Kids have a natural attraction to lights and to things that "close/open". I wanted them to have some kind of toy, where they could find both, so I thought of making them a boat, then fitting it with lights and switches for them to play with.
The easiest boat I chose to build for them was based on the Ro-Ro type. Here are pictures of the steps to make it:
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Step 1- Cutting the sides and bottom of boat |
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Step 2- Preparing the groove for the deck |
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Groove is ready |
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Deck is fitting perfectly |
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Next is to drill the portholes |
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I used a 10mm diameter drill the portholes |
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Stoppers for the rear door |
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Doors, one for the front and one for the back |
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Hinges for the back door |
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Hinges - Using reinforced Plastic. I ended by switching to metallic ones later on |
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Grooves for the hinges. |
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Hinges would be then riveted and glued |
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Back door is ready |
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Stapling the bottom part of the hull |
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Leaving the glue to dry after the stapling work |
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Keeping all in right angles for the next steps |
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Sides of the 1st deck - Same porthole sizes |
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All marked and getting ready for the stapling and gluing |
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A bit of decoration for the sides using wood burner |
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Sides are now ready |
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Moving front door. Metallic hinges could be seen and magnetic stopper to keep it in place |
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Front door ready and holding tight. |
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Preparing the living quarters |
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Two compartments should be more than enough |
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Adding Carpets. Underneath this deck are lights. I have put a switch at the back as seen here |
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The Bridge. Carpets have been fitted. Battery to operate the lights underneath |
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Bridge is ready |
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Top cover - This is what took most time, due to the rotating search light fitting |
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Exploded view of the multideck boat |
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Cosy and comfy |
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Boat Garage. |
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The boys getting ready to let their passengers get on board |
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Front door opens, the boat has a large garage bay |
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Blue lights for the bridge |
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Back lights all functionning |
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Front view |
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Rear view |
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Close view of the deck |
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Time to get the boat inspected |
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Boat certified all dox are ready |
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Powerful search light, can rotate and kids really love it. |
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Boat- general view at night. All lights on |
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General view of the boat during day light. Next would be painting and adding some additional items |
Kids seem happy with it for the moment, stuffing many of their cars in the garage, opening and close the doors, and switching on and off all the lights.