Steps for Making a Wooden Bird Cage

Router a groove into the side of two of the 18-inch pieces of wood and two of the 24-inch pieces of wood. Center the groove equidistant from either edge of the wood and cut it 1/8-inch-by-18 inches. A router is a wood-working device used to gouge out a groove.

Drill 1/4-inch holes along the length of six of the 18-inch pieces of wood. Make them 1/2 inch deep and space them every 3/4 inches. The first hole should start 2-3/4 inches in from one edge and the last at 2-3/4 inches in from the other edge.

Attach four of the 18-inch pieces of wood together to create a square. Use one of the routered boards and three of the boards with holes. Place them so the routered and drilled edges all face up. Put the corners flush and squeeze a line of wood glue along the length of the wood where they meet. Secure them in place using finishing nails. Finishing nails have smaller heads than standard nails. When you hammer a finishing nail, it should be even with outer edge of the wood. This is the bottom of the cage. Repeat the entire process one more time. This creates the top of the cage.

Attach the four 24-inch pieces of wood to the top of the bottom square. These are the side supports for the cage. Place one perpendicular to each of the four corners. Place routered pieces facing one another on either side of the 18-inch routered piece. Use wood glue where the pieces meet and then finishing nails to secure them in place.

Measure and draw a 6-inch-by-4-inch rectangle into the middle of the 18-1/2 inch plywood sheet. Cut the rectangle out. Attach the metal hinge to the center edge of the cutout. Attach one screw through each of the two holes of the hinge. The screws go through the hole and into the wood. Secure the other end of the hinge to the top of the cutout in the large piece of plywood. Attach a hook and eye closure to the bottom edge of the plywood and cutout where they meet.

Fill the holes on the bottom square with wood glue. Insert one dowel rod into each of the holes. Fill the routered grooves on the bottom square and the sidepieces with wood glue. Slide the plywood piece into the grooves. You know have a mostly constructed cage without a top.

Fill the holes and routered groove with wood glue on the top square. Place it on top of the four sidepieces you attached in Step 2. Place it so the dowel rods fit into the holes you drilled. Secure it in place using the same method of wood glue and finishing nails.

Place one of the 20-inch plywood sheets on top of the constructed cage. Use finishing nails to attach it in place. Repeat this with the second 20-inch plywood sheet on the bottom of the cage to complete it.