I have spent almost no time in the shop recently but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been working with wood. I just finished this large outdoor structure – a kids fort which could double as a 2 story deck. I know this isn’t furniture related, but skills learned in the shop definitely made this project easier!
I guess I’m posting this in case anyone reading is considering building one and is looking for ideas.
Here is the extent of the “joinery”. The posts are 4×6’s which are connected in one direction with 2×8’s bolted with 1/2 diameter nuts and bolts. On top of those are 2×6’s spaced about 13in apart, and then decking planks on top. Let’s just say that it can hold as many people as will fit in it. I’m a little over the top with sturdy structures. The bottom floor is 8ftx10ft. The front is flush with the “berm” and the back side is about 6ft off the ground.
I cut a small door in our fence in the backyard. The fort is completely behind the fence, but still on our lot. Our lot backs up to a train track and has a view of the horse pasture on the other side. It really is a pretty nice view.
There is a simple ladder that goes to the second floor, which is about 6 feet in the air in the front, and 12 ft in the air in the back (because of the berm).
I think the fence pickets around the top help it blend in to the environment and make it feel more like a fort. This was a lot of work, but the kids love it! Maybe now I can get more shop time.
Bob Jones
