I'm trying to make a turned heated bird bath.

This should be an interesting thread to follow.

I can't think of any wood that will stand up to the parameters you describe of constant heat, constant UV, and be completely exposed to the elements while submersed in alterantely cold, then warm water depending on the season.

Robert

He might try Osage Orange. I understand it makes fine fence posts.

Untreated redwood?

I think teak, cedar or redwood could work but I would suggest looking into a marine grade expoy finish. That would protect it from the water, The problem would be that most fo the ones I looked at don't have a high UV resistance so they would yellow over time.

Good ad anyway... :-)

Constant exposure to water, heat and the elements will cause changes in coloration.

Assuming this isn't a cloaked ad...

My concern in making this from wood is the possibility of bacteria and such living in the cells of the wood. I don't know if this is a serious concern, but birds drink from AND bath in birdbaths. Just as with a wooden chopping block, bacteria could build up to harmful levels if not treated appropriately.

Really good Boat Epoxy would be my first guess as to a finish.

FWIW,

Greg G.

I guess Snipe bathe in turned bath houses, but I haven't hunted any lately.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Research outdoor hot tubs--whatever works in or around a hot tub should work. If it's not given regular maintenance it _will_ change color and no wood is going to last forever kept damp and exposed to the weather.

What about using Ipe ? It doesn't rot and will gray after sun exposure, but it will probably stand up to the elements. If it doesn't, then New Jersey's boardwalk is on borrowed time...

I've read that the boardwalk has been repaired using Ipe over the last decade or so, but I'm not sure if they ever replaced the entire boardwalk with Ipe, as that page points out. Several years ago, an injunction was granted to block the city from using Ipe - due to environmental concerns that the Brazilian rainforest is being depleted too quickly.

Trees aren't dead containers filled with 2 quarts of captive, heated water, being shit in, bathed in, and drunk out of by 100 birds a day either. Think large Petri-Dish. Not birdhouses.

I have raised birds from eggs, keep pet birds, and maintain numerous birdfeeders and baths on our property. Birds die from exposure to human saliva and contaminated water. What makes you think your lousy analogy holds any water?

Greg G.

Here's an idea for you, altho it's outside the scope of this forum: make them out of stone. At least 2 types of stone I know of can be turned on a lathe - soapstone and alabaster. If you ask a rock hound, they will be able to tell you the hardness of many other available stones similar to soapstone. If you search the web, you will find sites of those who turn stone, contact them for help.

I really think you're barking up the wrong "tree", pun intended, by using wood for this aplication.

Another possibility: turn from any wood, make a mold, and use poured concrete for the final product.

re = using stone - Alabaster can dissolve if exposed to the elements. I had an alabaster bird essentially dissolve along stone seams after being exposed to rain for several summers in the Northeast.

bernie feinerman

Greg G wrote:

I think you would be exceeding the natural characteristics of any wood I've ever heard of. Man-made materials such as galvanized metal, copper, ABS plastics or other materials might be much better suited for the intended purpose. Think about it.......a platter exposed to the winter cold on one side and expected to hold heated water on the other................. Wood is a great material, but it has limitations.

Barry

Uhhhhhhhh................doesn't the Geico lizard live in the Brazilian rain forest?

Barry

I would recommend making a segmented turning, using different colors of slate for the design and Gorilla Glue to hold it together.

tic(toc)

This discussion is becoming a tempest in a birdbath and strictly for the birds, but probably it's more heated than a turned wood electric bird bath will ever be. I keep waiting for someone to mention the magical antibacterial and electrical insulation properties of wet wood. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

I can only hope that occurs only with some alabaster and not others. Catholic church in Los Angeles built a major new cathedral, with all alabaster windows!