# Suet feeders for birds: Slatted column feeder [View illustrated instructions](https://diyplans.org/plans/suet-feeders/variants/slatted-column) [Plan and other configurations](https://diyplans.org/plans/suet-feeders.md) A round cedar feeding column under a wide roof and a ring of cedar slats. ## 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. - The drawing calls for 13/16 in slat spacing without a count. This version uses 32 evenly spaced slats at 11.25-degree centers on a 5 3/8 in radius. The gap is about 13/16 in; do not accumulate repeated ruler offsets. - Use a 1/4-20 through-rod and matching eye nut to clamp the roof, ceiling and column. - Use exterior plywood for both disks. Quarter-inch slat pockets are cut into the underside of the ceiling. Secure the slats with adhesive and #18 x 3/4 in brads; cover the brad heads with the roof. ## Dimensions - Roof diameter: 14 in - Ceiling diameter: 11 in - Column diameter: 3 1/2 in - Column length: 14 in - Slat length: 6 in ## Shopping list Stock for one complete feeder of this configuration; allowances included where noted. - 1 piece: Untreated cedar column, At least 3 1/2 in diameter x 16 in - 1 piece: Exterior plywood, 1/2 in x 24 in x 24 in project panel - 7 piece: Straight-grain cedar strip, 1/4 x 1/4 x 36 in. Cut five 6 in slats per strip with kerf; 35 available, 32 installed. - 1 piece: Exterior threaded rod, 1/4-20 x 18 in - 1 piece: Exterior flat washer, 1/4 in bolt, approximately 1 in outside diameter - 1 piece: Exterior locking nut, 1/4-20 - 1 piece: Rated exterior eye nut, 1/4-20 thread; compatible with rod - 1 small pack: Exterior corrosion-resistant brads, #18 x 3/4 in. One per slat; drive from ceiling top into slat end. - 1 piece: Exterior wood glue, Small container - 1 piece: Rated exterior chain and closed connectors, Select for finished weight and support ### Required installation supplies - Match all purchased hardware to the actual support and finished feeder weight. ## Materials in the model Individual CAD parts including schematic purchased hardware. Small fasteners and chain are in the shopping list. - Cedar column 3 1/2 in diameter x 14 in: 1 installed pieces - Exterior plywood 11 in diameter x 1/2 in: 1 installed pieces - Cedar 1/4 x 1/4 x 6 in: 32 installed pieces - Exterior plywood 14 in diameter x 1/2 in: 1 installed pieces - 1/4-20 threaded rod x 15 3/4 in: 1 installed pieces - 1/4 in washer: 1 installed pieces - 1/4-20 locking nut: 1 installed pieces - 1/4-20 rated eye nut; schematic eye: 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 - Compass, protractor, jigsaw and small chisel or router for ceiling pockets ## Instructions ### 1. Cut the column, disks, and slats - Cut a sound cedar column to 3 1/2 in diameter and 14 in long. - Lay out a 14 in disk and an 11 in disk on a 24 x 24 x 1/2 in exterior plywood panel. Put their centers at 7 1/8 x 7 1/8 and 18 3/8 x 18 3/8 in from the same corner. - Cut the disks to their lines. Cut 32 cedar slats, each 1/4 x 1/4 x 6 in, and sand off splinters. Check: Cut the disks to their lines. Cut 32 cedar slats, each 1/4 x 1/4 x 6 in, and sand off splinters. ![Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for slatted column feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-layout/layout.png?brand=1) Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for slatted column feeder. ### 2. Drill the column - Mark four points around each of two rings, 8 1/2 and 11 1/2 in above the bottom. Space the points at 90-degree intervals. - Clamp the column in a V-block. Drill each feeding hole 1 in in diameter and 1 in deep. - Bore a straight 5/16 in hole through the column axis for the hanging rod. Keep the lower column clear as a tail prop. Check: Bore a straight 5/16 in hole through the column axis for the hanging rod. Keep the lower column clear as a tail prop. ![Drill the column. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-drill-column/drill-column.png?brand=1) Drill the column. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 3. Mark and cut the ceiling pockets - Mark 32 centers around the underside of the 11 in disk, each 11.25 degrees apart. Set their centers on a 5 3/8 in radius. - Cut each pocket 1/4 in wide, 1/4 in radially long, and 1/4 in deep, open to the outer edge. Leave 1/4 in of plywood above each pocket. - Drill a centered 5/16 in rod hole through the ceiling. Dry-fit each slat and remove splinters. Check: Drill a centered 5/16 in rod hole through the ceiling. Dry-fit each slat and remove splinters. ![Mark and cut the ceiling pockets. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-slot-ceiling/slot-ceiling.png?brand=1) Mark and cut the ceiling pockets. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 4. Fit the cedar slats - Seat a 6 in slat into each underside pocket with exterior wood glue. Keep all slats parallel to the column. - Predrill and drive one #18 x 3/4 in exterior brad from the ceiling top, through its remaining 1/4 in thickness and into each slat end. Set every brad head flush; the roof will cover the heads. - Check that the slats project 5 3/4 in below the ceiling. Allow the glue to cure before handling the ring. Check: Check that the slats project 5 3/4 in below the ceiling. Allow the glue to cure before handling the ring. ![Fit the cedar slats. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-install-slats/install-slats.png?brand=1) Fit the cedar slats. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 5. Fit the roof - Drill a 5/16 in centered hole in the 14 in roof disk. - Set the ceiling on the column, then center the roof on the ceiling. The roof should overhang the ceiling 1 1/2 in on every side. - Confirm that the three rod holes align and every brad head is enclosed between the disks. Check: Confirm that the three rod holes align and every brad head is enclosed between the disks. ![Fit the roof. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-fit-roof/fit-roof.png?brand=1) Fit the roof. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 6. Clamp the assembly with the rod - Pass the 1/4-20 rod through the aligned parts. Fit the bottom washer and locking nut and a rated eye nut above the roof. - Dry-fit an 18 in stock rod before trimming. The model uses 15 3/4 in; actual eye-nut dimensions determine the final length. - Tighten the assembly without crushing the plywood. Check that the slats remain clear of the column. Check: Tighten the assembly without crushing the plywood. Check that the slats remain clear of the column. ![Clamp the assembly with the rod. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-clamp-assembly/clamp-assembly.png?brand=1) Clamp the assembly with the rod. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ### 7. Hang and maintain the feeder - Attach the eye to a short chain and a closed connector on a secure support. Check the complete connection before adding suet. - Pack suet into the blind holes. Remove spoiled feed and clean the holes before refilling; take the feeder down if wood or hardware deteriorates. - Inspect the support, rod, eye, nut, and roof regularly. Retighten the lower nut without crushing the wood. Check: Feeder hangs securely and can be taken down for cleaning. ![Complete slatted column feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-overview/overview.png?brand=1) Complete slatted column feeder. ## Drawings and views ![Complete slatted column feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-overview/overview.png?brand=1) Complete slatted column feeder. ![Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for slatted column feeder.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-layout/layout.png?brand=1) Dimensioned cutting and drilling layout for slatted column feeder. ![Drill the column. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-drill-column/drill-column.png?brand=1) Drill the column. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Mark and cut the ceiling pockets. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-slot-ceiling/slot-ceiling.png?brand=1) Mark and cut the ceiling pockets. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Fit the cedar slats. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-install-slats/install-slats.png?brand=1) Fit the cedar slats. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Fit the roof. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-fit-roof/fit-roof.png?brand=1) Fit the roof. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Clamp the assembly with the rod. Current parts orange; prior parts gray.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-clamp-assembly/clamp-assembly.png?brand=1) Clamp the assembly with the rod. Current parts orange; prior parts gray. ![Slatted column feeder front three-quarter view.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-gallery-hero/hero.jpg?brand=1) Front three-quarter view. ![Slatted column feeder opposite three-quarter view.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-gallery-angle/angle.jpg?brand=1) Opposite three-quarter view. ![Slatted column feeder slats, roof and hanging rod detail.](https://diyplans.org/media/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/image-gallery-detail/detail.jpg?brand=1) Slats, roof and hanging rod detail. ## Downloads - [Editable FreeCAD assembly](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-freecad/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-model.FCStd): FCStd, 121202 bytes, file revision 1. Editable FreeCAD assembly for slatted column feeder. SHA-256: ae83af8462208be125eecd3d95071546d1a74ba85c5d79c144198b376e578238 - [STEP exchange assembly](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-step/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-model.step): STEP, 605469 bytes, file revision 1. STEP exchange assembly for slatted column feeder. SHA-256: bf94b30d65b0959999663c05a2e575d64cc678cb738f0f89876e47616af3cbea - [Shopping list](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-shopping-list/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-shopping-list.csv): CSV, 1474 bytes, file revision 1. Shopping list for slatted column feeder. SHA-256: 92413bbfdecdbcf964a07a1749c19457023d6ff7ad457544f7f421fc7fa3d7e3 - [Cut list](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-cut-list/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-cut-list.csv): CSV, 406 bytes, file revision 1. Cut list for slatted column feeder. SHA-256: 97ebb740a412705b9cffb987cda7b411b0555f2899447c85733749922cb04d8b - [CAD and materials package](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-package/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-package.zip): ZIP, 1136517 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: 5139b00352e4cbdb8d9b1a49d25118e86eb5aafa3ef5738db3617159fad12ff2 - [Blender scene](https://diyplans.org/downloads/packages/115bcb0dd9a33ee5e989853deaafcd3e74a6962c501ebedcb4c684b83d548264/download-blender-gallery/suet-feeders-for-birds-slatted-column-feeder-r1-scene.blend): BLEND, 2812965 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: 8eae43f6ab7a0b2508f3a036a4addabb161b242af7b8e588d34a480452526364 ## 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)