I need some help with a birthday project

[MF1455v]

Harvey, when I first started reading this thread, with the grandson already having every toy possable, I had already pictured a piece of furniture. Maybe a toy chest or a wood/iron bed. I'm not sure I have the block concept pictured yet, but I'm sure it will be great. Looking foward to seeing what you have in mind.

James

 

[alan40]

How about a sandbox/table combination with a couple of chairs/benchs. You could also make box benches that would store toys etc. I would reccomend a small back support on the benchs so thereare no tumbles backwards. You can always build new legs as the child gets bigger too. My youngest boy is 5. We have a sand box on legs so he can stand up and play. He loves it! Of course it's in a unfinished basement so it sweeeps easily.
We play in it every day!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Hope this helps.

 

[KubotaSteve]

Harv,
I have a 3 year old and judging by his interest in things, I'm not sure the time and energy spent on the block set would be offset by his energy. I think building something a little more simple (toy box or chair with his name in it, stool, kids table, etc.) and letting him help with handing you a nail or screw or something would be better. Believe me, my 3 year old loves to be in the shop with his pappy (my dad) and loves to get his hands on the DeWalt 18 Volt drill /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (smart kid) or hammer, adjustable wrench, etc.
Case in point, I just finnished putting up a 12 foot tal swingset with a rope climb and swings. It was more for the 9 year old, but I figured he would want to swing too (they have a smaller swing set too). Anyways he picks up a piece of the 3/16" chain left over from the swings (about a 5 ft. piece) and proceeds to ask me if he can play with it. He drug that chain all over the place (I kept a close eye on him even after I warned him I had better not see the chain near his neck). My point was I spent several hundred dollars on a swingset and he was playing with a piece of 5 ft chain (50ft. pail from Harbor freight for $27).
I've always found that time is the best gift for small children. My 3 year old would follow his pappy around out in the heat instead of sit inside in the AC watching cartoons or playing with toys.

 

[Bird]

I hadn't responded to this thread because:

1. </font><font color="blue" class="small">( wife thinks I've lost what little bit I ever had )</font> and no way I'm gonna disagree with Glenda,

2. </font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm not sure I have the block concept )</font> Me, neither, and

3. If Harvey builds it, it'll probably be something the kid will have as a keepsake when he's an old man.

 

[gsganzer]

I like the heirloom rocking horse idea.

 

[scott_vt]

Hi Harv,
Walnut is a beautiful wood both to look at and work with. It does have some issues that need to be addressed. Dust from working with this wood is very unhealthy. If your planning on making some type of toys with it you need to seal it. Wood Workers warehouse has a product that you can finish it with and even use it for a walnut salad bowl. Come to think of it, I think its called salad bowl finish. That way if a child has it in their mouth shouldnt be a problem !

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Since we were in a hurry and my friend with the chainsaw mill wasn't available until Sunday afternoon I went with another friend and his bandsaw.

That meant cutting the log in half......twice. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Then it was putting the half-halves through the band saw so we could get boards.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That was Saturday night. Sunday morning I ran the boards through the table saw and planer. I only kept out about a third of them for the grandson's present.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

They're beautiful boards. But they're still too green for immediate use.

So I went into my stash and found this pieces of massanaduraba (South American teak also known as ironwood). It's a 1 5/8 X 3 5/8 X 96" inch plank.