Builder Boards, a short history
The third edition of BUILDER BOARDS is finally out and available on Amazon.
BUILDER BOARDS, the Complete Plans (third edition) contains all the details a woodworker needs to construct the full set of parts for this remarkable imagination machine. Wide-eyed children put BUILDER BOARDS to work, using them to erect structures actually large enough to play in.
Builder Boards by Jack McKee was originally published in 1997. The new, 2024 3nd edition, contains information gleaned from 25+ years of building experience combined with stories about using Builder Boards with the children themselves. It includes new gable-end and roof-board designs and covers the use of recycled and leftover materials to construct the boards. There are easy-to-use layout plans, tips on how to use a shaper and a discussion of a CNC to cut notches. Included are new sanding and finishing recommendations.
Color pictures give you a sense of joy children feel while turning their ideas into a structure that stands on its own. And a new chapter on taking the “World’s Largest Set” out to community events is a tour-de-force eye opener.
The first edition of Builder Boards was published in 1997. The changes below are in this 2024 3rd edition:
- New roof design eliminating the hook and loop fastener.
- New gable end design.
- Use of a shaper to cut notches, instead of a router.
- Discussion of CNC to cut notches.
- New color pictures.
- Sanding shortcuts.
- New drawings and easier plywood layout.
- Slightly different board lengths, but same notch spacing.
- Boxes and bungee cords replaced with trays (mostly).
- New low VOC varnish recommendations.
- Split pieces eliminated because they are too easy to break.
- Elimination of the Cedar Playhouse chapter.
- New chapter about taking the world’s largest set out to community events.