The new playgym

[steptoe91(tozie)]

okay, i wanted to make a new kitchen playgym. one that is more fun for the fids. One with toys, places to climb, and i even plan to add a few food bowls. As i type, skittles is "trouble shooting" the playgym. i let him on it and play for a bit to show me anything that is not sturdy enough. a few people have asked for a step by step tutorial of how i did it. so i have obliged.

Get all your wood together, make sure you have a bit too much, cause it really sucks to screw up a piece of wood and have to wait to finish the project til ya run up to lowes.    This project took:

7  3/4inch dowels
1  1inch dowel
3  2x4's... the 8 foot ones
1  1x10, 8 feet long  board
1   2x2  board
1   1x2 board

Use only untreated wood.  



Tools i used:
jigsaw
corded drill, cordless usually isnt powerful enough on the hardwoods of the dowels
MOST IMPORTANT TOOL:  TAPE MEASURE, measure twice cut once. trust me on this! lol!




okay
first i planned the height of the bottom level. i cut the legs, the 2x4's, then i cut the dowels. I used my drillbit, i cant remember what its called but it has "wings" and its for drilling big holes in wood. its wonderful. i used a 3/4 in drill bit so my dowels fit perfectly. the long sides i drilled all the way through, but the short side i only drilled about an inch and a half deep. so they are sunk into the 2x4 but not all the way through. this gives them more support than just screwing it to the wood.
For the second level, i used more 2x4's, held at an angle by the dowels. the dowels on the long sides are not screwed to the playgym but the short ones have to be for proper support. for the top level, i took the piece of 1x2 and screwed it off center to the top level of dowels. then the 2x2 for the support for the topmost dowel. Add a couple toy holders from birdcagesforless.com, brass cup holders to connect the plastic chain. Later i plan to add some food bowls and some more toys and more chain, and some wheels. but skittles was itching to play. so i quit for now. those of you who wanted details, i can type some more detailed instructions and send it to ya if ya want.

my protective eye goggles, go ahead, snicker, i did.



cutting with the jigsaw



measuring



drill with the funny "winged" drillbit



drilling the legs for the dowels





starting to fit it all together



one side with the base attached, bottom level



all four sides together, bottom level



skittles checking out the first level







adding the second level





skittles defending the playgym. he wouldnt let me add the top level.







adding the top level





skittles playing with the finished product












and the aftermath, lol

[BPMar]

  What a great job and I think Skittles really approves!  Did you make up the design yourself?  You must be so proud of yourself

[vistosmommy]

wow you did good!!!  I love it, a little bigger than what i would need but now i feel like i can make one!

[steptoe91(tozie)]

i used this as a guide:



i got the pic from

http://stores.itsplaytimeavianproducts.com

i made a plan on paper and i did the first two levels without any screws to make sure it was gonna work. then i went back and added the base and screwed the dowels in that needed to be screwed in. i also had drew, my son, help with a few areas i couldnt get to work right. he made a couple suggestions. he's a natural when it comes to engineering and design. Skittles is still playing on the new playgym. he's really having a blast. <pout> and i have a blister on my thumb.
I am really proud of myself. I'm getting better at this stuff.

[vistosmommy]

wow you guys really did an awesome job.  Maybe I should ask Drew to help design one for visto based on the picture of what i want!  lol

[Erithacus]

Very nice! Can I order one?

[Sondra]

FANTASTIC!!

[zimbasmom]

OMG it is awesome! 

[patti3birds]

WOW
You guys make such a Great team together and The Space- Its huge!!...you kitchen is 6 times larger than mine......Wow....

you one smart cookie!!

Thank you for the list and Awesome Pictures!!...your so cute!...

I really hope that this inspires My Husband for I told him about your height...if you can do this, surely a 6'5 Man can...LOL** Printing now....Thanks

GREAT JOB DUDE< really

[wishforabird]

  WOW!! I DID NOT EXPECT THIS!!! i am so IMPRESSED!!! 

it is HUGE!! it is sound and sold and really fun, skittles proved THAT!!

it has a lot of places to put things and so forth, , yeah  I think you have a little side job if you want one!! just make sure you get paid IN ADVANCE.

a lot of the JUNK out there cannot even compare to this quality. and it is safe too. BRAVO!

*chuckle, you are so cute in your safety goggles

[steptoe91(tozie)]

thank you all for your praise! i love it! makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! <grin>

ya know, there is no better troubleshooter than a fid. before i even had the dowels secured and the legs on the base, skittles was lunging and bouncing on it!  skittles discovered the silver toy holders from birdcages for less are flimsey and need reinforcing at the base. Ollie has found that the 2x4's holding up the second level taste wonderful! lol! he has managed to chew the wood so the dowel rod is exposed on one of the 4 in less than an hour. so far the chain and the brass cup holders are holding up to the fids. they are already chewing up the ends of the dowels on the long side, but those are easily replaced. but let me tell ya, they are having a blast! lol! so far they are okay with taking turns playing on it. ollie likes it the most, but ollie doesnt have the play area skittles has next to his cage. 

[Mi Amore]

wow tozie that is awesome.. maybe u could do this as a full time job? i know i would order at least one from you. your fids are sure lucky to have a mom that can build like that.. u put man men to shame girl

[steptoe91(tozie)]

aaaawwww, well thanks. <blush> that makes me feel good. its not quite pretty enough for selling. but it does the job. <grin>

[Ditty]

way cool! 

[Debz]

Well shave my ass and call me stunning! <----no idea.... that is an engineering fabulous feet!
I love it! and my lordie, skittles is gorgeous! kudos!