Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Making a Sensory Table

From http://childcareandbeyond.tripod.com/sensorytable.html


Materials Needed:
1 1/4” PVC Pipes (purchase 3 X 5’ length pipes) (10’ pipes are cheaper but the 5’ fit in your car better.)
3/4” PVC Pipe (purchase 2 - 5’ length pipes)
1 1/4” PVC Joints: 4 - 90 degree Elbows, 4 Tees, 4 Caps
4 1” sheet metal screws
Hand Drill
Table Saw or Miter Box Saw (I just used a hack saw)
1” Hole Saw (goes on your drill)
80 Grit Sandpaper
Lacquer Thinner
11 Gallon Plastic Container with Cover
Rubber Hammer (to tap it all together)
Directions:
1. Cut the PVC pipe to lengths indicated below.
1 1/4” pipes: cut 2 - 5’ pipes into 21 1/2”, 14 1/2”, 14” and 6”
cut 1 - 5’ pipe into 14”, 14”, 6” and 6”<>

2. 2. Drill a 1” hole 5” from each end of the 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipes. (Drill through only one side.)

3. Drill a 1” hole 3" from each end of the 6” x 1 1/4” pipes. (Drill through only one side.)
(Center of the hole should 3" from each end)
4. Sand any rough edges. Use lacquer thinner to clean the piping.

5. Put the elbows on the ends of the 14 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipes.

6. Lay pipes flat on the table.

7. Insert the 6” x 1 1/4” pipes into the elbows.

8. Position the holes upward.

9. Insert the tees on the end of the 6” x 1 1/4” pipes. (The unit should lay flat on the table with the
tee pointing up.)

10. Set one unit aside.

11. Insert the 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipe into one tee. (The holes drilled in the pipe must face inward.)

12. Set the 17 3/8” x 3/4” pipes into the 1” holes drilled in the 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipe. (It may be
necessary to sand the inside of the hole to get the 3/4” pipe to fit.)

13. Insert the other 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipe onto the 2 - 17 3/8” x 3/4” pipes.

14. Insert the 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipe into the open tee.

15. Insert the 24 1/8” x 3/4” pipes into the holes on the 6’ x 1 1/4” pipes

16. Take the pipe unit that was set aside and insert the tees and holes onto the unit on the table.

17. Turn the piping upside down, resting on the elbows.

18. Screw the 17 3/8 x 3/4” pipe to the 21 1/2” x 1 1/4” pipe at the joint. This will add stability.
(I haven’t done this on mine yet and it is still very stable.)

19. Insert the 14” x 1 1/4” pipes into the tees making the legs of the table.

20. Put the caps on the ends of the 14” x 1 1/4” pipes.

21. Turn over and insert the plastic container.

OR

If you don't need to go fancy you can just use a storage bin!


From http://childcareandbeyond.tripod.com/sensorytable.html

2 comments:

Michelle said...

Great idea! I've been searching for something like this for a looong time. Are there some directions missing??

Super Fun Mama said...

This was when I had just started my blog pretty much and was just using it as a way to organize different files and info I had. I didn't have credit for it as I should have. I had forgotten all about this. Credit is due to http://childcareandbeyond.tripod.com/sensorytable.html