Toy Box Lid Supports

[Andrew Pitonyak]

My 9 year old daughter asked me to make a toy box for her. She said that she wants a big one. I have no experience with large lids child safe lids.

Any thoughts on types or where to get them.

I have a wood craft handy and I can mail order. Will need to determine size first so that I order a sufficient part.

I don't know if I will use an existing plan, adapt a plan, or just design my own. I will work with my daughter on that. Will have fun choosing wood with her. A preliminary look at wood and she seems to want either African Mahogany or Cherry. In other words, she wants something that looks nice. I should show her some of the cool veneers that I could use :D (I have never done veneers).

[Bill Huber]

You know there is not much difference in a toy box and a blanket chest. I hate to be the one to tell you but she will be 25 years old before you know it and then want a blanket chest.

I have used the hinges from Rockler and they do work well. http://www.rockler.com/lid-stay-torsion-hinge-lid-support-satin-nickel
There is a video on that page about them.

[Greg Cuetara]

Andrew one thing to consider is to not put a top on it at all right now. I have made a few toy chests and didn't put a top on them. Great place to put all the toys etc. and not worry about a top in the way going through everything.

[cody michael]

I want to make a steamer trunk, my wife calls it a toy chest. I have the plans in pdf, it doesn;t seem to hard but will involve alot of new things for me

http://www.rockler.com/steamer-trunk-plan

[Andrew Pitonyak]

Andrew one thing to consider is to not put a top on it at all right now. I have made a few toy chests and didn't put a top on them. Great place to put all the toys etc. and not worry about a top in the way going through everything.
I am with you on not adding a top, but, my daughter was very clear that it needed to be strong enough that she can sit on it, so, that is a design goal.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I really like these. Only concern with them is that they stick out the back and they may puncture the wall behind if not careful. Look like a good option.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

That looks like it could be a fun project. What part of the construction has you the most concerned? Is it the curves on the top?

[cody michael]

none in particular, I have not did any thing like this, the raised panel, tenon style jointery on corners etc, that is part of why I am looking forward to it, its something that will make me learn.


That looks like it could be a fun project. What part of the construction has you the most concerned? Is it the curves on the top?

[Lee Schierer]

I made a desk for my Granddaughter that had a lift lid. 300196

I used the Rockler Toy Box Lid Supports (http://www.rockler.com/toy-box-lid-supports-right-mount) They did an excellent job holding the lid up.

[Fred Heenie]

+1 for the hinges that Lee Schierer has linked. They are safe and they work.
Toy chest or blanket chest in the purview of a child is an accident looking for a place to happen. I Don't use hinges that will slam down or cut fingers!

[michael nicholson]

Agree with Lee and Fred. I've used these for box tops up to 36" X 18" they work great. Get them where you can buy by weight of the top. Rockler site has the formula. Big Box stores also sell these, stay away, they are only one size and don't give the weight specs.

[John Donhowe]

I highly recommend a variation of the lid support, also available at Rockler: http://www.rockler.com/soft-down-lid-support

I put one on a toy chest I made for my 2 yo grandson, and it works great. The lid stays fully opened, but it self closes with just a nudge, with a slow, almost hydraulic motion- no pinched fingers! Well worth the few extra $'s

[Jim Rimmer]

You know there is not much difference in a toy box and a blanket chest. I hate to be the one to tell you but she will be 25 years old before you know it and then want a blanket chest.

I have used the hinges from Rockler and they do work well. http://www.rockler.com/lid-stay-torsion-hinge-lid-support-satin-nickel
There is a video on that page about them.

+1 on these. I used them on a blanket chest.

[Roy Harding]

I use the lid stays from Lee Valley - they look about the same as the ones that Lee Shierer posted, but much cheaper.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=40648&cat=3,41427,41390