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The original design of the "mansion" was for Western Bluebirds by
Linda Violett from CA. She used these as hanging boxes from trees.
We have adapted them to the Eastern Bluebird using a box mounted on a pole with
a predator guard (Ron
Kingston's design using an 8" x 2' stove pipe.) The design of
this box is detailed below:

- Cut
all the parts as shown. The
sides have ¼" slots for venting.
Note that each side has two ¾" pieces protruding above the
slots for mounting the roof.
- Assemble
the back, two sides and floor. Floor
should be recessed 1" above the bottom of the box.
I use SS screws for assembly and I pre-drill holes for the screws.
- Make
sure the front fits in between the sides.
Shave it or plane it down so it fits nicely and without any
resistance.
- Glue
the guard to the front with the tops even, then make the entrance holes.
Center the holes as follows: draw a horizontal line 2-3/4" below
the top, and find two points 2-3/8" from the sides of the guard. These are the centers of the two entrance holes.
I use a Forstner bit, 1-9/16" diameter to make these two holes
(1-1/2" size is fine also.)
- Make
grooves inside the front under the entrance holes as shown.
These are about ½" apart.
- Mark
the "hinge" screw points in the sides. These are ½" above the bottom and 3/8" from
the front face. They should
match exactly so the front will hinge down properly. Put the front in and put the two hinge screws into it.
Near the top of the front, put one more screw to hold the door shut.
- Using
waterproof glue, attach the roof to the box using four screws into the four
protruding parts of the sides. The
roof is 12" from a 1x12" nominal piece.
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