Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 22

Thread: Sandpit digger

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default Sandpit digger

    Many years ago I saw one of these for sale at a market and thought it was a neat idea. A number of years later when our kids were young I thought I would make one for them to use in the sandpit. I had to scratch the head a lot to remember firstly the design, and then some appropriate dimensions. One got made and eventually outlived its welcome as the kids got older, so I passed it on to my niece for her kids.
    I have made a number of these since to give away to charities etc. and always have to stop and think about the dimensions of the previous ones.
    This time I decided that I would draw all the components up so that if I need to make another one, or someone else wants to know the details, I will have them for all time.
    They are easy to make and don't cost very much as they are only made from 70 x 35 and 42 x 19 pine, and a little bit of 12mm ply. A few nuts and bolts and a couple of strips of 13 x 3mm aluminium round it out. The recipients are always excited.
    I have also been having a go at learning to use Sketchup as some people struggle to understand 2D drawings, so Sketchup gives them a better picture of what the finished article will look like. Fair way to go on this journey yet.
    Below is a bit of a WIP from today.

    Digger.jpg Digger_1.jpg Digger_2.jpg Digger_4.jpg Digger_6.jpg Digger_5.jpg Digger_3.jpg Digger_7.jpg Digger_8.jpg Digger_9.jpgDigger_10.jpg
    Dallas

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Torquay
    Posts
    4,421

    Default

    Dallas,

    Looks great. You have been busy today. My grandson would love one of them. I will keep a close eye on your build.

    Regards Keith.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Washington State, USA
    Posts
    455

    Default

    I can see kids really enjoying that. Fact I think I'd enjoy playing on that. Gat dimensions for a bigger on, say, adult size!

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Canterbury UK
    Age
    67
    Posts
    3,994

    Default

    Someone is going to have great fun with that little digger. You have made a great start

    Looks like you have most of the parts already cut and ready for the assembly. I bet the painting or finish will take longer

  6. #5
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,165

    Default One can dig this build....

    Looking good Dallas, There is going to one very happy little person soon digging up the whole sandpit....love it, well done.. Cheers crowie

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Finally the weekend is here and I get a chance to do a bit more.
    Finished drilling the remaining holes and sanding. A quick test assembly to make sure everything fits, cut bolts to correct length, and then dismantle to start painting (the part I least like).
    Some of today's short progress and now the parts are being painted. Could take forever with these cold conditions.

    Digger_11.jpg Digger_12.jpg
    Dallas

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    St. Helens Tasmania
    Posts
    2,227

    Default

    That's a really neat piece of work mate.
    Every sandpit in the country should have one!

    Cheers
    Trev.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Canterbury UK
    Age
    67
    Posts
    3,994

    Default

    I WANT ONE, Great build may just have to make one for the grandchildren. Well that's my excuse for making it anyway

  10. #9
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,165

    Default

    G'Day Dallas, You've sure mastered this mechanical marvel, WELL DONE SIR.....
    The little bloke will be digging his way to china sooner than you think, love it. Cheers crowie

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Torquay
    Posts
    4,421

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Treecycle View Post
    Finally the weekend is here and I get a chance to do a bit more.
    Finished drilling the remaining holes and sanding. A quick test assembly to make sure everything fits, cut bolts to correct length, and then dismantle to start painting (the part I least like).
    Some of today's short progress and now the parts are being painted. Could take forever with these cold conditions.

    Digger_11.jpg Digger_12.jpg
    Hey Dallas,

    It's looking great.


    Keith

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leopold, Victoria
    Age
    65
    Posts
    4,677

    Default

    Finally got the painting done. Only a small job, but slow going during the week. Only get to put one coat on one side each night. Surprising it even dries being so cold at the moment. Tomorrow is assembly time.

    Digger_13.jpg
    Dallas

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Torquay
    Posts
    4,421

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Treecycle View Post
    Finally got the painting done. Only a small job, but slow going during the week. Only get to put one coat on one side each night. Surprising it even dries being so cold at the moment. Tomorrow is assembly time.

    Digger_13.jpg
    Dallas,

    Paint looks good. Good luck with assembly.

    Keith

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Bendigo
    Age
    72
    Posts
    1,986

    Default

    Sorry I go to see this thread a bit late.
    I built several over the years out of steel for kids and grandkids....
    They work a lot better however if you move the pivot for slewing about to where you have the levers fitted - maybe just a tad back toward the seat. That allows the operators' (kids') feet to brace it better, and their weight counterbalances them arm and bucket and sand and thereby reduces the force on the pivot and resulting wear.
    Maybe you can have two pivot points to test and compare, given that you would already have drilled/fitted the one under the seat...
    Cheers,
    Joe
    9"thicknesser/planer, 12" bench saw, 2Hp Dusty, 5/8" Drill press, 10" Makita drop saw, 2Hp Makita outer, the usual power tools and carpentry hand tools...

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld.
    Age
    64
    Posts
    2,792

    Default

    Looks great Dallas, I'm sure the kids will enjoy that!

    Cheers,

  16. #15
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,165

    Default

    G'Day Dallas, The paint work looks great, well done....
    May I suggest that you put a coat or two of clear lacquer over the top of the colour to both seal the paint & give a hard durable surface....
    cheers, crowie

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Build a hidden, suspended sandpit - help
    By chesl73 in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 8th January 2012, 08:19 PM
  2. Sand pit digger
    By colbra in forum TOY MAKING
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 5th December 2011, 08:19 PM
  3. sandpit sand....other uses?
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 5th April 2009, 03:00 AM
  4. sandpit sand....other uses?
    By ubeaut in forum BRICKWORK, CONCRETING, PAVING, RENDERING, etc
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 24th February 2009, 08:10 PM
  5. Old digger
    By munruben in forum WOODIES JOKES
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 28th April 2008, 11:14 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •