kerfin and ruffin etc

Since bats need the rough surface to cling to. Options are to rough the surface with a utility knife, cut saw kerfs or use rough cut material for the interior surfaces. I used the saw Kerf method and mounted two saw blades on my radial arm saw with a spacer about 3/8" thick. The partitions were ran through the stacked blades, reversed, ran through again, flipped and the process repeated. Next, I moved the saw head out 1" and repeated. This resulted in both sides being grooved/kerfed. The front and back panels were ran through. One side only.                                                                                                 This photo shows the kerfs/grooves and the ventilation holes in the partition. 

These are the are the grooved panels to be cut to size for the lower front.

They have grooves on one side only.

For the exterior landing area supports, I  took a piece of 1 x 12 pine and cut the grooves on one side. This board had a lot of heart pine in it and should last for years. After kerfing, I ripped to 3.5" width. This photo was taken with them on top of the partitions. Click the photo for detail.

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Support Info

Straps are to be attached using 1/4 by 1 1/4" bolts and recessed t-nuts. Since placing 4 screws for support  in a line will create the possibility of splitting, I will attach the supports with 1" x 20 wood screws in all four corners of the support. In addition, 1" staples/brads/finish nails will be used randomly on the supports. This will give additional stability. This photo gives a general idea of the screw locations.

Conduit and mounting Info

 
Bat houses should be mounted on 2" EMT conduit manufactured by Allied using 2" 2 hole EMT Halex strap.  Allied's 2" conduit has a 2.197" diameter according to their web site. The specs on  the Halex web site for the diameter of the 2" strap is 2.20". Based on my mock up, at least one washer is needed under each leg of the strap for a proper fit. This photo has one washer under each strap and tightened with a nut driver. As an alternative you could use the HW strap with a 2.30" diameter. You would need at least one washer on the inside of the strap for a firm fit.
Of course, you can use any supplier of conduit, but max diameter should be 2.197"

Angel Trumpets

 
A little rain does a lot of good...