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22 February 2011

DIY | Play Workbench


Creativity is my sanity. It's what keeps me grounded, it's my outlet. And no matter what I am creating with... paper, fabric, wood, I love seeing something come out of nothing. 

Hubby and I love working on any type of project together. It's bonding time. Thanks to my awesome Dad, who had no qualms over taking his daughter out into the garage with him, I have a fair amount of woodworking knowledge. Hubby learned plenty from his dad and grandfather too, so between the two of us, we have happily acquired many tools, and have big plans for them. 

When I told hubs I wanted to make a play kitchen (under progress!) for Jarvis, he jokingly suggested we make a play workbench. What an excellent idea! It's actually absurdly easy! So with a babysitter Valentine's evening, we hit up our local hardware store, Menards and finished the majority of the base in one hour that evening!

Taa-daa!


It is 3ft tall, with the workspace hitting at 1.5ft. Perfect for him right now. If we need to raise it later, we have plans to add risers or wheels to the bottom.


Supplies list:
2x4s: $8.00 (used 3.5 boards)
Nails: $1.00 (lots extra)
Peg board: $2.79 (only used half)
Spray paint: $3.44 (lots left over!)
Large snaps: $3.99
Canvas scraps: $1.00

Total:  $20.22 
(with nearly enough material left over to make another one!)

The peg board accessories are leftover from Daddy's workbench in the garage as is the tool box.
All the tools were one of Target's red 'Christmas Packs' and were on sale for $7.99!



So here's the only 'process' picture I took- partway done! Our only mistake was using 2.5 inch nails instead of 3. They were pulling out too easily with the normal pull of the bench, so we had to use a little wood glue to help stabilize them (that's why you see the clamps below). But now that thing is very very sturdy!
Sorry- taken on my iphone!



It is sanded very, very well with an electric sander, and all nails are finished flush with the wood.

We painted the peg board blue to add a little pop against the orange tools. But left the rest of the wood natural.



I used canvas scraps I had laying around (from some Christmas present dop kits) to create little pouches to hang on the side to store his tools.



We didn't want to attach them by hanging them on extended nails (talk about toddler hazard!!) so I used heavy duty sew-on-snaps for the canvas side, and nailed the other side into the wood. They are easily removable but completely toddler safe.


And a slightly smaller one for the other side.


And of course, a little brand so we have no doubt who it belongs to!



Here's to hoping my little boy will enjoy working out in the garage with his Daddy (and Mommy) and will have a little creative gene of his own!


***Measurements have been posted HERE! ***

**Yesterday, while browsing Ikea, I found that they are now offering a play workbench as well... it's cute, but 4 times as much as our, and I think ours looks more authentic!!**

**I featured this project on Today's Creative Blog... check out all the other projects featured!

Up next... the DIY play kitchen, fit for a boy! Can't wait to get started on it!

Hugs,
C

27 comments:

Sandy Myers said...

Yeah yours looks way better than the IKEA one! I think I may have to show this to Brian and see if he wants to build one.

shawna [of styleberryBLOG] said...

this is UNBELIEVABLE! What a lucky guy! I think caroline might need a pink one........! :) My girl is going to inherit my love of power tools. no doubt!

Chelsea M said...

@Sandy, let me know if he wants to come look at it or wants measurements! And we have peg board we would sell you for cheap, haha!!

@Shawna, you could EASILY make this on your own! A pink one would be adorable!! We used a circular saw to cut the wood and peg, but any kind would work! It's just 2x4 pieces! Let me know if you want the measurements!

Shannon said...

Love it!!! I'm always looking for little boy projects. My son would love this.

Erica {B is for Boy} said...

I love, love, love this! The detail blue paint gives it the perfect pop & I love the removable pockets...awesome!

loved1 said...

oh my! i found this on Made by Rae's blog...LOVE IT!

sweet and lovely crafts said...

OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!! This is all sorts of awesome. I love it. WOW. I can't wait to make something like this for my little one!

Mozi Esme said...

I LOVE it!

Joseph Smith said...

My son would love this. He's a major tool freak, and loves using his drill to make "holes" like Daddy's. Great project!

Melanie said...

This is adorable!! Could I get the measurements?

Melisa S. said...

Over from ohdeedoh.com...this is such a wonderful project and you all did a beautiful job!

Courtney Ingram said...

I AM DYING TO DO THIS OVER THE WEEKEND!! Thank you so much for sharing. Will you please share the measurements??

Distressed beauty said...

Oooh I really want to see if my husband can make this! It'd be perfect for my 3 little boys!

Tania said...

WOuld you mind sharing your measurements? I just bought all the supplies and I'll be making this for our four year old twins boys. They are so excited that mommy is making this for them!

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE the measurements! Im just itching to make this for my son! nicholejhunt@live.ca :)

Justina said...

Oh my!!! This is going to be a great gift for my son's birthday in December.... Do you have the measurements you're able to share?

Busy Beeing Mommy said...

could I please get the measurement for this adorable work bench!
swansen.julie@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I would love to do this for my son for Christmas. Please send the measurements :) tkw97@aol.com

Arlie said...

I too would love the measurements. arliecrabtree at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love the measurements also! designlmb@hotmail.com

Shannon said...

Could I please get the measurements too? Thanks!
sluepke@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Could I please get measurements too!!!! Thanks!
mrs.eaton1@gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Would love to make this for my little guys for Christmas, would you please send the measurements to mttjb5@aol.com

Chelsea M said...

I emailed measurements to those with email addresses, and here is a link to the post with measurements! http://mcbabybump.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-play-workbench-measurements.html

Unknown said...

oh this was the inspiration I needed to get one started for my little guy. It's all ready for Christmas morning...come take a peak if you like
http://craftedbymama.blogspot.com/2011/12/work-bench.html

Anonymous said...

Hi Chelsea! I found this tutorial on Pinterest and was reading down the page when I suddenly realized... "Hey! I went to high school with Chelsea and Jace!" Small world, isn't it?? :) Great tutorial, planning to do this for my 9 m.o. son's 1st birthday. Hope y'all are doing well! Your kids are precious. :)
-Lindsay (Farrell) Zivney

Dr. Kelli said...

This was awesome! My husband and I made this for our 2-year old son and it's better than anything we could have found in a toy store! Thank you so much for posting it. This is going to be an exciting Christmas :)