Backyard animal table

prusaprinters

<p>Last year, we had to remove a dead tree from out backyard. Since I wanted to encourage wildlife to continue to visit our yard, I made some little tables for them. The tables consist of 3d printed parts with craft sticks placed in them. The craft sticks I picked up from a local store were about 140mm x 9mm x 2mm in size. The dimensions and straightness could vary between the sticks. I built the gaps of the sticks with enough tolerance to allow for these variance while fitting tight. They can be placed on the ground or strung up by strings or thin gardening chains.&nbsp;</p><p>As of posting this, I have been testing the tables for close to a month. Here we are just coming out of winter, so the tables I tested with, have experienced snow, thunderstorms, and high wind gusts without coming apart. They have proven to quite sturdy. Most importantly, after being a bit unsure of the new tables, the animals now love them. They also look really adorable eating from them.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i><strong>Main parts</strong></i></p><p>The table needs 2 ends to keep its shape. There are 19 gaps for the sticks on the table top and 5 on each side for the seats. Alternatively, you can add sticks in every other gap for a different look. If choosing to make the table without the dish, you can add open ends model to middle of your table. These can be scaled up on the Z-axis.</p><ul><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Open ends_5mmHeight.stl&nbsp;</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Closed ends_10mmHeight.stl&nbsp;</i></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i><strong>Add-on parts</strong></i></p><p>These help in keeping the sticks in line when putting the tables together. They can be removed after the table is together or can be left in to add another accent. Like the main table parts, there are versions with closed ends and open ends.</p><ul><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Table spacer_gaps for 19 sticks_with ends.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Table spacer_gaps for 17 sticks_with no ends.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Bench spacer_gaps for 5 sticks_with ends.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Bench spacer_gaps for 3 sticks_with no ends.stl</i></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For each bowl, you need to print 2 of the bases. They fit between the sticks how the spacers do. The bowl has 2 dovetail joints to allow for easy removal while remaining snug. I found that putting the bases in the bowl then adding the stick to be an effective way to get the spacing correct.</p><ul><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-BowlBase.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-Bowl.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-BowlwithDrainageHoles.3mf</i></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sometimes my hands don't always cooperate with my brain very well, so I need tools to help. These endcaps allow you to press tight the sticks to even lengths without hurting your palms.</p><ul><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-19slotEndCap.stl</i></li><li><i>BackyardAnimalTable-5slotEndCap.stl</i></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Random notes and tips:</p><ul><li>Due to them being in the sun, I would recommend using PETG for the printed parts.</li><li>I printed 0.30mm layer height using the default Prusament PETG profile.&nbsp;</li><li>Drainage holes can to be added to the dish to prevent accumulating rain. I included a 3mf file with the holes added. Drilling holes would work too. Two of my tables do not have holes so that I have the option to fill the dish with food or water.</li><li>Be sure to set out food that is healthy for whatever animals in your yard.</li><li>I have also included the FreeCad file I used to create this.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here is a video of putting one together:</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/mO8e9gzwZRg"></oembed></figure><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here are some videos of animals enjoying the tables:</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/lGdyZO4l_hU"></oembed></figure><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/hDwDqvjq-aA"></oembed></figure><p>&nbsp;</p>