Toy Chest

Nice box, it looks a heck of alot better than the one I made for my kids when they were little.

-- ~Jason~ , Albuquerque NM

looks good man

-- kosta Virginia Beach, VA http://www.kostasworkshop.blogspot.com/

Well done!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Thanks all!

Great Lookin Chest

-- Jim, Kentucky

Very nice toy chest.

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

Great toy chest. Probably full of toys by now.

-- Donnie-- listen to the wood.

Very nice. Whatch out for those sharp corners.

-- Magnolia, Texas

Nice toy chest.

What sort of hinges did you use for the lid… are they child-friendly?

-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."

Thanks again, everybody. Hugh mentioned the corners. I originally planned on sanding roundovers all around, but after assembling it, I didn’t think round corners fit the design. So I’m probably going to build a simpler one, probably a shaker style 6 board chest, and round the heck out of it. Then maybe make this one a blanket chest. Or I could pull this one back in the shop and round it, haven’t decided yet. I only used shellac and wax for a finish so that it wouldn’t be a big deal to make a change.

Jonathan, I used a piano hinge and a friction support hinge from Home Depot. It closes nice and slow, although it’s a little tough for the little guy to open it right now.

Since you mentioned that you intend to make another one, let me suggest the following changes (all of which can be “retrofit” on the one you made):

1. Round the corners and edges all around.
2. Rockler sells torsion hinges for use on toy boxes. They hold the top where you leave it, and they prevent it from slamming down on the little one’s fingers/hand.
3. Include some type of air holes, just in case the little guy climbs inside and closes it. NOTE: This was a STRONG suggestion from a pediatrician cousin.

You might want to take a look at the one I made for my grandson, Ian, as it incorporates each of the above.

Thanks for all the tips, Sandy. I never would have thought about air holes, that’s a great suggestion. Not sure how I’ll add them at this stage though, other than drilling a few random holes in the bottom. I like yours a lot, similar design to mine, better execution.

I just routed a “hand grip” slot into the top of the front panel where it serves, also, as the “air hole”. You can see it inn three photos that Ian and I are not in.