Building a children’s life size “log” construction set from old fence boards

[Frank Pellow]

Early this week, my Delta 15 inch 240 volt planer started to trip it’s 20 amp circuit breaker. I am not sure what the problem is and, thanks to Rick Thom, I can put off solving it until later. Rick knew that I wanted to get sufficient parts made this week so that some interesting structures can be built. I am leaving Toronto in a couple of days to go to our camp in Northern Ontario and I want to take the log kit with me. Tuesday morning about 8:30 Rick arrived unannounced with his DeWalt 13 inch portable planer. I made good use of it during the rest of the week:



I made a lot more of the same parts shown earlier. In addition, Isla and I designed windows and doors. I made two windows and one door frame. Both the window and door frames are the same width and are used in the middle of a wall with the short wall pieces stacked on each side and embedded in the envelope formed by the frame. Below are a couple of pictures showing a window under construction.

First acrylic is installed in slots cut into the frame:



Then, molding is glued and screwed on all four edges of both side of the frame, forming and envelope that will surround a portion of the adjacent logs:



The space between the molding is slightly (about 5mm) wider than the logs so that the window can easily be put in place and subsequently removed by children.

The following series of three pictures shows a (very low) wall with a window being built:
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Observe the log above the widow. It does not appear very well in this photo but the log has been decorated by one of my grandchildren –Ethan. I plan to have each of my grandchildren decorate one or two logs. The decorated log has also had one coat of Spar Urethane applied over the drawing. All the logs will eventually have Spar Urethane applied.

A similar approach was used to build a door frame:



The door frame has a built-in sill that fits over the half log below and rests on the ground. We have yet to design a door. It must be something that a child can easily install into the frame and remove from the frame.

[Art Mulder]

Frank, you're having far too much fun.

But... you're taking this up to Pellow's Camp!?!?!? But, Frank, you drive a car! Where are you going to fit all this stuff in? Doesn't Margaret want to take a few things like, oh I dunno, clothes and food, with you?

Well, I'm sure that Isla and Ethan will have fun when they come up there to visit you, building their own cottage at the cottage...

[Frank Pellow]

Frank, you're having far too much fun....

Well, I certainly am having fun. It's a reward to me after the months of garden construction work.

But... you're taking this up to Pellow's Camp!?!?!? But, Frank, you drive a car! Where are you going to fit all this stuff in? Doesn't Margaret want to take a few things like, oh I dunno, clothes and food, with you?

I will be towing a utility trailer and it's pretty well up to me what goes in the trailer. Margaret gets to fill the car, I get to fill the trailer.

Well, I'm sure that Isla and Ethan will have fun when they come up there to visit you, building their own cottage at the cottage...

Yep! Also, some other children usually visit.

[Don Taylor]

Frank! Don't forget to take your GrandDaughter!


DT

[Allen Bookout]

You are always full of supprises Frank. That is a great idea and I know that when your grandkids get older, if they do not know already, that they will realize that they have one great Granddad.

I realize that Toronto is on the outskirts of civilization and as you go north that you will not have any electicity or internet so have a great trip and I look forward to your reports when you return. I wonder if a satellite phone will work up there. In any case, be careful.

Allen

[Vaughn McMillan]

The log set is looking great, Frank. Have a good trip to the camp, and we'll expect pictures and a trip report when you get back to civilization.

[Toni Ciuraneta]

Hey Frank!

Do you realise that your are building a heirloom construction set?

Your granddaugther and your future gran-grand daugthers/sons will be very happy and remember what a great grandfather they have.

So your are having great fun building it and you'll have more watching them play with it and even play with them as well.

Keep up with the good work, enjoy your holydays and keep on posting

[Frank Pellow]

You are always full of supprises Frank. That is a great idea and I know that when your grandkids get older, if they do not know already, that they will realize that they have one great Granddad.

Thanks Allen!

I realize that Toronto is on the outskirts of civilization and as you go north that you will not have any electicity or internet so have a great trip and I look forward to your reports when you return. I wonder if a satellite phone will work up there. In any case, be careful.

Allen

My view of civilization quite different and I look on the lack of a phone that can interrupt conversations as being really civilized. Margaret does have a cell phone that sort of works on the island, but it is just for emergencies and we never turn it on for incomming calls.

[Frank Pellow]

...
I will be towing a utility trailer and it's pretty well up to me what goes in the trailer. Margaret gets to fill the car, I get to fill the trailer.
...

I just packed all the parts made so far into the trailer:



and they leave a lot of room for my tools and other stuff. There are sufficient parts to construct a small building with two windows, a door and a roof. Sometime in the future, I will make at least as many parts again and then we will be able to make some really interesting structures.

[Allen Bookout]

Thanks Allen!


My view of civilization quite different and I look on the lack of a phone that can interrupt conversations as being really civilized.

You got me there Frank. I have to agree. Many years ago I spend a short time on an island in the South Pacific with the only communication device being a two way radio that operated a few hours a day. What a great peaceful experience that was. I expect that you find the same where you have your retreat. Have a great trip!

Allen