Hiller recommends using a PVC pipe cutter, a tool you can get for $10 to $20, for pipes that are 1.5 inches in diameter or smaller. For larger pipes, he advises using a miter saw .

Take a piece of 4-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe and cut it to your desired length. This will be the main body of your bird feeder ...

With the PVC pipe upright, tap the end cap on with a dead-blow hammer or mallet. Twist the end cap slightly to evenly distribute the cement, then finish tapping the cap until it is firmly seated.

I used PVC for decades, and it’s fantastic material. As you might expect, it comes in different sizes. The most common sizes you’d use around your home would be 1½-, 2wo-, three- and four-inch.