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First of several holiday projects completed. I've always wanted to make a set of blocks but when my kids were young I didn't have the tools and then never a reason to as they got older. Well now there's a granddaughter and I thought why not. I worked on these while other projects being worked on were clamped up and gluing or at various stages that would just take too long to work on during the week. Found a nice 4/4 piece of maple about 10 feet long at the lumber yard and another about the same length but only around 5 inches wide. I admit there are a lot of blocks and I went a bit overboard but I was having so much fun figuring out what shapes to make and cutting them up I just made as many as I could from the wood. A couple of passes through the planer smoothed everything up. I made a quickie crosscut sled which really helped when cutting to size. The edges were all chamfered on the router table and all rough ends and edges were smoothed on the belt sander. No finish. I didn'dt want to get into what was and wasn't safe. I also thought about a set I had as a child and don't recall any finish on those. My grandchild will be just over 1 year old this Christmas but the nice thing I like about this set is there are enough small pieces that can be played with now and larger ones to use as she grows. My wife purchased a canvas tote bag from Lands End with her name on it to store them. Let me tell you they weigh a ton. We'll give them to her at Christmas dinner when everyone is together. Guaranteed there will be a group of us playing with these after dinner. We had some friends over for dinner a couple of nights ago whose daughter has twins and commented how much they would like a set. I guess I'll be picking out some more wood soon.

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Very nice job. You have inspired me to do the same thing. Isn't it great to be able to do things for our grand kids.
 

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I am a few years (I hope) away from grandkids but when I get them they are going to have so many wooden toys my daughters are going to have to ask me to stop. Thanks for the idea that I am adding to my list. Nicely done.
 

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Can't beat the old classics.
 

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I so had a set of wood blocks like this when I was young. I am definitely going to follow your lead. I hadn't thought of my blocks in decades. Thank you for the great idea and trip down memory lane.
 

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Blocks are always in style and were one of grandchildren's favorites. Maple is perfect just like the ones the schools use. I bet you've already tested them out already. Very nice job.
 

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Sweet.
That is really a complete set. Well done.

Something about doing projects like this with so much repetitive work. It is kind of Zen like. It looks like you made it to the other side with a smile on your face. Good for you.

Steve
 

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when I seen the photo on the main project page these looked like huge blocks on a wooden floor,the kid in me was dissapointed when I seen they were normal size on a table!!These are awesome kids will love them great work!
 
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