I’ve built several squirrel feeders over the years, and they’re always fun to create and watch in action. This particular squirrel feeder was a quick, enjoyable project, perfect for beginners or anyone seeking a simple DIY. It only requires a single board and a 3″ lag screw for easy assembly. Mounting it to a tree is hassle-free, and the joy of watching squirrels feed is well worth the effort!
The design is based on a plan from the book Birdhouses & More, which offers clear, beginner-friendly instructions. I made a few small modifications, but the cuts and assembly remain super simple, making this squirrel feeder the ideal woodworking project for anyone looking to attract squirrels to their backyard.
If you make one of these be sure to post a picture of it over on the WoodLogger Facebook Page. I’d love to see how yours turns out.
Material List
(1) 1″ x 4″ x 4′ – cedar
(2) 1 – 5/8″ screws (for attaching the shelf to the back)
(1) 3″ – Lag Screw (for the corn cob)
(2) Screws (desired length) for mounting feeder
Cut List
(1) .75″ x 3.5″ x 10″ Back
(1) .75″ x 3.5″ x 5″ Shelf
(1) .75″ x 2.5″ x 4″ Shelf support
Milling & Assembly
  | Making the Squirrel Feeder is a snap. Just three boards are required cut to the length’s/widths described in the cut list. For a little extra style you can cut rounds on the shelf and shelf support. In my case I used a template to help me mark those |
  | I cut the rounded sides with my bandsaw, but a simple jig saw would do the trick as well. I did a little lite sanding to smooth out a few of the corners. |
  | Next up I drilled a counter bore hold about 1/4″ into the shelf. One tip here is put masking tape on one side of the board. Also, I predrilled the hole with smaller drill bits and ultimately used a 1/4″ drill bit for the lag screw I used. |
  | Next up I inserted a 3″ Lag Screw thorough the hole. It’ll feel a little loose, but ultimately epoxied in place. |
  | Then I mixed up some epoxy and applied it to the lag screw that will go into the shelf and hold the corn kob. Apply this on the top and bottom all around the lag screw to ensure it stays in place. |
  | After the epoxy dried, I glued the shelf support to the shelf and glued and screwed the shelf to the back support using 1-5/8″ screws. |
 | The squirrel Feeder turned out great. This is a great beginner project and can be done quickly. |