| Project by Dagless | posted 04-18-2012 12:27 PM | 21993 views | 18 times favorited | 17 comments |  |
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My first project is a shameless rip-off.
I was shopping for children’s bookcases and came across an elephant-shaped one. I felt this presented a good excuse to buy a jigsaw and try my own version. I made a sketch from a reference image of an African elephant and designed it in Adobe Illustrator.
It is made from 18mm plywood and stands about 750mm (h) × 1000mm (w) × 250mm (d). The idea behind the interlocking panels was to add strength, as I expect that it will eventually be climbed on by one of my offspring. Well, that and the fact that it seemed more interesting to design and make it that way. I made sure that the panels interlocked quite tightly and then glued and screwed, so it’s pretty sturdy.
I attached it to the wall by screwing a decking screw into a stud and cutting a kind of keyhole shape (what do you call that?) so that it can be lifted on and off, but cannot be pulled over to squash an infant. If any infants are going to be squashed in my house, I want to make sure that it is not due to my poor workmanship.
I gave it to my daughter for her first birthday. She pulled herself up on it, threw several books on the floor and then crawled off. Which means she thinks it’s fantastic, I assume.
Edit (July 2020):
I’m adding links to PDFs of Elephant Bookcase and Elephant Bookcase Simplified on Dropbox. This is the closest I have to actual plans.
17 comments so far
will delaney
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332 posts in 3606 days
#1 posted 04-18-2012 12:51 PM
Great project!!! You did a nice job with your new jigsaw money well spent. Welcome to LJ.
Todd A. Clippinger
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8901 posts in 5070 days
#2 posted 04-18-2012 01:03 PM
Projects like this are fun because they are so creative. I love it!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://americancraftsmanworkshop.com
RandyM68
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693 posts in 3288 days
#3 posted 04-18-2012 05:59 PM
I would also rather squash infants on purpose, myself. But seriously, I like it. It’s a good idea and you designed it yourself. It actually looks good, too. I’m sure the rugrats will love it. Attaching it to the wall is a good idea, too, I know they’ll climb it.
-- I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you. I'm sorry,thanks.
exelectrician
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2339 posts in 3398 days
#4 posted 04-19-2012 03:02 AM
Your creative juices and your protective instincts are very apparent in this build. She is going to cherish this for years to come.
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
Skiedra
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259 posts in 3262 days
#5 posted 04-19-2012 09:58 AM
Superb shelves !
Muriel
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101 posts in 3663 days
#6 posted 04-21-2012 11:46 AM
COOL !
-- Muriel, Belgium
clieb91
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4158 posts in 4905 days
#7 posted 04-22-2012 02:00 AM
Pretty cool looking bookshelf. Based on her reaction it sound like she indeed does like it.
Welcome to LumberJocks.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."- PortablePastimes.com (Purveyors of Portable Fun and Fidgets)
Roger
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21047 posts in 3775 days
#8 posted 09-17-2012 12:51 AM
A way kool shelf for kids books and maybe a knick-knack or 2. Super nice, and bright.
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Keep your dust collector fed. [email protected]
ohouse
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1 post in 333 days
#9 posted 02-23-2020 09:20 PM
Hi, I love the elephant wall unit. Would you happen to have basic plans or instructions? I’d love to make one. Thank you
Dagless
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12 posts in 3200 days
#10 posted 02-24-2020 12:57 AM
Hi ohouse,
I just sent you a message with a link to a PDF which includes a basic cutlist and progress photos. Please check your inbox.
muratygl
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1 post in 240 days
#11 posted 05-26-2020 06:25 PM
hello. can you send me dxf format. [email protected]
OumaErna
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1 post in 228 days
#12 posted 06-07-2020 04:53 AM
Hi, very interested in your elephant children’s bookcase.Would you please send me the plans/basic instructions in PDF to make this for my granddaughter
Thank you
Dagless
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12 posts in 3200 days
#13 posted 06-07-2020 11:31 PM
Hi OumaErna,
I just sent you a message with a link to two PDFs which include a basic parts diagram and progress photos, as well as a simplified version of the same project. Please check your inbox.
Mgmiranda
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1 post in 191 days
#14 posted 07-14-2020 01:39 PM
Can I jump on this bandwagon too and ask for your plans?
Dark_Lightning
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4317 posts in 4079 days
#15 posted 07-15-2020 12:41 AM
All these new requests. Is this that plan guy Ted scraping for more designs? Check those post counts!
-- Steven.......Random Orbital Nailer
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