I'm looking to make a bird bath with a saucer 14-18 in. wide. All the store-bought ones I've seen are either too small and shallow, or, large but very overpriced. Also I'll probably mount it to a 90 degree plant-hanging bracket placed on a fence post, with the arm underneath the saucer.

I've read 2 in. depth of water is advised, with either rocks with sloping sides in it, or, a saucer with sloping sides that are shallower at the edges and deeper in the center.

I've seen plastic 18 in. saucers that are 2 in. deep, but read that plastic edges get very hot in summer sun, while ceramic doesn't get as hot.

I've seen ceramic saucers that are 14 in., but once a little wider they become much more expensive. I'm also not sure how to mount the bottom of the saucer to the plant-hanging bracket, unless I mount a plywood base under the ceramic saucer.

If you also know a good quality and good value commercial bird bath, appreciate that too!

I have seen plastic saucers that size in Lowe's. They are clear plastic. I am wondering if clear plastic would stay cooler. The clear nature would not absorb as much of the suns' heat making it better for the birds I would think.

Thank you Bill. Is it thicker stiff plastic, or the really thin kind? I've noticed birds like to perch on the rim of saucers, and if it's the really thin clear plastic saucers I've seen, it may be to sharp for them. I'll take a look for them and see what they're like.

Okay.
I would say medium thickness but at a buck something each, could you use two at a time?

A few years ago I bought a heavy ceramic planter saucer from my local garden center that I frequent, and it made a wonderful bird bath. It was actually sloped like a regular bird bath, a bit deeper in the center, and was the perfect depth and price. It was 18" and only cost $15 (I think it was a 20% off sale, but still cheap compared to bird baths). I'm not sure how you'd attach it to a fence post though, that wide the ceramic is heavier, which is what I liked about it.

I just used it on the ground with planters around it. There's also shorter black wrought iron stands you could place it on top of, those wouldn't need to be an exact fit, and again those were much cheaper than a bird bath pedestal.