Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Are you tired of cheap toys, cheap electronic toys, cheap plastic toys, cheap plastic electronic toys?
Do you want to craft something for that special child in your life? Or have a neat coffee table toy?
Well, I have the project for you. This one will bring you back to your childhood, and when it's done, it's something that everyone will marvel at.
Blocks... Yes blocks.
This instructable will show you how you can turn a $3 2x4 into a set of your very own, homemade blocks. We have seven shapes in our set, the brick, the long bridge, the short bridge, the square, the square column, the round column, and the triangle. Feel free to create your own shapes as you see fit!
Originally, I made a set of blocks when my youngest son was 2. However, shortly after making them, we gave them to my nieces for Christmas. Unfortunately, we never got around to making another set... Until now. My sister-in-law was lamenting the toy choices for my niece, and I offered to make a set of blocks. And we decided to document as an instructable.
As a matter of fact, try finding a set of wooden blocks to buy. There aren't many choices and most are more than $50.
So, here's what you need:
Materials
1 - 2x4x8 - Pine ( get the $3 one, not the $1.50 one.) As straight, and ding free as possible.
1 - 1.5" x 36"diameter hardwood dowel
Cost - About $7
Tools:
Saws - Table and Miter, or hand saws and miter box
Drill - Hand or Press
Drill Bits - 3/8" and 2.5" hole bit
Sander - Hand or Belt
Safety:
Goggles
Gloves
Dust mask
Do you want to craft something for that special child in your life? Or have a neat coffee table toy?
Well, I have the project for you. This one will bring you back to your childhood, and when it's done, it's something that everyone will marvel at.
Blocks... Yes blocks.
This instructable will show you how you can turn a $3 2x4 into a set of your very own, homemade blocks. We have seven shapes in our set, the brick, the long bridge, the short bridge, the square, the square column, the round column, and the triangle. Feel free to create your own shapes as you see fit!
Originally, I made a set of blocks when my youngest son was 2. However, shortly after making them, we gave them to my nieces for Christmas. Unfortunately, we never got around to making another set... Until now. My sister-in-law was lamenting the toy choices for my niece, and I offered to make a set of blocks. And we decided to document as an instructable.
As a matter of fact, try finding a set of wooden blocks to buy. There aren't many choices and most are more than $50.
So, here's what you need:
Materials
1 - 2x4x8 - Pine ( get the $3 one, not the $1.50 one.) As straight, and ding free as possible.
1 - 1.5" x 36"diameter hardwood dowel
Cost - About $7
Tools:
Saws - Table and Miter, or hand saws and miter box
Drill - Hand or Press
Drill Bits - 3/8" and 2.5" hole bit
Sander - Hand or Belt
Safety:
Goggles
Gloves
Dust mask
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Block Dimensions
Before we cut out our blocks, we need to determine the dimensions of our blocks.
As a 2X4 is really 1.5x3.5, most of the pieces use the 3.5" width.
This are the dimensions i used.
(1) Square - 3.5" x 3.5"
(2) Brick - 7" x 3.5"
(3) Triangle 3.5 "x 3.5" x 5"
(4) Square Column 1.5" x 1.5" x 3.5"
(5) Round Column 1.5"D x 3.5"
(6) Long Bridge 5" x 1.75"
(7) Short Bridge 2.5" x 3.5"
As a 2X4 is really 1.5x3.5, most of the pieces use the 3.5" width.
This are the dimensions i used.
(1) Square - 3.5" x 3.5"
(2) Brick - 7" x 3.5"
(3) Triangle 3.5 "x 3.5" x 5"
(4) Square Column 1.5" x 1.5" x 3.5"
(5) Round Column 1.5"D x 3.5"
(6) Long Bridge 5" x 1.75"
(7) Short Bridge 2.5" x 3.5"
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
Green Toys
For the educationally minded, "unit" blocks made to a ratio of 1:2:4 in large enough quantity to allow for the construction of almost anything are fantastic!
Here is a nice sample: http://www.sciencemusings.com/blog/2008/02/block-heads.html
Cheers - I have to go play now!!