Chuck Melton Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Here's my version of Marc's kitchen helper tower. I am not quite finished, but I am definitely coming down the home stretch. I used thinner stock for the legs (2.5" instead of 4") and dividers (1" instead of 1.5"). When I showed the original version to my wife she said it looked too heavy, so I thinned it out a bit. If I did it again, I may have stuck with the 1.5" dividers to get a beefier Domino in there (I used 5mm on the narrow dividers and 8mm on the 4" dividers). I also added rear dividers instead of putting in the dowel pins. I figure that as the platform get's lowered, the rear dividers could simply be removed if they are in the way. I still have to put the threaded inserts in for the knockdown joints, glue the cleats to the side rails, trim the platform panel, and slap some finish on. This was my first project with the Festool Domino and I absolutely loved using that tool. I ended up with a couple of small gaps in two of the joints on the glued up side panels. I think it was due to the thin rails being a hair longer than the thick rails. I am going to start using my crosscut sled to get parts to final dimension instead of being lazy and using the CMS. I can wait to see finish on that lovey straight grained white oak. I was thinking about minwax tung oil finish. I also have some 100% pure tung oil as well as some GF Arm R Seal on the way from Amazon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Looks nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 Looks great Chuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 How old is your child? I am thinking about building one for my wife for christmas, our daughter is 14 months. I think she still might be a little small for it. Your daughter will be ready for it before you know it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 My wife and I don't have children (yet?). This is a gift for our nephew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 That is true, my oldest is 10 years and I don't know where that time went. Trying to decide if it is worth trying to build in.... 10 days! I could probably get it done but would require some late nights and simplified joinery. Thanks, what a nice gift. How old is your nephew? He turned 2 in October. I am on a mission to not give him anything that's made out of plastic or requires batteries for the first couple years of his live. I made him a xylophone with padauk keys for xmas last year. Does anyone have an opinion on the Minwax Tung Oil Finish for white oak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted December 15, 2014 Report Share Posted December 15, 2014 I'm in the middle of this build too. Just starting the platform today, have the frame built. My daughter is 3, and she will love this thing. I'll post a photo upon completion. Yours is looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ok, as I don't have little ones anymore; Chuck, this thing looks fantastic! So, what is a kitchen helper tower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ok, as I don't have little ones anymore; Chuck, this thing looks fantastic! So, what is a kitchen helper tower? It's a sort of elevated toddler jail that you can push up against a counter to enable them to more effectively assist / observe. Basically, it's a bit safer than having them stand on a chair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Ok, as I don't have little ones anymore; Chuck, this thing looks fantastic! So, what is a kitchen helper tower? Check the Guild site for Marc's recent build on this.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 I don't see it Kev. The Krenov stand was the latest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 On the free site bud.. http://www.thewoodwhisperer.com/videos/arts-crafts-kitchen-helper/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 I'll be darned. That's too cool. Thanks for the directions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I managed to get everything out together and sanded... Just need to slap some finish on it. I took a break to whip up a very rustic six pack holder for our company Yankee gift swap tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Chuck, our IT company gave me something similar this week. The guys there brewed it themselves but bought the carrier. I like yours much better. The opener is a good add on! Too cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Do you deliver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I've been so busy trying to get things wrapped up before I am out of the office for holidays that I set a 60 minute time limit for the beer holder. Everything was out of the scrap pile so I didn't have to mill or rip anything down. I made one end piece and then just resawed it (bandsaw marks are rustic right?), no sanding, and no finish. I really like the no sanding part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I like the cherry (?) vs the other wood. Almost like a variety pack! 60 min. Well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 Here is the little guy hanging out in his new tower. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 Since I don't want to start another thread... Here is an acacia and rosewood recipe box that his mother received. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 28, 2014 Report Share Posted December 28, 2014 So it's an elevated containment system, I get it now ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted December 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 So it's an elevated containment system, I get it now ! I kinda like the term Toddler Paddock, but Helper Tower sounds so much more friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 29, 2014 Report Share Posted December 29, 2014 Jail for junior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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