Since this is the Thanksgiving season, I will start this post as such. I am thankful that I learned woodworking from my father and grandfather, both of whom still have all of their fingers! This is the sure sign of a good teacher.
This Saturday I will be building a train table for a 2 year old boy for Christmas. His mom asked me to build it, and she will paint it to suit her needs. As most of my projects take on a life of their own, my goal for this one will be challenging. Keep it simple, but make it look good!
Sadly, mass produced kid's furniture generally lacks the quality that I would like to see. The fundamental reason for this issue is cost. Manufactures cannot build these items at a cost consumers are willing to pay and still make a profit without the quality being effected. Most of these items you have to assemble yourself with an instruction manual that is written in such a way that a MIT grad would have a hard time with it. The parts lists is made up of veneered press board, screws with plastic head covers, and a cardboard "wood grain" backing.
Kids will be kids, and nobody wants their 2 year old to color on their handmade Amish coffee table. However, wouldn't it be nice to have somethings made well enough to last beyond the life of a set of truck tires?
So, in the words of a true Carpenter; "Come on people now smile on your brother everybody get together love one another right now." OK, so that did not relate at all, but it is the only Carpenter's song I know!
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. ---e. e. cummings
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