new T-14, come on PM's!

[bacato]

We all enjoy new house pictures, so here's a few of my latest project. I've slowly spent my spare time over the last couple of months building a new PM house. Thanks to all of the information found on the forum and advice from other members, I'm now a T-14 owner. I started by joining the PCMA and ordering the plans last fall, then the aluminum pole and winch kit.

Several weeks back I picked a nice day and set the ground stake:


After a few trips to Lowe's picking suitable cedar, several hours with the table saw and scroll saw for the door openings, here are the four completed main sections. Notice the white headed screws - stainless steel white 1-5/8" "Swan Secure" fasteners:


The season is clearly changing. I've been noticing the hundreds of goldfinches passing through devouring the thistle, the red-wing blackbirds are eating suet, the bluebirds are becoming more and more active around the houses. The scouting reports are indicating PM's in my area - so I decided today was the day to stand the pole and house up:


I just noticed in the wide angle shot above you can't see the crescent holes. Oh well - you may notice I don't have the pretty trim on tops of the roofs - I covered the roofs with some old aluminum flashing I had to keep it rain proof and possibly act as a radiant barrier. The aluminum flashing was somewhat oxidized and I didn't worry with removing that because I know it will only be a matter of time before its covered in bluebird and PM poop.

I have the nesting trays built and have collected some soft pine straw. Now I just need to brush up on my nest building skills.

Next project: S&S trap.

[D'Nese]

WOW very nice house. We too will be adding another T14 house with gourds hanging under. few questions. What did you use for the center to hold the sections on? Where did you get your pole? We have a T14 with round pole and this will be our new addition. I must say, I love the cedar.

[Glynn B - LA]

That is one beautiful martin house. I know you must be proud and the martins, I'm sure will be thankful. Have a great season.





Glynn

[bacato]

Thanks for the kind comments.

D'nese: I ordered the 3" square aluminum pole kit, winch/mounting kit from the PMCA store. It's pricey, but its very high quality, glad I ordered it. There are some plastic glide blocks (included in the pole kit) that screw into the back of the two 4 section houses that allow the assembly to slide up/down the pole easily. I modified the design a bit - I used some 1/8" aluminum angle to hold the 4 house sections together (its on the outside of the assembled unit). I didn't use the treated wood blocks on the back side, with the stud/wing nut on the inside of the house.

[Don Strickland]

Very nice job bacato. Looks great. Now all you gotta do is fill it with Martins.

[rrmartins]

Very nice T14, how did you vent it? I'm sure the martins will love it.

[bacato]

It's not vented yet - future enhancement - looking for the best option.

[rrmartins]

The little 2" round ones are very easy to install, and can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot. Good Luck.

[D'Nese]

rrmartins shows it best. That is the exact way we've done as well. They are getting harder and harder to find. So good hunting.

Thanks for the info, we purchased what I believe is very similar to what the PMCA sells and I know exactly what little blocks you are talking about. Yes, expensive but I feel you spend the money in the front part and won't have to redo anything later or God forbid have a pole snap in half from weakness.

Beautiful house and it's a great investment.

Hey Don, how is your t14 coming???

[tor]

You must have used the same plans as I did for this year. I used Clinger entrances, and porches that I routed out to go outside the entrances.

[rrmartins]

You can find them at most sheetmetal shops also, should be pretty easy to find. Love all the T14s guys, they all look great, and the martins love them.

[D'Nese]

here is a look at our t14, they are awesome houses

[rrmartins]

here is a look at our t14, they are awesome houses

Love yours. I sure wish I had your camera also, I just might have to get me a nice camera this year.

[D'Nese]

Sorry, here's a closer image of it

[rrmartins]

Hope you have a better year bacato, gotta feed them sparrows lead, they love it.

[bacato]

Those are also some nice looking T-14's. Love your color choice 'tor' !!!!

[Dave Reynolds]

bacato --
Great job.. Looks really good. Any chance you can post a picture of the aluminum angle mounted on the backs of the houses, what a great idea.

D'Nese -- Love the Owl guards and the paint job,,

rrmartins and Tor -- the birds will love you all for putting up such a great looking house. May every one have a wonderful year..

Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio

[bacato]

Hope you have a better year bacato, gotta feed them sparrows lead, they love it.

No kidding, last year I didn't close my house down until I shot one of the sparrows with the .22 - if for no other reason, it's good to get out in your yard and shoot guns periodically, just to remind the neighbors that you might be a little crazier than they are.

[bacato]

bacato --
Any chance you can post a picture of the aluminum angle mounted on the backs of the houses, what a great idea.
Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio

Here you go Dave - 4 pieces of angle like this hold the whole assembly together:

[Dave Reynolds]

bacato --

Thanks so much for the picture of the aluminum angle, I'm impressed.

Good luck and have a great season this year...
Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio