Sickle Moon Feeder

Make this striking bird feeder out of metal, wire and glass.

What you will Need
Metal sheeting (see cutting list)
Galvanised wire (see cutting list)
Glass (see cutting list)
Flux
Solder
Silicone
Glue/metal putty
U-bolt

Cutting List
2 x 575 mm galvanised wire (outer curve)
2 x 385 mm galvanised wire (inner curve)
4 x 50 mm galvanised wire (supports)
2 x 90 mm galvanised wire (long supports)
2 x glass moon shapes (cut later to fit your frame)
1 x 580 x 52 mm metal sheet,  flat and galvanised (for outer rim of moon)
1 x 430 x 52 mm metal sheet, flat and galvanised (for inner rim of moon)
1 x 10 x 50 mm metal sheet, flat and galvanised (seed hole guard)

Tools
Tin snips, tape measure, file, blowtorch,safety gloves and goggles, 30 mm hole saw and drill, G-clamp, blade

Steps

1.Cut the galvanised wire and metal sheeting to size as per the cutting list.

2.Place the outer and inner curve pieces of wire together, bending them to create the shape of a sickle moon. Dip the ends of the wire in flux and apply the blowtorch flame to the wire. Solder the ends together to create a moon shape. Repeat for the other frame. Note: Do not work with the blowtorch unless you have put on safety goggles to protect your eyes and gloves to protect your hands.

3.Position the supports in the sickle moon frames (on both sides) and solder them in place in the same manner as above.

4.File all joins so that there are no protruding metal points on the wire or solder that may crack or break the glass.

5.Bend the outer metal sheeting strip around the frame and solder in place all along the curve. Paint flux onto the join, apply the flame to the frame and sheeting and then use solder to bond the surfaces together. Remember not to touch the metal before it has cooled down after soldering. Repeat until the metal strip is firmly attached to the frame on all sides.

6.Take your feeder frame to a glass supplier and get them to cut two pieces of glass to fit into it, for sides.

7.Mark on the inner metal strip where you want to make the feeding hole (ours was 75 mm from the end of the strip). Place a scrap piece of wood on your workbench, lay your sheet metal on top of it and hold it in place with a G-clamp. Use a hole saw to drill a hole in the metal.

8.Place the strip of metal you cut for a seed hole guard around the hole so that it forms a ring and solder it onto the inner strip.

9.Solder the inner strip to the frame, starting at the bottom, but stop a quarter of the way, leaving enough space to slide the glass moon into the frame.

10.Place the feeder on a flat surface. Apply silicone to the frame, where the glass will touch it, and slide the glass carefully into place. When the silicone has dried, flip the feeder over and repeat for the second piece of glass. Clean up excess silicone with a blade, cutting it away. Be careful not to scratch the glass.

11.Glue or putty the last three-quarters of the inner metal strip in place. Avoid soldering here as the heat may crack the glass. Glue or putty a U-bolt or hook to the top of the feeder from which to hang it.

12.Fill your new feeder with wild bird seed (pouring it through the feeding hole), turn the feeder the right way up and hang it in a visible part of the garden for your feathered friends to enjoy.