This problem has proven very popular in toy-making classes and has been one of the best sellers at toy sales. It folds up compactly and is strong and serviceable.

Plates 22, 23 and 24 show the ironing board in three sizes for children of varying ages.

Plate 22 is for children of about three years of age, and the material is prepared as follows:

The top is first made of 1/2" lumber and is 6" wide and 20" long. Set the dividers with a 3" radius and strike an arc just touching the end and two sides of the board. Do the same on the other end, using a 2-1/2" radius.

Connect these arcs with straight lines and saw and plane carefully just to the lines all around. The turning saw may be used on the ends.

Slightly round the upper edge of the surface which is to be uppermost.

The legs are next cut to size, the two longer ones being 1/2" × 1" × 19" and the two shorter ones 1/2" × 1" × 18-3/4".

One end of each is rounded by striking an arc with a 1-1/2" radius, at the extreme end. The other ends of the legs are cut off at an angle, as shown in the drawing.

Holes are bored in the rounded ends of the long legs, 1/2" from the ends with a No. 3 bit. Another hole of similar size is bored 8-1/4" from the one previously bored. These holes are all 1/2" from the edges.

On the short legs the only holes necessary are bored 8-1/4" from the rounded end.

The long legs are attached by screws to a cleat which itself is screwed to the underside of the top of the board, as shown. This cleat is 7/8" × 1-1/8" × 4-1/2" and is glued and held to the top by 1-1/4" flat-head screws, two of them being sufficient. These are countersunk.

The separating piece at the other end of the long legs is 1/2" × 1" × 4-9/16" and is held in place by 1-1/4" brads and glue. It is attached 2" from the ends.

Two separating pieces are next made for the short legs, 1/2" × 1" × 3-1/2", and these are attached in the same manner as the piece between the long legs.

A cleat 7/8" × 1" × 3-7/16" is attached with glue and 1-1/2" flat-head screws, 2" from the small end of the board. This holds the short legs in position.

All pieces should be thoroughly sanded with No. 1/2 sandpaper before being assembled. No further finish is necessary.