Treehouses and Other Cool Stuff EBLAD

4.5” Rear Flap
8.5 ” Rear Flap
11.5mm
Spine
houses in the East Hampton area, is also an illustrator
specializing in how-to books. David has worked as an
architectural renderer for most of the leading architectural
firms in New York City and has received two awards from
the NYC Planning Commission for his playground design for
handicapped children.
Jeanie Stiles is an actress/model who has appeared in
numerous television commercials and print ads. With a
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Wheaton College
in Massachusetts, Jeanie has also taught ESL and English
at Baruch College in New York City.
David and Jeanie have been writing how-to books together
for the past fifteen years. Most recently, the couple built a
treehouse on The Today Show in Rockefeller Center in New
DAVID & JEANIE STILES
York. They divide their time between New York City and East
Hampton, where they live in a barn they renovated together.
H o m e R e f e r e n c e / H o w -To
www.gibbs-smith.com
to enrich and inspire humankind
4.5” Rear Flap
$19.95 U.S.
TREEHOUSES
and Other
COOL STUFF
50 Projects
You Can Build
Treehouses and Other Cool Stuff provides instructions and
plans for fun projects that parents and kids can build together.
TREEHOUSES
and Other
COOL STUFF
50 Projects You Can Build
Many of them can be built in one afternoon using discarded
materials found around the house; some may take longer to
construct. All the projects are designed to encourage kids to
be creative while having fun. From a Swinging Treehouse,
Monster House and Jet Racer to a Box Sled, Treasure Chest
and Exploding Cannon, you can build a variety of projects that
create lasting memories with your children.
“With its joyful drawings and crystal-clear instructions,
David & Jeanie Stiles
Treehouses and Other Cool Stuff delivers a wealth of
imaginative, iconic outdoor projects guaranteed to tempt and
thrill the adventurous child of all ages.”
—Don Metz, architect and author of
Confessions of a Country Architect
11” Height
A-Frame Treehouse
Tarzan Swing
Lemonade Stand
Exploding Cannon
Downhill Racer
Trolley Ride
Fake Barbells
Pogo Boat
Playhouse Bed
Ski Sled
Monster Treehouse
Secret Lock Box
Alka Rocket
Ad Hoc Tree Fort
Treasure Chest
and more!
TREEHOUSES and other COOL STUFF 50 Projects You Can Build
PROJECTS
INCLUDE:
David Stiles, a designer/builder who has built several
8.5” Front Flap
Contents
Acknowledgments
About This Book
9
10
Carpentry Basics
Kids, Build This First Sawhorse
Toolbox
How to Make a Saw Guide
How to Crosscut a Board
Carpentry Tips
13
14
15
16
17
18
Huts, Treehouses & Playhouses
Tree Fort
A-frame Treehouse
Nature Hut
Swinging Treehouse
Monster House
Dragon Treehouse
Ad Hoc Tree Fort
Delta Wing Space Vehicle
Jet Racer
Kung Fu Hut
19
20
27
34
36
40
43
45
47
50
52
Things That Move
Downhill Racer
Ski Sled
Box Sled
Seesaw
Trolley Ride
Circle Swing
Merry-Go-Round
Model Sailboat
Recycled Raft
Pogo Boat
55
56
61
63
64
66
69
70
72
76
78
Treehouse Accessories
Treasure Chest
Winch
Locks and Latches
Secret Lock Box
Birdhouse
Ring Swing Game
Tarzan Swing
Snölykta (Snow Light)
89
90
92
93
95
96
97
98
99
Stuff to Do in Your Treehouse
Washtub Fiddle
Tom-Tom
Crow Call
Noisemaker
Wood Music
101
102
104
106
107
108
Weekend Projects
Lemonade Stand
Playhouse Bed
Fake Barbells
Exploding Cannon
Alka Rocket
Totem Pole
Cool Bike
Sweet Tooth Tiger
The Ugliest, Best, Cheapest
Desk Lamp in the World
Bat Signal
Cootie Catcher
Wheel of Fortune
109
110
114
115
116
121
124
125
127
Resources
129
131
132
134
135
Detailed
materials list
Tree Fort
Tree Fort
Tree Fort
Materials List
Note: All dimensions are approximate and should be adjusted for each builder’s
specific situation.
Qty.
Description
Platform
(2)
2x6 #2 D. fir*
(4)
2x8 #2 D. fir
2x6
(7)
(2)
4x4 #2 cedar or ACQ
4x4
(1)
(2)
AC plywood
(9)
5/4 x 6
Hammer symbols
divide projects into
levels of difficulty
Length
Location
10'
10'
10'
15'
12'
4'x4'
#2 cedar
V-knee brace
floor frame
floor joists
posts
knee brace and rail posts
interior floor
decking
10'
16'
stringers
treads
*D. Fir = Douglas fir
Stairs
(2)
2x6 clear cedar
2x6 clear cedar
(1)
House
(1)
(4)
(7)
(3)
(6)
(2)
(4)
(4)
(6)
(2)
4x4 #2 cedar
10'
2x4 #2 cedar
8'
2x4 #2 cedar
10'
2x4 #2 cedar
10'
2x4 #2 cedar
8'
2x6 #2 cedar
8'
2x4 #2 cedar
8'
4'x8'
3/8" Lauan ply.
10'
5/4 x 4 # 2 cedar
18" bundles Perfection shingles
#1 cedar shingles
rear corner posts
sill plates
rear and side wall studs
front wall studs
top plates
front header
cats
wall sheathing
corners and door trim
walls
Comprehensive plans
and illustrations
Tree Fort
Tree Fort
Find a tree that is at least 10 inches in diameter and attach a 2x6 x 9 1/2-foot-long
beam to it using a 5/8 x 5-inch lag screw. Support the beam by attaching two 2x6 x
5-foot braces to form a “V.”
Drop a plumb bob from both beam-ends to the ground and measure two 7-foot-long
parallel lines, marking where the 2 posts will go. Check the diagonal measurements to
make sure they are equal. Dig two 12-inch-wide holes, 36 inches deep, and place two
4x4 cedar or pressure-treated posts loosely in the holes. Do not backfill the holes
until the floor is framed.
Build the floor frame out of 2x6s and attach it to the posts using 1/2-inch x 6-inch
galvanized bolts.
If you have only one tree, this design is a good choice. Two posts and knee braces
provide the additional support necessary. Wise grandparents built this sturdy
treehouse for their grandkids to gather in each summer, where they can camp out
surrounded by branches, birds and a view of the lake. The windows have screens
and there’s room for several sleeping bags inside.
Before backfilling the holes, make sure that the posts are plumb. For rigidity, add
two 4x4 x 5-foot-long knee braces, as shown.
Tree Fort
2
3
Above: Treasure Chest
Below: Downhill Racer
This downhill racer is like a soapbox derby racer but much less expensive and easier
to make. You can use wheels taken from an old baby carriage or stroller, or you
can buy wheels for under $5 apiece (see Resources). The steering mechanism is
made using inexpensive 1/2-inch (inside diameter) steel pipe fittings found in
most hardware stores. The brakes are operated by a hinged brake pedal, which
pulls a 1x4 brake board against the back wheels by means of light cable made
from picture-hanging wire.
5
Downhill Racer
The seat rest and
back support can be
repositioned to suit the
size of the driver by
unscrewing five screws.
6
7
Fake Barbells
This swing should take only a few hours to build. It is made by cutting two 4-footdiameter circles from a single sheet of 3/4-inch-thick plywood, glued and screwed
together. Use 3/4-inch-diameter braided rope to secure it to a high, overhanging
tree branch. The seat should be 12 to 16 inches off the ground (depending on the
size of the kids using it). To cover the edge of the plywood, use an old hose, cut
lengthwise and nailed to the edge.
8