View Full Version : Made with the Shopsmith
tom_k/mo
05-09-2009, 12:16 PM
Thanks for looking and commenting, guys.
The little guy, Sam, is 4 and his sister, Ella, is 2. She likes it as much as he does. She just doesn't quite have the lever movements figured out yet. Sam figured it out in about a minute.
They're all headed for Kadena AFB on Okinawa in a few weeks. Guess I'll disassemble it and ship it when they get settled. Probably have to clean out all the diesel and drain the crank case, first.
Gene, my Sister and Brother-in-Law were stationed there for a couple years. My youngest nephew was born there. If you get the opportunity to visit, you should go.
a1gutterman
05-09-2009, 01:16 PM
Hi gene,
Great looking shovel you made! Where did you get the plastic shovel for it?
Gene Howe
05-09-2009, 01:23 PM
Tom, They'll be there for 4, maybe 5 years. We're planning on visiting in 2 years.
Tim, The shovel is a feed scoop from the feed store. I just cut the handle off.
The plans from Cherry Tree Toys provided a cut pattern for a metal one.
Great Job!
As others have mentioned, it will be treasured for years to come. If they weren't moving, your next job would be a bigger sand box.:D
John
rolands
05-10-2009, 09:29 AM
Very nice. They have one down at the park here and there are always kids using it. Lots of hours of fun. :)
guitarnut
05-10-2009, 06:33 PM
Made this for the grand kids.
Gene, this is very cool! Making it for your grandkids makes it even more special. Better check the height of that backrest though, may not be OSHA spec. :)
Peace,
Gene Howe
05-10-2009, 08:19 PM
Gene, this is very cool! Making it for your grandkids makes it even more special. Better check the height of that backrest though, may not be OSHA spec. :)
Peace,
I thought of that, too. Them design guys always colluding with marketing and never give a thought to the hassles they cause us guys that build.:D
Nicholas
08-01-2009, 10:49 PM
After seeing the back hoe picture you posted last month I decided to try and built one as a Christmas present for our first grandson. He will be a year old September 24th so I figured I have a few extra months. Like most projects I've built over the years, someone seems to come along and would also like one also so I decided to just go ahead and built four at the same time. One for the first grandson as I earlier stated and one for my own son by a previous marriage who isn't even married yet. I'm using walnut, hard maple, red oak, purple heart and yellow pine. I modified the wheels to be 1 1/2" wide by 3" in diameter. Thru Cherry Tree Toys I purchased the plans and one full kit so for the other three, I just put my own kits together (and so much cheaper I must say). Everything is done so far on all four sets up to building the booms and operating handles which will be probably next week. Again, thank you for the inspiration. One think I need to mention...guess I didn't realize how labor intensive this was going to be building four complete units...:rolleyes: