How to Make a Telescoping Bird Feeder Pole

Predators, such as cats, look at a bird feeder full of feasting birds as a perfect hunting ground. They can unexpectedly creep up on the birds and make a meal out of them. Other pests, such as squirrels, look for bird feeders to grab an easy lunch. You could use a store-bought predator baffle to keep these animals away. Or, you could make your own protection for the birds using a PVC pole. A telescoping bird feeder pole allows you to get your fine-feathered-friends out of harm's way, keep their food safe from scavengers and gives you easy access to clean and refill the feeder.

Marker
PVC pipe, 2-by-60-inch
Drill
Drill bit, 1/4-inch
PVC pipe, 1 3/4-by-48-inch PVC pipe
Flange, 1 3/4-inch flange
PVC glue
Bolts
Rubber mallet (optional)
Ring pin, 1/4-by-3-inch

Instructions

- 1
  Mark an "X" 12 inches down from the top edge on the side of a 2-by-60-inch PVC pipe. Turn the pipe 180 degrees and mark a second "X," also 12 inches down from the top edge of the pipe. Make sure the two "X"'s are marked at the exact same height.
- 2
  Turn the pipe 90 degrees. Mark an "X" 6 inches from the top edge of the pole. Turn the pipe 180 degrees. Mark another "X" 6 inches from the top edge, directly across from the last X. The second set of "X"s gives you an option on the height of the bird feeder once installed.
- 3
  Drill through the four marked "X"s using a drill fitted with a 1/4-inch drill bit.
- 4
  Mark an "X" 6 inches up from the bottom edge of a 1 3/4-by-48-inch PVC pipe. Turn the pipe 180 degrees and place a second "X" 6 inches from the bottom edge.
- 5
  Drill through both "X"s using the 1/4-inch drill bit.
- 6
  Attach a 1 3/4-inch flange to the top of the 1 3/4-inch pipe. The top is the side of the pipe without the holes. Apply PVC glue around the top of the pole for better attachment. Attach the flange to the bottom of the bird feeder using bolts. Place one bolt through each of the holes in the flange.
- 7
  Insert the 60-inch pipe into the ground where you want the bird feeder. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to hammer it into the ground. Insert the end of the pipe without the holes into the soil at a depth of 8 to 12 inches.
- 8
  Insert the smaller pipe into the larger one. Line up the holes in the side of the larger pipe with the holes in the side of the smaller pipe. Use the 6-inch or 12-inch holes in the larger pipe, depending on what height you want the bird feeder to be.
- 9
  Insert a 1/4-by-3-inch ring pin through the hole in the side of the larger pipe, through both holes in the smaller one and out the larger pipe's other side. To lower the telescoping pole, remove the pin and slide the pole down.

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