Promethianfire
4224
75
2
I neglected to take progress pictures until now, but you can get the idea.
The frame 8' square and two 2x8's high. I ran 1x8s along the bottom to keep the landscape fabric from being ruined by shovels, with 1/2" gaps for drainage.
It doesn't come together quite as nicely as I'd hoped, but at least it's strong. All the 1x6 bracing is glued and screwed.
Tools, including my little helper's play tools.
"My help Daddy."
You can see the frame better here. I will seal the gaps between the first boards at each end to (hopefully) prevent wasps from making a home right next to where my kids play. At first I planned to use wood filler, but the gaps are too big for it. My wife suggested using plastic tubing, which I'll seal in place with caulk.
[Edit: nice.]
ArmlessHoodieDance
You can buy and hang a false wasp nest nearby; wasps won’t build there if they think it’s already occupied territory.
tr26
Covers on sandboxes are critical- nicely done!
Fixitman64
Looks awesome OP! Maybe glue & brad nail a strip of 1/2 round along the top of the backrest to close up the gap. It will give it a finished look without looking like you tried to fix something.
Promethianfire
Nice. Thank you.
TripUpStairs
¼ cup cinnamon per square foot, to repel bugs and cats. Never tried myself.
UnitConversionBot
8' ≈ 2.4 metres or 4.1 washing machines
mwoodman
@OP if I may make a couple of recommendations based on my own attempt at something similar. 1: put down weedguard AND a welded-wire fence grid on top of that, under the sand. Provided the grid is rated for below grade (won’t rust/corrode) and will be safe for little bare feet. It’s helpful to have something that will stop toy shovels, garden tools, etc. from penetrating the weed guard.
mwoodman
2. Make sure the lid can be secured when upright so wind or munchkins won’t be able to close it on the noggin or limbs of other munchkins. Consider using soft-close hinges.
mwoodman
3. Treat all of the wood with insecticide (esp. for spiders, especially under the lid.) if you can find one that your comfortable with exposing the little ones to. The one I built was like a Hilton for black widows. :(
Promethianfire
I'm trying to seal the hollow bits as best as I can, but yeah, I do worry about it being a critter hotel.
THEmichaelscarn12
I see no sand or more importantly Tonka truck. Please update when completed
Promethianfire
This is a birthday present for my kids. Their birthdays are a week apart. My oldest will be 6, and I want this to be a surprise. I've told her I'm building a raised bed garden. I'm having sand delivered on her birthday. Hopefully, she won't figure out that gardens don't have lids.
THEmichaelscarn12
MoodyMagpie
This is beautiful! Way to go, Daddio.
Promethianfire
Thank you.
Idownvotegunnuts
May I suggest a lock to keep the lids in the open position. To prevent little ones from playing with them and slamming a hand under one.
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
Important safety tip. Thanks, Egon.
AGiantSlor
Promethianfire
Good suggestion. If nothing else, I'm going to put rubber bumpers in place to mitigate pinches.
neilwatkinsfromaccounting
Rubber baby bumpers?
Promethianfire
https://youtu.be/EwQ3pbMzadw
badgerbadgerbadgermushroommushroom
I thought those are just for buggies.