The Nut Hut, Squirrel Feeder

The Nut Hut is a purpose-designed squirrel feeder intended to provide dry, accessible nut feeding for garden squirrels and other fluffy friends who take their snacks seriously.

After getting fed up with buying cheap feeders online that only seem to last five minutes in the elements before warping out of shape or rusting away, this feeder was designed from the ground up for outdoor use with sensible, easy printing requirements. When printed in PETG, the feeder offers good weather resistance, with working gutters, a roof canopy, and a raised, self-draining nut tray to prevent water pooling and mould (because nobody wants damp, mouldy nuts).

Clear side windows allow you to see when a refill is needed (or simply keep an eye on visiting wildlife), and a hinged roof provides easy access for refilling. Embedded magnets ensure the roof closes securely and can’t be easily pushed open by greedy visitors.

Materials & Construction

All parts are designed to fit within a 250 mm × 210 mm print bed and are compatible with a Prusa i3 Mk3S or equivalent printer. The files make use of a multi-material unit, but this is entirely optional.

PETG is strongly recommended for outdoor durability and UV resistance

In the photos shown, the colours used are Black, Grey, Oak, White, and Red filament (from Pursa and Sunlu).

Approximate external dimensions:

• Width: 240 mm

• Height: 220 mm

• Depth: 284 mm

Extras Required

To complete the build you will need:

• 4 × 8×3 mm magnets

• 2 × M3 × 35 mm stainless steel cap head screws

• 12 × M3 × 10 mm stainless steel cap head screws

• 8 × M2 × 6 mm stainless steel cap head screws

• Superglue (to secure magnets and signage)

• Perspex or polycarbonate sheet for the windows (see below)

All fasteners and magnets are standard sizes and readily available from online suppliers (such as Amazon or similar).

You’ll also need to make:

• 2 x Flat-cut perspex or polycarbonate window panels, 2 mm thick
  (A 3D printed cutting template is included.)

These can be substituted with other sheet materials if preferred, or the window-frame design can be modified to include a grid or mesh instead.

Printing Notes

• PETG is recommended for all structural parts (for UV resistance).

• A textured PEI build plate is advised for reliable adhesion and a nice surface finish.

• No exotic print settings are required — sensible wall thickness and infill are sufficient.

• 3 wall perimeters, 15% gyroid infill, and 0.2 mm layer height are recommended for a good balance of durability, weight (so it doesn’t blow away), and print time.

• Magnet pockets should be glued rather than press-fit for long-term outdoor reliability.

• The supplied 3MF files use the “fuzzy wall” feature to give a subtle wood-effect texture on exposed edges.

• Multi-material printing is used for signage and decorative details, but this is optional — all parts can be printed in a single colour if your printer does not support multi-material printing.

• No slicer-generated supports are required; all models include their own easily removable supports where needed.

Assembly

1. Print the large tray and the two side walls. Screw together using 4 × M3 × 10 mm stainless steel cap head screws.

2. Print the two seats and attach them to the frame using 4 × M3 × 10 mm screws.

3. Print the two roof panels. Use 2 × M3 × 35 mm screws at either end to form the hinges. Some trimming of support material with a scalpel may be required.

4. Print the two gutters and two awnings, then attach them to the ends of the roof panels using 4 × M2 × 6 mm screws per part.

5. Insert one perspex window, followed by a rear window frame, at the rear of the hut (below the fixed roof panel). The frame should be a snug fit and will hold the window securely.

6. Screw the fixed roof panel to the frame using 4 × M3 × 10 mm screws. This step is a bit fiddly due to access — a short hex key is recommended.

7. Use superglue to secure the 8 magnets into the recesses on the underside of the front roof panel and the tops of the side panels. Leave the roof open while the glue cures (around 24 hours) to prevent white residue forming. Check magnet polarity carefully so they attract rather than repel.

8. Finally, superglue the two signs into the recesses on either side of the nut tray.

9. Four M3 x 20mm holes are included on the underside of the frame to allow securing down to a plate if needed.

Please let me know if you like this build, or find any mistakes in it - I'd love to see any photos of other colour combinations or makes of it.

You’re free to print, modify, and build on this design — please credit the original design if you share or sell derivatives.