Australian Handyman - July 2018

400mm

U-SHAPE

INDENT

CLAMP

CIRCULAR

SAW

STRAIGHTEDGE

SIDE

SIDE

TABLETOP

SIDE

SEAT

BACK

SEAT

FOOTREST

BASE

BASE

SUPPORT

TABLETOP

DOWEL

HOLE

400mm

250mm

SHORT

EDGE

LONG

EDGE

TABLETOP

SEAT

BACK

SIDE

OFFCUT

CLAMP

SIDE

PAINT

O^1 MEASURE and mark the pieces

on the ply wood. Clamp an ofcut to the

ply wood as a straightedge, then cut the

pieces with a circular saw. On one side

piece, mark the outline for the U-shape

indent, 250mm in from each short edge

and 400mm in from the long edge. Drill

holes at each corner of the outline to

make cutting easier. Clamp an ofcut to

the ply wood as a straightedge, then cut

out the U-shape with a jigsaw. Smooth

the cut edges with sandpaper.

O^2 LAY the side with no indent face

down. Position the tabletop lush with

a short edge, the seat back lush with the

long edge, the seat 250mm down from

the short edge, the base support lush

with the long edge, the footrest 400mm

down from the short edge and the base

lush with the opposite short edge

(see picture, top right). Use the dowel kit

bit to predrill holes in the pieces. Align

each corresponding piece and predrill

at each end to match.

O^3 INSERT the dowels. Apply

adhesive along the edges and predrilled

holes, clamp in position at 90° using

ofcuts. Continue to apply adhesive and

clamp until all pieces are secured. Place

the side with indent in position with

dowels and secure with adhesive. Cut

the 25mm dowel to 245mm long and

attach using adhesive to the underside

of the tabletop and front of the seat.

Paint the sides – or the whole piece – in

the colour of your choice. ❖

●^1 ●^2 ●^3

To turn the highchair into a desk, simply

ñLSWKHFKDLUVRWKHSDLQWHGVLGHZLWKRXWWKH

U-shape indent becomes the desktop.

68 JULY 2018 Australian Handyman