How to Make a Birdhouse Out of an Old Cable Box

Encourage wildlife to flourish in your backyard by installing outdoor habitats made from recycled materials. You can build birdhouses and small mammal shelters using durable materials such as wood and brick; however, recycling a plastic container has other benefits. For example, if you convert a cable box into a birdhouse, you are supporting green living and contributing to the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats near and far -- not to mention exchanging a sedentary activity for a new passion for backyard bird watching.

Gloves
Goggles
Mask
Screwdriver
Hammer
Knife
Tape
Twine
Glue
Resin
Scissors
Fiberglass
Paint

Instructions

- 1
  Put on safety gear.
- 2
  Locate the screws on the underside and back of the cable box. Remove the screws.
- 3
  Pull apart the top and bottom halves of the box.
- 4
  Remove and discard all internal components. Take out any additional screws. Use a hammer to dislodge glued pieces. Pry circuit boards away from the walls of the cable box.
- 5
  Turn the box on its side so that the time display screen is visible. Place a piece of tape over the window. Use a hammer to break the screen and remove it.
- 6
  Cut four 2-foot lengths of twine.
- 7
  Locate the screw holes on the bottom half of the case. Insert one rope into each hole from the outside in. Knot the rope on the interior side of the case.
- 8
  Knot the ends of the ropes together on the outside of the case to create a loop for hanging.
- 9
  Piece the two halves of the case back together. Glue the seam of the box. Dry the box overnight.
- 10
  Apply two to three coats of resin.
- 11
  Saturate 2-inch squares of fiberglass mat in resin and then smooth them over the entire box; leave the display window open.
- 12
  Dry the piece for 48 hours.
- 13
  Apply two coats of paint and one coat of varnish to the birdhouse.

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