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Post by Taz on Apr 18, 2020 16:06:51 GMT
Wow, that looks interesting. Can't wait to see how they turn out
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 18, 2020 17:54:15 GMT
Looks like you know what you are doing Matt, I am really excited to see the outcome of this! Shame need to wait another whole year to see if the birds appreciate your efforts though I'm sure they will!
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Post by suep on Apr 19, 2020 8:54:47 GMT
Amazing work so far Matt, can’t believe you are on it that quick! Can’t wait to see this completed. I wish you all the luck in the world. I am sure you’ll do it. As the others say, just a shame have to wait a whole year to see if the final product works. Will keep checking for updates. Sue
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Post by matt on Apr 20, 2020 11:43:31 GMT
Almost ready for the first pour! I think I have gone a little overboard on this project - it's a nestbox front, not a kitchen counter. Still, that's what lock down does for you!! Wish me luck..
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2020 11:54:31 GMT
Keeps you busy during lockdown Matt Honestly can't wait to see how this turns out, Are you doing first pour today?
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Post by matt on Apr 20, 2020 11:56:30 GMT
Yeah I think so Paul, will try one after lunch and hopefully be able to take it out of the mold tomorrow. All a bit uncharted territory, so ready for a few failures. The question will be how easily it comes out of the mold, and how much I have to take it apart to facilitate that. The more it comes apart, the more effort it is to do the next one assuming I silicon seal the edges - but that part is probably overkill tbh so could try the next one without and see how it compares.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2020 12:20:34 GMT
Cant wait to see Matt, Are you putting this front on one of your boxes you already have up or you making a new box to fit it?
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Post by matt on Apr 20, 2020 12:26:11 GMT
This should be a drop-in replacement for my existing side view box. If it works, I can make another one for the other sideview box, and if it all looks good then I will make a three hole front for some of the conventional boxes, although no hurry on that really.
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2020 12:48:31 GMT
Thats great then Matt, Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
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Post by matt on Apr 20, 2020 14:10:54 GMT
Poured! Or scooped, at least. Hopefully it wasn't too liquid, quite a bit of water has come to the top though. Now we have to wait until tomorrow!
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Post by suep on Apr 20, 2020 14:16:08 GMT
Good going Matt, so hope it turns out ok . Making good use of the lockdown anyway. Really hope it works for you. Sue
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Post by matt on Apr 20, 2020 14:18:45 GMT
Did a couple of "leaf fossils" in some margarine tubs with the kids as well, using excess concrete (just a leaf in the bottom of the tub, hoping for a nice imprint on the finished concrete). Actually if those leaves come out OK I quite fancy a nestbox front covered in leaf prints myself!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 20, 2020 14:47:32 GMT
Looking good Matt, I'll be transferring you some money to send one to Liverpool at this rate!
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Post by matt on Apr 21, 2020 13:47:05 GMT
OK - bit of a disaster in some ways, but encouraging enough that I'll persist until I get it right Lucky I've got about a year to get it sussed. Probably let impatience get the better of me, and demolded at 24 hours which might have been too soon. I think the main issue though was that the shape around the front hole wasn't smooth/tapered enough to let the concrete out. After it broke when trying to remove the whole thing, it still took a hell of a hammering to remove the last of it. Anyway, the bit that did come out intact looks great. You can't really see it in the pic, but the front is almost glass smooth with sparkly bits (sand), and the notches for supports etc seemed to work well. I will think again about how to get the front section to release - perhaps also leave for 2-3 days next time:
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 21, 2020 14:18:53 GMT
Thats a good first attempt though Matt! Would look nothing like that if I had tried it let me tell you I think a few little bumps was always going to come up, I'm sure you'll get it perfect. Like you said the year deadline and lockdown is on your side
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Post by matt on Apr 21, 2020 14:36:33 GMT
Yeah, not disheartened Paul. I think its going to work, and I think it is going to be good! Assuming they like concrete boxes, of course. Should definitely keep the woodpeckers out - of the front, anyway..
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 21, 2020 15:30:06 GMT
I think its going to be brilliant Matt, I can't wait to see it all finished and things.
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Post by suep on Apr 22, 2020 16:48:34 GMT
Well as a first attempt , I think that’s amazing mat. Am sure you will solve your little glitches. Is there anything you can put on the mould (oil, grease, cling film etc ) that would not allow it to adhere to the mould to strongly. What do I know!? Sue
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Post by matt on Apr 29, 2020 8:15:25 GMT
Success! Now to mount it on the existing sideview box, although whether I even end up using this box next year is now up for debate after our previous conversation, Paul!
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Post by WildlifePaul on Apr 29, 2020 12:33:20 GMT
Looks brilliant this Matt!
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Post by suep on May 3, 2020 14:28:39 GMT
Well done Matt - knew you would manage it. Sue
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Post by petesbox on May 4, 2020 10:50:41 GMT
Nice one Matt.
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Post by matt on May 7, 2020 8:53:58 GMT
Playing around with a design for an all concrete nest box now, having read the studies that Benn linked in another thread. It does seem as if the Schwegler "woodcrete" boxes beat all others in multiple studies, when put side by side with wooden ones, so I have loosely based my first design on one of their more popular ones. 12cm circular chamber, 28mm hole placed slightly higher (16cm centre to bottom of inside, old boxes 12cm) because studies showed that they prefer that over shallow. The concrete I am using is made with perlite as the aggregate, which is inert (and safe), very light and provides great insulation - an inch of this concrete is more like 5-10 inches of regular concrete, apparently. So similar to woodcrete in that respect, but easier to work with I think. This mix is supposed to be quite porous and breathable, too, but I plan on drilling one or two holes in the base for draininge as well. Glass fibres added for extra strength - this should be very strong. Pics below of the first casting. I have made a 12mm inset at the top so that I can build a 12mm plywood lid that sits snugly, to house the camera and lights. Another feature here is a relatively low ceiling above the hole - just 5cm from the centre of the hole. The sides are 3cm thick where the hole is. Now planning a three hole version as well so watch this space inside: mold:
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Post by WildlifePaul on May 7, 2020 10:22:14 GMT
That is BRILLIANT Matt! Can I place an order for a 3 hole one? online friend discounts
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Post by matt on May 7, 2020 10:29:21 GMT
Happy to make you one for free Paul since they really don't cost a lot in materials! Shipping might be another matter though.. It would be really interesting if you got one of these up amongst your usual boxes, just to see if it really turns out to be a "popular" design. I reckon it will be, just a hunch. It has most of the design features of the most popular boxes from the academic studies that Benn linked to, and certainly around me the birds seem to love nesting in brick walls, which is a similar sort of texture. Probably makes them feel pretty safe I reckon, especially with that woodpecker around! Next up a recast of the same design, just because I already have the mold and want to perfect the mix (didn't mix it as well as I could have, you can see that a bit in the pic above), then a three hole version and then a starling version.
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