mount (FVM) to the Vblock using the two outer holes on the FVM with 2 x M4 x 12mm machine screws.

Concerning the previous options It may be required to drill holes and fit plugs of suitable length and type in the supporting material

3: On a post

Using one of the side slots in the Vblock push a cable tie of suitable length from the back through to the front. With the flat side of the FVM facing the Vblock continue to push the cable tie through the slot in the FVM that aligns with the Vblock. Continue to push the cable tie on through the centre and out through the side slot in the FVM. Push the cable tie through the aligned slot in the Vblock until it protrudes from the back of the Vblock.

Repeat the process with the second cable tie.

Adjust the cable ties for equal length and press the FVM against the Vblock.

Fix the FVM to the Vblock using the two outer holes on the FVM with 2 x M4 x 12mm machine screws.

Align the Vblock on the post and tighten the cable ties.

Finally fit the silicone jar ring into the inner rim in the lid.

Wash the jar in warm soapy water and leave to soak in the water until the label begins to lift at the edges then slowly peel it off. Any stubborn areas can be left to soak a little longer and failing this removed with a non abrasive scourer.

This is assuming the adhesive is water soluble, if not you may have to resort to scraping with a sharp blade or chemical treatment with acetone.

Fill the jar with a suitable bird feed (suet pellets in this case), and attach the lid to the jar.

In all cases and with a jar in the inverted position align the two slots on the back of the feeder lid and slide over the FVM, when fully seated it will come to rest on the stop.

Through the 6mm hole passing through these two elements fix in place with an M4 x 40mm machine bolt/ wing nut or alternative options such as Clevis Pin/Cotter Pin/Hair Pin/Dowel Pin.

If using a bolt ensure the head of the bolt has a diameter greater than 6mm or if not fit a suitable washer to prevent the bolt falling through the hole.

When it comes time to refill the feeder, no need to remove the FVM or Vblock; simply remove the nut and bolt and slide the feeder up and off the mount.

All that remains is to see how many different varieties of birds are attracted to your feeder.

But be patient it may take a little time for the birds to be attracted to something new and unfamiliar.