Orange Star Feeder Platform

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Materials:

4' x 4' x ½" thick external grade plywood with one side finished.

Tools for Layout:

A wooden yardstick or a similar–sized piece of scrap wood
Finishing nails
A drill with a bit slightly smaller than the nails

Layout of the star shape:

Draw a line through the center of the board and parallel to one edge. Locate a point on this line 26" from one end. This will be the center of the star. Locate point #2 on the line 1" from the same end. Drill a whole ¼" deep at each location. Drill two holes 25" apart through the stick and tap in two nails with their points protruding ¼". Scribe a 25" radius circle with hole #1 as the center. Parts of the circle will be beyond the edge of the plywood. Make a second compass with points 29 3/8" apart. Starting at hole #2, step off five 29 3/8"chords around the circle, ending up back at hole #2, thus locating the five points of the star. Connect alternate points with a straight line to form the outline of the star.

Finishing:

After cutting out the star shape, cut about 1" off the sharp edges with a file. Apply a wood sealer and two coats of bright orange enamel.

The clear plastic roof:

Buy a 18" x 24" x 1/32" thick piece of lexan at a builders supply store, cut out an 18" diameter circle, mount the circle on a single post 6" above the center of the feeder. Make the roof easily removable in dry weather.

The platform support:

A portable feeder can be made by attaching 3 tubular legs, 6' long or more. In a location accessible to the public, mount the star 7'–8' above the ground on a sturdy post. Be sure to put the finished side of the plywood upward.