6 | Building a kids sandbox bench for my son to play in backyard | Polidact Woodworking
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A friend saw my first sandbox (Project #151) and asked me to build one for his kids. This was a chance to improve on the design.
- Version 1 Issue: The backrest was a little too vertical. It wasn't comfortable for adults.
- Version 2 Goal: Adjust the hinge physics to create a 15-degree recline.
The Geometry of Comfort
The folding bench works on a specific pivot point. By moving the hinge point on the "Seat" board forward by 1 inch, I changed the angle of the "Backrest" board when it unfolds.
Result: A comfortable lean-back angle.
Material Upgrade
I used 5/4" Cedar Decking instead of 1x6 boards.
- Thickness: The thicker rounded-edge decking (1 inch actual thickness) is much stronger and pre-sanded (smooth for kids).
Assembly Speed
Since I knew the plan, I batched this out. I cut all the slats at once. I pre-drilled all the pilot holes. I finished the build in 4 hours.
Conclusion
Iterating on a design is part of the maker journey. The first one was good. This one is perfect. The kids don't care about the backrest angle, but the parents drinking wine on the bench definitely do.