ToyBox

[Rob Williams]

So I'm working on some toyboxes for the kids, so thier rooms will no longer look like ratholes...

I figured I'd share if anybody is interested.

Specs:
3/4 Birch ply sides and bottom, 3/4 Maple ply top with solid maple edgebanding.

The Fingers of the box joints fit TIGHT, I shaved the fingers on the sides (only) just a hair for a better fit, but on the second one I plan to try adjusting it by making my 1/4" bit diameter .245 in PW. Since we all have our own ways of dealing with things I figured I'd offer up the files as is and let you deal with it how you will. The box joints are an exact fit in the CAD software.

In the dxf file the top is actually two pieces, the picture shows a one piece top.

In the DXF there are 1/4 holes at the corners of the box joints for dealing with the inside corners.

The Dados for the bottom are at .75 wide, and should be .25 deep in the final toolpath.

That's all I can think of, feel free to download and play around with it. I plan to do some engraving on the fronts for the kids, I have a train motif for the boy, and a princess/castle motif for the girl...

File can be downloaded here: www.robtown.com/toybox.zip

it is a dxf as PW files are a little more difficult to edit (IMHO) and I don't want to take responsibility for your toolpaths.

[Mike John]

You can buy safety hinges for toy boxes which prevent the lid slamming down on small children.
Also there has to be enough 'air holes' to prevent suffocation in case a little one climbs in and shuts the lid.
Robs 'shape' in the front of the box probable needs to be a little larger, and similar shapes on the sides would help.
Making toys, I know how stringent the regulations are. I also know from statistics that young lives are lost each year in toy box accidents.
But with those two pieces of information, it looks like Rob has a great toy or blanket box.
............Mike

[Brady Watson]

Looks great Rob! Clean, simple & functional.

We had a similar toybox growing up...except no safety hinges, no vent holes and a big brother that was 6yrs heavier than me...Why deprive your kids of that kind of fun???

[Ron Brown]

Nice work Rob,

On my last "dovetail" project everything fit a little "too" tight. It was a bear to assemble. I put a little "lead-in" in the inside of the dovetails to help the start.

The geometry of dovetails is different than box joints so the lead-in was completly hidden when assembled. The assembly was a lot easier. IIRC it was "only" 0.010-0.015".

And Gerald, some of the kids diving in the dumpsters here will weigh 15 stone or more. I like the idea of a "live-trap" rather than a death bin.....

Ron

[Pascal Riendeau (Paco)]

Thanks for sharing Rob!

[Mike John]

"Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. For extra safety, be sure there are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze."
From the American Child Protection Organisation.
I don't see humour in dead or injured children, anyones children.
..............Mike

[David J. Morris]

Thanks for sharing Rob. I plan on cutting one as soon as my SB gets here. (Just ordered it today.)

[Dave Rosenbleeth]

Rob: Please don't forget that building toyboxes also requires the use of non-toxic finishes.
(Nice Work)

Dave

[Andrew Morgan]

Rob thanks for sharing.

Did you have to hand cut the inside corners of the finger joints since you used a 1/4" bit?

Dovetail and finger joint templates are cut with the bit in-line with the wood which leaves a sharp corner. Is anyone using the Shopbot with a fixture to hold the boards vertically to route dovetails?

Leigh makes some interesting templates for their dovetail jig called Isoloc templates. It seems like the ShopBot could make some really interesting joints, really easily. Has anyone tried this?

[Scott Worden]

Here's an example of one that I recently used for a small box. I can't remember where I saw the design, but I had been wanting to try it for quite a while and finally gave it a shot. You couldn't have asked for a better fit.