Are screws safe to make a diy training perch?

Karlys · Apr 18, 2018

Simple tabletop perches are just absolutely overpriced online. If you find a reasonable one, then you have to pay just as much as, if not more than, the item for shipping! Or it has horrible reviews, is too big/small, etc.

So, I figured I might as well make one! Seeing as I don't have the tools to cut pvc, I thought wood dowels connected with stainless steel screws sounded like it would work and it'd cost like $5-7 total. Is this safe though? It'd be for working with our baby cockatiel once she came home and was settled.

WilliamKenyon · Apr 18, 2018

Yep that should work

, make sure the wood is untreated pine or another safe wood. Always keep an eye on the wood and if he chews the wood enough that the sharp end of the screw is exposed, simply replace the wood perch. :30_angel:

WakaWaka · Apr 18, 2018

Excellent advice above!!

Please use Phillips head screws with a correct size Phillips bit.
This will prevent the head from stripping and possibly creating a metal burr that could cause injury.
Also make sure the pointed end of the screw does not poke through.

Another thought, do you have a drill, or one you can borrow? You may need to pre-drill the holes (a little smaller than the screw) to prevent the wood from splitting.

Check YouTube, I'm sure there are many DIY videos that could be of some help too.
There is also a DIY forum right here http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/

Lets see some pics when you are done !! Good luck and please ask if you have more questions.

SailBoat · Apr 18, 2018

Like my good friend Kelly stated (and also the good input from others) this is a fairly easy project. But, take care of sharp metal edges!

Pre-drill is very important as a general practice with screws and wood. This is especially true with dowels.

FYI: You really need to visit the Tool section of your local Hardware Store or your Big Box Store and check-out Tool Costs. Cutting PVC is simple with little more than a Hacksaw Blade and a holding handle. A full sized Hacksaw is nice but likely overkill in your application(s).

Also, tools come in different price ranges based on overall life use.

A Hacksaw blade and handle, plus some sandpaper and PVC glue and you have the foundation of the Tools and equipment needed to make things from PVC pipe.

wrench13 · Apr 18, 2018

Yep stainless steel anything is 100% safe for parrots. It better be, I have 4 of those screws in my leg!

DiscoDuck · Apr 18, 2018

stainless screws. While it maybe too large.. The work light tripods are very uh. handy!

A old broom stick and a dill bit , whittle one end and make the letter T , then drill a hole into the dining room table.. JUST KIDDING! drill the cross arm center of the Tee. Something heavy.. Ive used a split log (cleaned up) a small piece of Paralam (beam lumber)

you can make a perch with basic tools and scrap material for next to nothing. No purchase required. Set a screw deep at the center of the Tee down, if.. you got a bird :red1:

that can split lumber

Karlys · Apr 18, 2018

Even though we listened to all of the wonderful advice on here... We still stripped a couple of screws. The base looks really nice and is sturdy but the pole up to the perch is, well, not at a 90 degree angle from the base.

It's no Tower of Pisa but it's noticeable.

We think it's because we have a cheap $25 drill that has been fine for mounting tvs and shelves but turned out to not be strong enough in this application. We're going to borrow a better drill and fix it. It's ended up being more like $12, with having to buy extra screws and wood, but it's still a much better deal than ordering one!

I'll definitely upload pictures once it's fixed tonight or tomorrow.

WilliamKenyon · Apr 19, 2018

Karlys said:
Even though we listened to all of the wonderful advice on here... We still stripped a couple of screws. The base looks really nice and is sturdy but the pole up to the perch is, well, not at a 90 degree angle from the base. It's no Tower of Pisa but it's noticeable.

We think it's because we have a cheap $25 drill that has been fine for mounting tvs and shelves but turned out to not be strong enough in this application. We're going to borrow a better drill and fix it. It's ended up being more like $12, with having to buy extra screws and wood, but it's still a much better deal than ordering one!

I'll definitely upload pictures once it's fixed tonight or tomorrow.

Haha not to worry, i'm sure it will turn out fine. I doubt your new birb will mind

bill_e · Apr 19, 2018

The important thing is drilling the pilot holes for the screws. If you drill is really an electric screwdriver with a pretty slow turn rate (rpm) I can see where that might be an issue drilling holes.

PSA:
As for screws, I moved away from Phillips years ago and now use only Robertson. Very difficult to strip and if you do spin a bit the damage seems to be contained in the square hole and not on the top of the head.

DiscoDuck · Apr 19, 2018

Bill, get with the times.. LOL

Ive been using a vinyl (polymer) coated self drilling Torx screw for what seems like a decade. I think they are commonly sold as "deck screws" at Lowes.

Sure if you are attaching closed grained hardwoods, then yes, drilling first is always best, however. Since most people probably cant Identify the type of wood most likely to split. This screw probably handles the attachment with the least amount of problems for the uninitiated..

Sadly, trades like carpentry may becoming more a thing of the past..

bill_e · Apr 19, 2018

DiscoDuck,

I try to stay away from carpentry because that's too much like work

Now woodworking and woodturning is another matter.

SailBoat · Apr 19, 2018

Woodworking, Woodturning and Carpentry is not going anywhere soon. The tools and processes changing, yes.

Thickness and hardness of the wood is what defines whether pre-drilling is needed. Since Parrots quickly find minor cracks and splits, I commonly drill.

Self-drilling screws do not remove material and depending on the thickness and hardness of the wood will cause cracks and splits. The goal of the self-drilling screws is to speed the starting and greatly limit screw 'walking' on the surface.

Great project Bill! Now that is woodworking my friend.

DiscoDuck · Apr 19, 2018

Beautiful pics and comments guys!!

I wonder do people who love parrots love carpentry too?

I Built this 20 years ago from scraps outa a job site dumpster.

discoduck-albums-miscellanious-picture19830-truck-bed-built-scraps.jpg

discoduck-albums-miscellanious-picture19831-front-shot-truck-bed.jpg

DiscoDuck · Apr 19, 2018

SailBoat said:
Woodworking, Woodturning and Carpentry is not going anywhere soon. The tools and processes changing, yes.

Thickness and hardness of the wood is what defines whether pre-drilling is needed. Since Parrots quickly find minor cracks and splits, I commonly drill.

Self-drilling screws do not remove material and depending on the thickness and hardness of the wood will cause cracks and splits. The goal of the self-drilling screws is to speed the starting and greatly limit screw 'walking' on the surface.

Great project Bill! Now that is woodworking my friend.

Agreed on all points. I too have turned many items and hardwood casework was also a forte.. Pics of the more exotic stuff have long uhh. got stuck on crashed hard drives..

I did find an interesting cutting board pic. BRB with the resizing function..

OKay here is my hardwood contribution.. oh wow... what happened to the perch?

discoduck-albums-miscellanious-picture19832-hardwood-cutting-board-scraps.jpg

Karlys · Apr 19, 2018

Lovely work, guys!

Mine isn't nearly as nice as all of that stuff but here it is.

I'm going to sand it a little and it should be good.

Edit: oh no, the pictures uploaded sideways. I'll try to fix it.

Edit #2: Looks like I can't fix it on my phone.

bill_e · Apr 20, 2018

Karlys, That's a fine stand. You might consider putting a piece of wax paper or cardboard under it so that he doesn't poop all over the stuff in his cage.

It may take him some time to figure out that the perch won't kill him and that he can sit on it

WilliamKenyon · Apr 20, 2018

Karlys said:
Lovely work, guys!

Mine isn't nearly as nice as all of that stuff but here it is. I'm going to sand it a little and it should be good.

Edit: oh no, the pictures uploaded sideways. I'll try to fix it.

Edit #2: Looks like I can't fix it on my phone.

That looks great, i'm sure he will be happy with it

also with the sideways image try cropping it before you upload as that might help

Karlys · Apr 20, 2018

Thank you guys! Even though we messed up a little, it really was easy and a success! Granted, my SO did most of the work... but it was my idea and I handed him things haha! It does give a nice sense of accomplishment to make your own stuff. I think other projects (not exactly sure what yet, though) are in our future.

DiscoDuck · Apr 20, 2018

Karlys said:
Thank you guys! Even though we messed up a little, it really was easy and a success! Granted, my SO did most of the work... but it was my idea and I handed him things haha! It does give a nice sense of accomplishment to make your own stuff. I think other projects (not exactly sure what yet, though) are in our future.

Excellent!! yay!! thank you for the post, I would not have known there are active woodpeckers amongst all the parrots!:18:

IanBrown · Aug 21, 2023

Yeah, it's totally doable. Go for it!

Are screws safe to make a diy training perch?

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