Learning Tower

[LCHIEN]

Some pictures of it in use with my grandson.

[billwmeyer]

Very nice!

[capncarl]

I would like to see some method of “attaching” the stool to the cabinet to prevent jr from moving it to a more convenient place on the counter or stove when mom is not around. I envision this attachment method to be a toggle clamp near the bottom of each front leg that grabs the top on the cabinet toe kick, lifts up and wedges the stool in place. I’ve seen my kids and grandkids get creative with their exploring by moving chairs around to access counter tops. This stool would be the climbing tool of their choice if it was easily movable. I could also see the sides of the learning tower becoming a ladder for a child and would tip over when they tried to climb up it if it was not attached. At this period of a child’s development there is still a lot of monkey still in their system and they will climb on anything.

[leehljp]

The stool is made so that the top step (with the handle hole) is held by two bolts into threaded inserts in the bottom of the top. They are countersunk into the centers of the front and back horizontal members.

So if your remove the top step and drill four holes in the corners, you can attach the four 2x2 (actual 1.5" square) corner columns with Number 9 x 2-1/2" flat head countersunk screws.

After attaching the tower to the top, then you install the top to the bottom part of the stool.

I was wondering about the order of connecting the top portion to the stool. Thanks for the explanation. Great idea and work - and well worth seeing again.

[LCHIEN]

Thanks for the comment!

[LCHIEN]

BTW, I just realized the Ikea Bekvam stool has gone from $15 to $20 now. I think its also available in two other different colors/finishes. THis one was called Beech.

When you see a young toddler straining to see what mom is doing in that alien forbidden land up there on the kitchen counter, you realize what a great idea this is.
He can see everything, but he is relatively safe, standing on an ordinary stool he can fall off easily. I've seen moms holding the child in one arm and trying to cook with the other - that's dangerous for several reasons. With the railing he can't lean too far so you can put some play cooking utensils and sacrificial food items in his reach and keep the real stuff at arms length.

[LCHIEN]

Nice work, Loring. I clicked on the link. Your grandson is cute!

How is the tower part secured to the stool below?

The stool is made so that the top step (with the handle hole) is held by two bolts into threaded inserts in the bottom of the top. They are countersunk into the centers of the front and back horizontal members.

So if your remove the top step and drill four holes in the corners, you can attach the four 2x2 (actual 1.5" square) corner columns with Number 9 x 2-1/2" flat head countersunk screws.

After attaching the tower to the top step, then you install the top step to the bottom part of the stool.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Very nice Loring, I like the color contrast in the wood selected.

[atgcpaul]

Nice work, Loring. I clicked on the link. Your grandson is cute!

How is the tower part secured to the stool below?

[LCHIEN]

OK, Grandson no. 3 needed one of these. They're great because the kids can safely see what mom is doing way up there, and even participate you can limit his reach, and mom can keep an eye on them. They love it!
Grandson #2 is almost 4 but doesn't want to give his up.

https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/discussions/finished-projects/61318-learning-tower

So I made another one.