So, Joseph was given a Little Tykes plastic slide from some friends of ours - but the slide is too big to keep indoors. And, since I put it out in the backyard a few weeks ago, Joe sees it and cries "slide"... "slide"...

Being a good father with a Shopbot, I finally had a chance this morning to run to the shop while my wife kept him busy - and in little more than an hour (seriously) I had this ready to come home!

The file I drew up (for the sides) this morning over breakfast. The sides are 1/2" Baltic Birch ply. The steps and slide are set in 3/8". The slide is covered in a layer of black post form grade Formica. I have the spray on contact cement ready to go in the tank, so it only took a minute.

The sides took 6 minutes per side to cut out, and after hand sanding everything (after the faces were done on the widebelt) I kerfed the back of the slide on the table saw, and assembled everything. Used Titebond III, with some Titebond HighPur to fillet the underside of the joints for added strength (and so I could take it home immediately).

He likes it, as does his buddy Jack. They are both about the same age... very easy for them to climb and go down. Much better than anything I have seen on the market.

Cool!