| Project by Scott Wigginton | posted 187 days ago | 331 views | 1 time favorited | 9 comments |  |
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I live in an older house (built in the 1880s) which lacks any sort of built in storage. As my daughter’s collection of toys has continued to grow I finally decided to build her a toybox to alieve some of the overflow.
Similar to my first project (Toddler Bed), and also built in December 2006, this toybox made with only a miter saw, circular saw, and cordless drill using dimensional lumber, plywood, and a complete lack of knowledge on woodworking techniques and jointery. I made the front and back sections similar to the toddler bed, but then was at a loss for how best to connect the sides, bottom, and top. Luckily us engineers tend to view everything as a problem with a solution set waiting to be found.
I managed to edge glue the top boards without clamps using some wedging action between some immovable objects and some hefty things found around my garage to keep things flat. Nothing like the delicate smoothing ability of my 6” angle grinder to break the edges.
To attach the bottom prior to knowledge of dados I ended up adding a support rail to nail the plywood onto. The sides of the box were simply nailed onto the existing frame and a piano hinge for the top. Another white primer and painted to match the bed and she had her first furniture set.
The largest struggle was to find a good stop-fall to prevent my daughter from hurting herself with the top. At first I could only find items that cushioned the blow from a full fall for the last few inches. I wanted something that would assist in the opening so my daughter could get her toys out without having to hold the top open, and still not let it crush her fingers if she lets go. I finally managed to find the correct type of hinge at Lowes and it has been a blessing in allowing her to use it without any injuries (except for her falling off the top!)
-- Scott
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9 comments so far
Scott Bryan
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8494 posts in 264 days
posted 187 days ago
Scott,
This is a nice project and one that I sure was a necessity. This toy chest gives her some personal space where she can put her valuables. It amazing how possessive they get about “their toys”. It also gets them off the floor, furniture, etc.
I have said it before, too often we tend to view obstacles as the reason why we can’t complete a task rather than looking at them as challenges to be overcome so that we can complete the project.
Nice post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Scott Wigginton
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18 posts in 188 days
posted 187 days ago
Another fun aspect was using a sheet of plywood in the back of my pickup as my entire shop and workbench since my detached garage was completely full of lawn equipment.
-- Scott
rikkor
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7112 posts in 317 days
posted 187 days ago
You got a lot done with a little. I am guessing your daughter loves it. Good job.
-- Maplewood, MN
Scott
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51 posts in 304 days
posted 187 days ago
Hello
I am impressedwith your positive attitude. Keep working at it. Being a follow engineer I can understand that each problem is just a challange waiting for a solution. I recommend that you put your first bit of money into a good router and a tablesaw first. There are books on both and you will be amazed on what you can do with them. I also have had very good luck getting used books on abebooks.com.
Best of luck with your future in woodworking.
-- Scott, Kentucky ----- "Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry" Mark Twain
cpt_hammer
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69 posts in 255 days
posted 187 days ago
Here’s an idea that I saw on a HGTV show for toyboxes to prevent finger pinching. Cut a 1/2” gap along the top pieces and only let the lid contact at the corners. That way, even if the lid were to come down real fast, the last 1/2” won’t be closed in by the lid, except on the corners. That’s what I plan on doing with the toybox that I’m planning to build.
Scott Wigginton
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18 posts in 188 days
posted 187 days ago
I placed some 1/4” thick felt on the corners to help the finger threat. My daughter’s biggest danger was from dropping the lid on her head while she was trying to reach in for a toy.
-- Scott
clieb91
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294 posts in 377 days
posted 187 days ago
Scott, The bed and the toybox both look real good. Great way to just tackle a a project.
I need to start thinking about building my daughter’s toybox here soon.
Look forward to seeing more projects.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."
Jiri Parkman
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552 posts in 255 days
posted 186 days ago
Nice.
-- Jiri
Sawdustmaker
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253 posts in 240 days
posted 186 days ago
Hey Scott, Nice project on a shoestring. If you ever want to get together and talk shop over a cold one let me know. ShipWreck is just around the corner from me.
-- Brian, Virginia Beach