# Suet feeders for birds: Clip-on cedar cup feeder [View illustrated instructions](https://diyplans.org/plans/suet-feeders/variants/clip-on) [Plan and other configurations](https://diyplans.org/plans/suet-feeders.md) A small blind cedar cup attached to a wooden spring clothespin. ## License [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). You may share and adapt this free design for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credit, a link to the license, an indication of changes, and the same license on adaptations. See [the FAQ](https://diyplans.org/faq#license) for details and exceptions. Revision: 1 Status: published Difficulty: intermediate ## Before you start - Use only sound untreated wood. Wear eye protection, clamp round stock in a V-block, and use a drill depth stop. - Dimensions are in inches. These CAD assemblies have not been physically built or load-tested. Purchased hardware is schematic; measure it before drilling. - Choose a secure support and rated hanging hardware for the finished feeder. Keep the feeder accessible for inspection and cleaning. - Use a 2 in cup with a 1 in bore, 1 3/8 in outside diameter, and 3/16 in walls. - The wooden spring clothespin is a purchased part, shown nominally 3 1/4 in long. Its jaws and spring are schematic. Match the screw position to the actual jaw without drilling the spring. - The cavity opens downwards as drawn. A 1 in thick top plug provides screw embedment; use a 3/4 in screw and confirm it cannot enter the feed cavity. ## Dimensions - Cedar cup length: 2 in - Cedar cup outside diameter: 1 3/8 in - Feed cavity diameter: 1 in - Feed cavity depth: 1 in - Cup wall thickness: 3/16 in ## Shopping list Stock for one complete feeder of this configuration; allowances included where noted. - 1 piece: Untreated cedar dowel or turned blank, 1-3/8 in diameter x at least 3 in - 1 piece: Wooden spring clothespin, About 3-1/4 in long; sound wood - 1 piece: Exterior pan-head wood screw, #6 x 3/4 in ### Required installation supplies - Choose a support that the actual clothespin grips securely. ## Materials in the model Individual CAD parts including schematic purchased hardware. Small fasteners and chain are in the shopping list. - Cedar 1 3/8 in diameter x 2 in: 1 installed pieces - Purchased wooden spring clothespin; nominal 3 1/4 in: 2 installed pieces - Existing clothespin spring; simplified: 1 installed pieces - #6 x 3/4 in exterior screw; schematic: 1 installed pieces Not quantified: - Suet and cleaning supplies. ## Tools and equipment - Tape measure, square, pencil and center punch - Saw suitable for wood and selected metal hardware - Drill, V-block and clamps, 1 in boring bit and depth stop - Pilot bits and screwdriver for selected hardware - Sandpaper and deburring file ## Instructions ### 1. Cut and mark the cedar cup - Cut an untreated cedar blank to 2 in long and 1-3/8 in outside diameter. - Mark the center on both end faces. Mark the lower end as the feeding opening. - Reject splits that cross the cup wall or the upper attachment area. Check: Reject splits that cross the cup wall or the upper attachment area. ![Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for clip-on cedar cup feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-layout/layout.png?brand=1) Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for clip-on cedar cup feeder. ### 2. Bore the feed cavity - Clamp the blank in a V-block with the lower end facing the bit. - Use a 1 in bit and a depth stop to drill exactly 1 in into the lower end. Leave the upper 1 in solid. - Smooth the rim and remove loose splinters. The remaining side wall is 3/16 in thick. Check: Smooth the rim and remove loose splinters. The remaining side wall is 3/16 in thick. ![Bore the feed cavity. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-bore-cup/bore-cup.png?brand=1) Bore the feed cavity. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 3. Fit the clothespin - Choose a sound wooden spring clothespin. Open and close it before drilling. - Hold the upper end of the cup beneath the lower jaw, clear of the spring and gripping end. Mark a centered screw clearance hole through that jaw only. - Drill the jaw clearance hole. Drill a pilot into the center of the solid cup top, sized for the selected #6 screw. Check: Drill the jaw clearance hole. Drill a pilot into the center of the solid cup top, sized for the selected #6 screw. ![Fit the clothespin. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-prepare-clip/prepare-clip.png?brand=1) Fit the clothespin. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 4. Attach the cup - Drive a #6 x 3/4 in exterior screw through the lower jaw into the cup top. - Tighten gently so the jaw does not split. Confirm that the screw tip stays clear of the feeding cavity. - Operate the clip and check that the upper jaw clears the screw head. Check: Operate the clip and check that the upper jaw clears the screw head. ![Attach the cup. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-attach-cup/attach-cup.png?brand=1) Attach the cup. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 5. Clip the feeder in place - Press suet into the blind cavity. Hold the cup with its opening downwards as shown. - Clip to a firm, sheltered support where the spring grips securely. Check the grip before releasing the feeder. - Remove old suet and clean the cup before refilling. Replace a cracked cup, weak spring, or loose jaw. Check: The clip grips securely and the feed cavity remains clear of the screw. ![Complete clip-on cedar cup feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-overview/overview.png?brand=1) Complete clip-on cedar cup feeder. ## Drawings and views ![Complete clip-on cedar cup feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-overview/overview.png?brand=1) Complete clip-on cedar cup feeder. ![Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for clip-on cedar cup feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-layout/layout.png?brand=1) Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for clip-on cedar cup feeder. ![Bore the feed cavity. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-bore-cup/bore-cup.png?brand=1) Bore the feed cavity. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Fit the clothespin. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-prepare-clip/prepare-clip.png?brand=1) Fit the clothespin. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Attach the cup. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-attach-cup/attach-cup.png?brand=1) Attach the cup. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Clip-on cedar cup feeder front three-quarter view.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-gallery-hero/hero.jpg?brand=1) Front three-quarter view. ![Clip-on cedar cup feeder opposite three-quarter view.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-gallery-angle/angle.jpg?brand=1) Opposite three-quarter view. ![Clip-on cedar cup feeder spring clamp and log connection.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/image-gallery-detail/detail.jpg?brand=1) Spring clamp and log connection. ## Downloads - [Editable FreeCAD assembly](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-freecad/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-model.FCStd): FCStd, 6370 bytes, file revision 1. Editable FreeCAD assembly for clip-on cedar cup feeder. SHA-256: e0b3780e953f19230c656b33d21ef64ecc3d5cd27a7c20eb9b9ec586b51f89a3 - [STEP exchange assembly](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-step/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-model.step): STEP, 24607 bytes, file revision 1. STEP exchange assembly for clip-on cedar cup feeder. SHA-256: d7ae544434d053b597dee499cce798ed2a7c4d18ef9b9673482de7e0b4e80776 - [Shopping list](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-shopping-list/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-shopping-list.csv): CSV, 574 bytes, file revision 1. Shopping list for clip-on cedar cup feeder. SHA-256: d4608beb85892e6a5536d1c64e6787f8334de3ddd2e6d7906e0f5027450f5e4e - [Cut list](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-cut-list/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-cut-list.csv): CSV, 132 bytes, file revision 1. Cut list for clip-on cedar cup feeder. SHA-256: 1134a6f40bd7804ac167508351c9256523222fdd21dfbfb7abcfd8a67b0bc78d - [CAD and materials package](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-package/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-package.zip): ZIP, 736286 bytes, file revision 1. The sanitized CAD models, Blender scene, shopping list and cut list. Read the instructions and drawings on this page. SHA-256: 3cb3dbcc6f015cb2a920ab3abc37cf1d6238d8e645ad13e297fba83c8446e2d2 - [Blender scene](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/1d79933b6a4b460820d9117f4971be3cebc16b17621921b8138477463a292bb5/download-blender-gallery/suet-feeders-for-birds-clip-on-cedar-cup-feeder-r1-scene.blend): BLEND, 2156495 bytes, file revision 1. Editable assembly meshes, simple materials, three cameras and studio lights. The gallery images show the separately rendered wood finish. SHA-256: d57f232cec2bf3cf4dc5382ab6cf35ab73fa0bf944875b978a03a0c72a28a710 ## Using the CAD files - Open model.FCStd in FreeCAD. Parts are separately labeled and carry stock descriptions. - Open model.step for an exchange assembly in CAD software. - Edit the native CAD model to change dimensions. Purchased hardware shapes are schematic, and changes require checking fit and remaking the schedules. ## Sources Functional dimensions informed by the cited Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife woodworking sheet. CAD, instructions, schedules and illustrations authored for DIY Plans. - [WDFW Suet Feeders for Birds](https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/suet_feeders.pdf)