We are successfully past the first day. As it turned out me and Jana we were not the only ones eagerly anticipated this day. Mathias, one of the seven tinkerers, woke up one hour earlier than he intended. He realised his mistake no sooner then he rang the bell at the door of his friend Michael, whose parents were going to drive both boys to the Tinkering School ;-).
After saying goodbye to parents and short explanation of rules, handing out gloves and goggles (very cool goggles, mind you) we explained kids the situation. The country of Quameaukiriki was flooded by a humongous tsunami wave and took away everything that stood in its way. Desperate Quameaukirikis were left even with nothing to sit on. The only thing that was left at the sea shore were just some bits and pieces of plywood and wood from the hull of an old ship. Luckily, the sea also washed ashore a box with some cordless drills and one-size wood screws. Well, it seamed we had to built some chairs our selves. But how, when all experienced and skilled woodworkers were washed away by the sea?
Having played with the material for a short while, Juraj and Mario discovered a way how the components can be joint to one another.
In a short while Pavla and Ema had a manufactory for chair legs going.
Michael chose a different approach. Minimalist design rules the world. Are you finished?
Thomas as the youngest kid was given the lightest cordless drill. But to drive a screw into plywood with no pre-drilled hole is too hard for him for now. A hammer helps him to pin the screw down a a bit and make the whole thing easier.
That's the way to go! And it doesn't matter that the chair has only two legs. Its plenty. Or isn't it?
The older boys - Mario and Yuraj, they have entirely different ambitions. Who would waste time on building a chair when you can make a bench. Quameaukirikans will certainly appreciate that.
Mathias and Michael picked up the pace and added a backrest.
With each progressive step Thomas is changing the chair design as he finds fit. A third leg and a miniature backrest was added.
Team work. What is it going to be?
The rescue service rushes in. The splinter was removed proficiently and painlessly. The arm was saved and amputation thus avoided.
A regular chair or a deck chair? The backrest seems quite comfortable but what about those legs? Aren't they a bit short?
After lunch we need time for digestion. An old construction safety net tied to a walnut tree is a perfect adventure for this moment.
What a view! You can see the second neighbour from up here!
But to enjoy the bird's view, you have to wait in the cue.
Siesta is over - time to tinker again. The bench already looks like a bench.
Even Boyar the dog likes it.
But clearly its not it yet. Yuraj is thinking how he could improve it.
One of many moments of sheer joy when something turns out right. The legs are now firmly attached.
When there is no wise around, nothing beats a good helper. Tomas is by now much more efficient with the drill. Now he reaches for the hammer only occasionally.
Now Michael in the position of the holding expert.
The design of Thomas's chair takes a new unexpected twist. Whenever he manages to drive a screw deep into the plywood he is genuinely happy. That's when it feels right.
“See, Rastio. Now even grown ups can sit on my chair! Well, medium sized anyway."
Pavla came up with the idea of adding a bottle holder. The ideas was immediately adopted. Since copying of good ideas is very much welcomed and encouraged in Tinkering School Bratislava, soon everyone wanted to have a bottle holder.
Boyar in the role of the tester. He didn't much appreciate the backrest, but the seat he said is fine.
The armrest would be in the way of the drinks in the holder. Hmmm, and what if it pivoted around here? But how to do it?
Michael has a body posture like a professional. The right angle, right force. That's when the work becomes most delightful.
An innovative backrest support. Ahaaa, not all connections have to be perpendicular! It works even in a triangle.
We can have an afternoon snack as far as I'm concerned.
The food test even better when served on a self-made furniture. Quameaukirikans are saved.
Especially the bottle holders came in very handy. What would we do without them?
Although it doesn't look like rain today, one never knows. “I always wanted to make a chair with a little roof!" It also protects you from tsunami.
He finished his masterpiece with a grandiose triangle above the head. Should Thomas become a designer in the future, he would certainly not be the conventional kind.
The roof is not at all a bad idea. A bench with no roof is like a Quameaukirikan with no drill. But we will have to finish it tomorrow. Parents are here and its time to go home.
Only Pavla and Ema are staying. Pavla must have committed some hideous crime because Ema decided to grill her in the (Thomas's) electric chair.
Uncensored! This picture should have never left the gates of our jail :-)
After a whole day spent with cordless drills in their hands the girls decided to spend the remaining their free time with cordless drills in their hands. Ema just found out that wood has different strength in different directions. Broken off part needs to be replaced.
The extra work paid off. Ema has fixed her roof and Pavla is demonstrating her fantastic pivoting armrests.
Yadadaa!
See you tomorrow, friends.
