Make the world a birder place!

Easy to make, easy to clean, attractive, good for the planet! Uses any Mason-style canning jar and ring, easily scalable to different size jars, provided they have the standard opening. Doesn't leak when when assembled (though any hummingbird feeder may drip with temperature-related internal pressure changes).

From the Schlaboratory and designed with TINKER-days-are-numbered-CAD.

For more images, see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theschlem/sets/72157633286126925/

ATTENTION
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Non-Commercial license. This license applies only to the files and documents available for download from the Thing Files section of this Thing.
All other related content (photographs, videos, and verbiage such as contained in "Description" or "Instructions" ) are excluded from this license. with all rights reserved, unless specifically available for download This notice constitutes a clarification, not a change, to licensing for this design.

For optimal hummer attraction, you should probably print some of this feeder in red plastic. It is my understanding that darker colored ABS is best-suited to UV exposure; I can't speak to PLA or other plastic's UV resistance.

UPDATE 5-2-13 I increased the awesome feeding power of this Hummingbird Feeder by 50%! Now with a three-fold symmetry and better eye-pleasing action. The new files were designated "3-up" - the "3" was truncated from the name when I uploaded them, so look for "3up" or "up"in the file name. The original files are included for archival purposes. If you have printed this feeder, you could upgrade by printing only the bottom elements. Assembly remains the same.

UPDATE - I have revised the blooms to be a little more complex and less cartoonish. Included are all original STL files, but the recent changes are reflected in parts designated V4. Please feel free to contribute - the base of the bloom, where it glues to the bottom measures 17mm in diameter.

I had some difficulty slicing these files with the latest version of Slic3r (0.9.9 - bundled with Repetier Host). Often, bottom layers and multiple parts would disappear, and on different computers. Slic3r 7.0 worked consistently and predictably every time - I believe the issue lay with the 9.x version of Slic3r, and not the integrity of the STL files.

The crosses inside the blooms are "guards", intended to keep bees and other insects from reaching the nectar. In the most recent version, they are printed separately from the blooms and pressed in place.

Print the hub, the bottom, the booms, guards, and the ring. Clean the 3mm holes in the hub and base with a 1/8 inch drill bit. - DO NOT DRILL THROUGH THE HUB INTO THE CENTRAL OPENING!
At a minimum, you need to print the "plate" and the "ring" files. The other files allow you to easily print separate elements in different colors or on printers with a smaller bed.

You will need:
2 - 12mm lengths of 3mm filament for pegging the hub to the bottom
1 Mason jar and ring (lid not needed)
1 small zip tie to secure the hanging ring
2 large Zip ties (or one reeeeally long one) to secure the wire guides
Enough wire or cord to create hanger (see photos)
Super glue or similar

For assembly, see diagram and photos - you will want to view the entire image. Use the seam on the side of the jar to align the ring with the wire guides.

The blooms should be glued in place on the arms of the bottom, the hub placed through the ring, and the bottom pegged to the hub. Alternately, you could use 3mm machine screws to secure the hub to the bottom.

To clean or refill:

• remove pegs, separating the bottom from the hub - refill through central hole with funnel
• or remove entire feeder assembly by unscrewing ring from jar

Directions for making safe hummingbird food:
Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water and bring to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold present.
Cool and fill feeder.
Extra sugar water may be stored in a refrigerator.
Red dye SHOULD NOT be added.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/webcam/hummingbird_nectar_recipe.cfm

Enjoy!