Help with project ideas

On Dec 17, 1:04 pm, [email protected] wrote:

> As a kid we had ours in big totes, and we had a big drawstring bag
> that you could dump some out on and then close up easily, pretty sure
> it was a Lego product but I have no idea if they still make such a
> thing.

This is what the bag looked like, guess they don't make em anymore but
not complicated to make:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2095961995_aecea1e895.jpg


-Kevin

> Since you're open to suggestions, here's some you might consider.

Interesting ideas. The type that attaches to the wall won't work. If
I do that I am going to have to build a bigger doghouse 'cause that's
where I'll end-up if I drill holes in to the walls.!

Thanks,

-Martin

On Dec 17, 8:33=A0am, DJ Delorie <[email protected]> wrote:
> Some projects I've done that you may be interested in:
>
> http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects/legocab/

I enjoyed looking through your projects. I am starting to develop
some ideas from all of the replies.

Thanks,

-Martin

I like bins over drawers for toys -- they end up being more versatile
(portable, customizable, etc). They're also cheaper and take less
time. Bins work well with tables that have adjustable height, which I
also suggest. I recently built a table with an 20" to 30" height (I
have a toddler), and he loves playing on it. It grows as he does. I
would avoid hinges on top, as if the kids build a masterpiece, they
might lock their toys in the table.

Rounded corners are always good around kids -- a little less necessary
with older kids, but never a bad idea. A trough for lego would be
cool, but make the trough detachable so if they're not playing legos,
it can be put away.

I also have a raised lip around the table top. For a toddler this
means less choo-choos drive over the edge of the cliff. When my son
gets older, I'll simply drop a piece of 3/4" plywood into it to make
everything level. For older kids, it keeps other things (paint, etc)
from going over the edge. It also allows me to put in temporary tops
easily -- I just cut a piece of handyboard to size, and drop it in.
This is great for Thomas toys, where you might have different scenes
at the bottom. It also protects the actual table.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.


John

<[email protected]> wrote in message
> What I envision is an arrangement of project tables along one wall
> with a couple of comfortable couches breaking up the middle of the
> room. The space is our never-used dining room, so it is large about
> 20 x 14 feet. The tables would be along the 20 foot dimension.

Since you're open to suggestions, here's some you might consider. For a row
of tables along a wall that you can build and modify as desired.
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40578&cat=3,43586

For free standing tables.
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40575&cat=3,43586

On Dec 17, 2:35=A0am, m <[email protected]> wrote:
> I am working on building and buing various pieces of furniture for a
> room for my kids. =A0The best way I can describe this room is that it
> should be a place where they can play, explore, do projects, play with
> computers, etc. =A0Due to the age range there will be everything from
> wood blocks to legos to junior science kits a computer and a game
> station there.
>
> What I envision is an arrangement of project tables along one wall
> with a couple of comfortable couches breaking up the middle of the
> room. =A0The space is our never-used dining room, so it is large about
> 20 x 14 feet. =A0The tables would be along the 20 foot dimension.
>
> Couches and chairs we'd buy. =A0The tables I have in mind...well, I
> don't think they exists. =A0So I have to build them. =A0I am having
> trouble figuring out the style that makes sense and the overall
> approach. =A0Hence my post. =A0I have a reasonably well setup woodworking
> setup in ther garage so, with enough time, I can build just about
> anything. =A0Since I don't know furniture styles I figured that maybe I
> can get some pointers here.
>
> I sort of like the Appalachian style. =A0Solid, sturdy, country-like.
> Seems like it could survive abuse. =A0However, this is not a
> conventional table design. =A0Here's a list of some of the things I'd
> like to have:
>
> Plenty of drawers and storage built into the tables. =A0Without this
> legos are going to end-up all over the floor and so will pencils and
> everything else. =A0I also need the room to be easy to tidy-up for the
> occasions when company might visit us and the room needs to feel a
> little less like a play room.
>
> One thought was to also have the table tops split into two halfs and
> hinge them so that they can be lifted to reveal a shallow (3 to 4 in?)
> storage cavity underneath (almost like old style school desks). =A0This
> might allow for storage of projects (to keep one kid from destorying a
> siblings ongoing project) and quick cleanup.
>
> I am also trying to figure out if there's a way to integrate a "Lego
> trough" in the design. =A0The idea is to have a cavity where lots of
> legos can be dumpled into so that the kids can be free to create and
> experiment. =A0The issue with legos is that you have to have the pieces
> right there in front of you to get creative, you can't hide them away
> in drawers...it just doesn't work.
>
> Speaking of drawers, I think they need to be lockable. =A0Some of the
> neighborhood kids are not very well behaved and when they come over
> the drawers would be emptied onto the floor for sure. =A0This might also
> be a good way to keep the little ones from eating small parts when not
> supervised.
>
> There's also the idea of two-level tables. =A0An elevated level might
> serve to hold small boxes with parts and supplies. =A0I am concerned
> about the lack of protection (not lockable) if it is simply a shelf.
>
> I was thinking of ordering the drawers from Rockler. =A0While I would
> love to make everything myself, there really isn't enough time in the
> day to make so many drawers. =A0Is there a better approach or vendor?
>
> I'll stop here. =A0Hopefully something like this exists or at least a
> good starting point. =A0I do want to get this project done so I am
> willing to buy as much as I can and make/modify what can't be
> purchased off the shelf.
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> -Martin

No plans at this site but plenty of inspiration. SWMBO gets the
catalog and I have already built a few things just from the pictures
and dimensions.

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/index.cfm?cm%5Ftype=3Dgnav

Drawers (and I mean more than token storage) is somewhat mutually exclusive
with "table".

Think seriously about using wheels. A low stack of storage drawers could be
be rolled under a table when it needs to be out of the way, and pulled out
when additional access, more knee space, or a low work/place surface is
desired.

If you put the table in wheels it can be moved to the middle of the room
where kids can play in a more social format (face to face). When
appropriate, the whole thing can be rolled against the wall.

-Steve

On Dec 17, 2:35 am, m <[email protected]> wrote:

> Plenty of drawers and storage built into the tables. Without this
> legos are going to end-up all over the floor and so will pencils and
> everything else. I also need the room to be easy to tidy-up for the
> occasions when company might visit us and the room needs to feel a
> little less like a play room.

You could get plastic bin boxes rather than making drawers, you'd just
have have shelves then.

http://www.uline.com/BL_8768/Plastic-Shelf-Bins

I also really like the giant stackable bins:

http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/97784/x-19-78-x-15-14

I have a whole wall of these in my shop full of scraps, and they are
strong enough to stand on them. I think they'd work great in a
playroom, and you can stack them up high enough they basically make
their own furniture and can be reconfigured easily. There's three
different sizes.


> I am also trying to figure out if there's a way to integrate a "Lego
> trough" in the design. The idea is to have a cavity where lots of
> legos can be dumpled into so that the kids can be free to create and
> experiment. The issue with legos is that you have to have the pieces
> right there in front of you to get creative, you can't hide them away
> in drawers...it just doesn't work.

As a kid we had ours in big totes, and we had a big drawstring bag
that you could dump some out on and then close up easily, pretty sure
it was a Lego product but I have no idea if they still make such a
thing.

> Speaking of drawers, I think they need to be lockable. Some of the
> neighborhood kids are not very well behaved and when they come over
> the drawers would be emptied onto the floor for sure. This might also
> be a good way to keep the little ones from eating small parts when not
> supervised.

I'd put a door on the front and make that lockable.

-Kevin

> Think seriously about using wheels

I love wheels. Everything in my shop is on wheels (even shelving
units) and I am glad. From cleaning to re-arranging, it's very
practical. For something that will be located in the living-room area
I do need to look for wheels that look good. In the garage I use
heavy duty industrial casters...I can't use those inside the house.

Thanks,

-Martin

> I like bins over drawers for toys -- they end up being more versatile
> (portable, customizable, etc). =A0They're also cheaper and take less
> time. =A0Bins work well with tables that have adjustable height, which I
> also suggest. =A0I recently built a table with an 20" to 30" height (I
> have a toddler), and he loves playing on it. =A0It grows as he does.

In thinking about it, maybe bins would work as long as they are
located behind good looking doors. Got to discuss with my boss (wife)
to see if that will fly.

How did you make your table height adjustable? There are many ways,
of course. Is it continuously adjustable or in discreet steps (with
pegs or something like that).

Thanks,

-Martin

> You could get plastic bin boxes rather than making drawers, you'd just
> have have shelves then.

I am not sure that this is the look we are going for. I have lots of
these in the garage, they won't work in the living room.

As I am not a furniture expert I am having difficulty describing what
I am after. I want a cozy country feel to the area yet lots of
functionality and flexibility. Not sure if that says anything to
anyone who knows furniture but that's what's in my head.

-Martin

Some projects I've done that you may be interested in:

http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects/legocab/

Lego cabinet. Many tray-like drawers, tray supports, working
top, etc.

http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects/tables/

Rotating doll house table (we use it for a TV now) (second one
down on that page).

http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects/craft-table/

Craft table - washable top, large overhang for clamping on
stuff, sturdy enough to sit on.

http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects/router/

Router table, but it could be adapted into a mad scientist's
lab table.

As for making many drawers, the trick is to make an assembly line with
a design that's easy to cut and assemble. I use a Leigh jig to
dovetail a whole pile of parts, all interchangable after that, and
assemble a whole bunch of drawers at once. After the first piece, the
rest go very quickly. I did a dozen drawers for our dining room
corner cabinets that way. Alternately, pocket screws - not as pretty,
but very fast and you only need rectangular bits of wood.