Mike,
I've followed along with the DeWalt Top 17 Carpenter Contest; I've reviewed each project entry, and read the blogs. I am, to say the least, perplexed at the current results of the voting process.
I've read your tool comparison reviews you've posted and other critiques of yours.
As a man that represent himself as knowledgeable enough to share his opinion, and open minded enough to comparing apples to apples, I'm sure you and you followers can respect my review of your "Play kitchen Project".
First and foremost your design and execution of this "Play kitchen" Project is riddle with Design flaws, Hazardous, Unsafe and potentially life threatening defects and an almost total disregard for safety.
I will briefly outline the major Red Flags and ask that you and your followers simply reflect on the reality Your project does not compare to those of the ?professionals that think they have this contest in the bag.
Unsafe design: The sharp and pointed edges & corners on every door, drawer, face frame and box edge should have been softened with a rounded over edge. It's apparent in the video, that a 22 month old child is unstable on their feet and prone to tripping and falling into any of the sharp edges you left on this "play set".
Hazardous and potentially fatal design flaw:
There was no consideration taken with the respect of any "Anti-Tipping" features included in the design.
Children have a natural curiosity nd need to climb in, on, over and through nearly everything. With the door to the refrigerator open and the lower drawer extended it shifts the center of gravity to a fulcrum point focused on the two front adjustable feet.
It would take very little downward force, such as a child merely sitting, standing or climbing on the drawer to create an off balance forward tipping motion. I'm sure this will be met with the argument that, (Hopefully) it doesn't happen. Had you actually thought of this in the original design, you most certainly would have disclosed it in your blog, don't try now, you know it was never considered in the design.
Pinch points, Finger traps and Clothing Catches:
The selfclosing euro hinges you used have a spring loaded snap point that, although not very dangerous, presents an unpleasant experience when a small hand is slapped by the door.
The use of industrially hardware racks, shelves and glides create a variety of "Pinch points", "Finger Traps" and "Clothing Catches".
Needless to say, no consideration was taken in the design or application of any moving part with respect to a child's little fingers being pinched, smashed or worse.
The pair of hinged glass doors on the range is a great potential for injury.
Again this is where Rounded / softened edges would assist in limiting a child?s fingers from being caught between and cut. The gap between the doors is not wide enough to prevent a "vise like" finger trap when caught between them. Nor have I seen an oven with French doors, details man.
I find the use of real burners, drip pans and range knobs a very poor detail on many levels. First and foremost is this is a "pretend" set. The incorporation of actual appliance parts, lends itself to the lack of imagination and ingenuity of the designer/builder to keep this project in the true spirit of its intention, a "child play set". Simple round disks of wood with a routed spiral would have added a more creative, Fun detail.
The same goes for the range control knobs; these could be just as easily created in the same fashion, a small disk, a rounded, flat piece of wood and a dowel rod. The fact that the bolted on knobs don't even turn is simply boring to a child in their development stages. This leads to the use of what appears to be a rather expensive faucet. Again, no attempt taken to fabricate a fun, pretend fixture from bits of wood and dowels rod.
A look at the picture of the sink with the open doors, I see under the sink what appears to be the plumbing connections poking through the underneath side. Why? They serve no purpose other than to create yet another potential hazard, or at the very least, a snag point for loose clothing, I hope you took the time capped the open ends so little fingers don?t find a way to get stuck inside the pipes. Of course you did.
This "play set" is wired live with electricity? With the total disregard of the previous mentioned hazards, I'd hope you would at the very least employed feature with respect to minimize the potential electric shock factor.
A Flashlight bulb and a battery would be a safer alternative. Incorporating a red lens would create that imaginary "Heat" effect this project so desperately lacks. And what fun it is for a child to turn on & off the Heat with a switch.
The "Play set" does not have a finish on it. young children love bright, bold, vibrant colors. It stimulates there developing brains to "play Pretend and make believe games". Where you have failed to create a well thought out design is clearly trumped by the fact that you forgot who this project was for,
A child.
That explains why a "hobbyist is trying to show up the professional Carpenter", your creditability is greatly flawed by what you desperately lack in moral fiber. The deficit of talent you display in your "hobby" has changed the DeWalt Top Carpenter contest into a farce, with you as the leader. I feel sorry those professionals whom you disgrace, But more so for DeWalt if they have to present your "Play kitchen" as the BEST that can be made with their tools. It?s Cute, Real Cute!
When DeWalt has their "Top 17 Popular Hobbyist contest", you have my vote.
But that's just my opinion, and I'm sure you, of all people, will agree that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
Thanks mike
I've followed along with the DeWalt Top 17 Carpenter Contest; I've reviewed each project entry, and read the blogs. I am, to say the least, perplexed at the current results of the voting process.
I've read your tool comparison reviews you've posted and other critiques of yours.
As a man that represent himself as knowledgeable enough to share his opinion, and open minded enough to comparing apples to apples, I'm sure you and you followers can respect my review of your "Play kitchen Project".
First and foremost your design and execution of this "Play kitchen" Project is riddle with Design flaws, Hazardous, Unsafe and potentially life threatening defects and an almost total disregard for safety.
I will briefly outline the major Red Flags and ask that you and your followers simply reflect on the reality Your project does not compare to those of the ?professionals that think they have this contest in the bag.
Unsafe design: The sharp and pointed edges & corners on every door, drawer, face frame and box edge should have been softened with a rounded over edge. It's apparent in the video, that a 22 month old child is unstable on their feet and prone to tripping and falling into any of the sharp edges you left on this "play set".
Hazardous and potentially fatal design flaw:
There was no consideration taken with the respect of any "Anti-Tipping" features included in the design.
Children have a natural curiosity nd need to climb in, on, over and through nearly everything. With the door to the refrigerator open and the lower drawer extended it shifts the center of gravity to a fulcrum point focused on the two front adjustable feet.
It would take very little downward force, such as a child merely sitting, standing or climbing on the drawer to create an off balance forward tipping motion. I'm sure this will be met with the argument that, (Hopefully) it doesn't happen. Had you actually thought of this in the original design, you most certainly would have disclosed it in your blog, don't try now, you know it was never considered in the design.
Pinch points, Finger traps and Clothing Catches:
The selfclosing euro hinges you used have a spring loaded snap point that, although not very dangerous, presents an unpleasant experience when a small hand is slapped by the door.
The use of industrially hardware racks, shelves and glides create a variety of "Pinch points", "Finger Traps" and "Clothing Catches".
Needless to say, no consideration was taken in the design or application of any moving part with respect to a child's little fingers being pinched, smashed or worse.
The pair of hinged glass doors on the range is a great potential for injury.
Again this is where Rounded / softened edges would assist in limiting a child?s fingers from being caught between and cut. The gap between the doors is not wide enough to prevent a "vise like" finger trap when caught between them. Nor have I seen an oven with French doors, details man.
I find the use of real burners, drip pans and range knobs a very poor detail on many levels. First and foremost is this is a "pretend" set. The incorporation of actual appliance parts, lends itself to the lack of imagination and ingenuity of the designer/builder to keep this project in the true spirit of its intention, a "child play set". Simple round disks of wood with a routed spiral would have added a more creative, Fun detail.
The same goes for the range control knobs; these could be just as easily created in the same fashion, a small disk, a rounded, flat piece of wood and a dowel rod. The fact that the bolted on knobs don't even turn is simply boring to a child in their development stages. This leads to the use of what appears to be a rather expensive faucet. Again, no attempt taken to fabricate a fun, pretend fixture from bits of wood and dowels rod.
A look at the picture of the sink with the open doors, I see under the sink what appears to be the plumbing connections poking through the underneath side. Why? They serve no purpose other than to create yet another potential hazard, or at the very least, a snag point for loose clothing, I hope you took the time capped the open ends so little fingers don?t find a way to get stuck inside the pipes. Of course you did.
This "play set" is wired live with electricity? With the total disregard of the previous mentioned hazards, I'd hope you would at the very least employed feature with respect to minimize the potential electric shock factor.
A Flashlight bulb and a battery would be a safer alternative. Incorporating a red lens would create that imaginary "Heat" effect this project so desperately lacks. And what fun it is for a child to turn on & off the Heat with a switch.
The "Play set" does not have a finish on it. young children love bright, bold, vibrant colors. It stimulates there developing brains to "play Pretend and make believe games". Where you have failed to create a well thought out design is clearly trumped by the fact that you forgot who this project was for,
A child.
That explains why a "hobbyist is trying to show up the professional Carpenter", your creditability is greatly flawed by what you desperately lack in moral fiber. The deficit of talent you display in your "hobby" has changed the DeWalt Top Carpenter contest into a farce, with you as the leader. I feel sorry those professionals whom you disgrace, But more so for DeWalt if they have to present your "Play kitchen" as the BEST that can be made with their tools. It?s Cute, Real Cute!
When DeWalt has their "Top 17 Popular Hobbyist contest", you have my vote.
But that's just my opinion, and I'm sure you, of all people, will agree that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
Thanks mike
---- welcome to the forum by the way ---
