screw eyes for mini birdhouses

[Paladin]

I just started cutting some of the winter mini birdhouses from the 'other' magazine. I know alot of people on here cut them, so here's my dillema: I ordered abunch of screw eyes according to the size listed in the project article -212 1/2. When I got them, they seemed a bit big for the size of the birdhouse, and also looked bigger than what was in the pictures.
Is this the size people are using? or is there a smaller size that works better? I'm just wondering if I may have gotten sent the wrong size.

Steve

[Lou]

It can be hard to find very small screweyes. I buy them in bulk for just over 10 cents apiece (bags of 100) and I get the smallest size my mail order supplier, Bear Woods, carries, which is 3x11x5 mm. They're perfect for not only the birdhouses but my bird ornaments and angel ornaments. I use a 3/64 bit to drill the pilot holes (when not using a thumbtack), which is sometimes hard to find too!

I'm sure you can find them in the US somewhere, but if you want to check out Bear Woods' site, it's Wholesale Wood Craft Supplies - Toy wheels, Shaker pegs, Dowels, Clock Parts, Picture Hangers and more and it has both Canadian and American sites. Type "screweyes" in the search engine.

Best of luck to you.

Lou

[Wood Dog]

Steve the ones I use are 5/8 tip to tip, and 1/4 eye OD. I got them at Michael's Craft Store.

[Don in Brooklin On]

I use the 3mm from Lee Valley

Screw Eyes - Lee Valley Tools

I ordered an assortment of 3, 4 5. and 7 as they are quite cheap. $2 per 100.

I had some 3mm nickle that I got at Hobby Lobby but I prefer the brass

Don

[Greenfield_Bob]

Years ago I used to make fishing lures and I had a lot of screw eyes left over, they worked great for the birdhouses.

Bob

[weiner9696]

Thanks to all for the info. I have been looking for some.

George

[Ghornet54]

I got mine from Home Depot. They are silver color and not brass, but they work just as well.

Charles

[Rolf]

I make my own. I use jewelry wire and safety wire pliers to twist my own. I will take pictures if anyone wants to see how I do it. I can make any size I want.

[Paladin]

I ordered another set of patterns directly from Diana's website, and that set calls for the 3mm size eyelets. I'm not sure why the magazine article called for a different size. Hopefully I'll find something to do with the bigger eyelets later.

Steve

[ChuckD]

I have ruined a few (3 or 4) of the birdhouses when the wood splits at the top. Tried drilling but that didn't help. Not to much lost as I don't. sell them but it is a little aggravating. Probably could take more care.

[wood-n-things]

Drill the holes prior to cutting out the birdhouses.

[saarf]

I found a good selection of small screw eyes at the local True Value. Ok, unless you want large quantities, which would get expensive.
Fred

[ChuckD]

Drill the holes prior to cutting out the birdhouses.

That is a lot easier said than done. I tried and ruined two more before I gave that up. Maybe go with the idea of cutting a hole sideways thru it.

[Rolf]

I have a dremel with the flex shaft and small chuck on the end. I have it connected to a foot switch. It is then very easy to put the tip of the drill bit where you want it, step on the pedal and you are done.

[wjbclocks1]

I have bought small scew eyes from Woodworks Ltd . the smallest size is 5/16 overall length Shank length is 13/64 and the insde eye dia is 1/32
Their e-mail address is Wood Craft Products - Wooden Shaker Pegs, Balls, Wood Toy Wheels