Hey look.
It's a block.
And I'm pushing it.
It's a push block.
Microjig. Maker of the GRR-RIPPER
Work safer. Work smarter.
The cart itself is just a simple box.
You could build it out of plywood if you like,
but I'm going to use 3/4" pine boards.
One thing that's important with children's projects
is to make sure all the boards are sanded over
nice and smooth so there are no sharp edges.
I want the two sides to extend beyond the ends
about a quarter inch.
To make that a little easier to set up,
I've cut a quarter inch piece of MDF.
I'll use it as a spacer.
And I'll secure it with a few nails.
I'm gluing these braces and the underside of the cart.
And fine-tune it with this 2" spacers.
Most of the building blocks are the same width
so I'm going to rip those all at the same time.
I think I can save a little time if I ease over
all of these sharp edges before
I cut the blocks to their lengths.
If you have a thin enough blade
you can use your bandsaw to cut out
these arched pieces.
I'm going to use my scrollsaw.
This quarter inch thick panel will fit on those braces.
For even more variety, I'm making
some of the blocks a half inch thick.
If you don't have a planer,
you could just make more of the 3/4" blocks.
I'm going to use screws for the wheel axles
and they're going to go right through these two braces.
I need to mark where those go really carefully
so that they're even.
I'm marking a point a half inch up from the bottom
and then aligned with the brace.
With my drill press set at its slowest speed
I've got a 3.5" hole saw to cut out the wheels.
This quarter inch piece gets glued onto the bottom.
Colors!
I'm going to put the wheels on now using
these rather large screws.
I've got a fender washer that I'll put between
the wheel and the cart.
Then I'm going to run the screw through the wheel
and screw it in.
I want to get it to where it's tight and the wheel won't spin,
then just back it off a little.
This is about a three foot piece of nylon rope
and I'll just tie it in like that.
And I'll tie a knot of this side.
I should point out also that spray paint is
child safe once it's completely dry.
I think this is a really good way to help teach kids
sorting techniques.
I think there is a lot of different ways you can sort
the blocks inside of this cart.
To make it a little bit easier for you,
I have included one method for sorting them in the plans.
Of course most kids will probably use this sorting method.
Okay, all cleaned up!
I've you'd like to make your own cart and blocks
check down in the description for a free set of plans.
And I'd also like to thank Randy Sharp this week.
Last week on my Mere Minutes show
I asked all of you for Christmas gift building ideas
and especially toys.
And he sent over his plans for this cart.
If you don't know anyone to build one of these for,
you might consider making them for sale.
The materials are really inexpensive
and it would be really simple to just batch them out.
That's what Randy does.
He makes tons of these things
and I think it would have a pretty high profit margin.
And since I don't have any toddlers in my life,
I'm auctioning off my cart and blocks set.
If you'd like to bid on it,
check down in the description for a link to
the eBay auction.
And remember, 100% of your winning bid
goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
And I've got a quick programming note:
I'm taking next week off for the Thanksgiving holiday
so I won't have a regular project video next Friday.
But, I am going to have a special announcement video
on Friday.
And I'm going to have another special announcement
video on Wednesday.
So you'll want to keep an eye out for those.
If this is your first time here to
Woodworking for Mere Mortals, welcome!
I'd love for you to take just a moment to hit that
subscribe button so that you won't miss a video.
Thank you all so much for watching
and I'll see you next time.