You’ve got in all probability seen lockers in a highschool hallway, a break room, or a locker room. Lockers are widespread in these locations as a result of they’ve a big give attention to effectivity and lockers are a safe and environment friendly technique to retailer issues. You’ve got in all probability by no means seen a locker in a toddler’s bed room or playroom, nonetheless, as a result of regardless of their many sensible qualities, they’re boring. I need to educate you how one can have a storage system that has all of the practicality of a locker, however is simply as enjoyable because the toys within it. I’m speaking in regards to the Lego Locker. Let’s lower to the purpose. Beneath you can see directions on tips on how to make the Lego locker, I like to recommend that you simply go to http://www.schoollockers.com/blog/how-to/diy-lego-locker to see footage of the Lego Locker. The right way to Make a Lego Locker Supplies: 1 small used locker About 16 – Four in PVC Knockout Caps (quantity could differ relying on the dimensions of the locker) Enjoyable coloured spray paint (2-Three cans) Masking tape Liquid contact cement Except for the locker, all supplies may be discovered at your native ironmongery shop for a low worth. I used to be capable of finding the plastic caps at Dwelling Depot for $zero.42 a bit. The locker that I used got here from the positioning listed on the backside of the article. This web site has nice, low cost used lockers in lots of shapes and sizes. To make a Lego Locker, I might begin by their 1 tier lockers, or Youngsters lockers. I used to be capable of finding an superior Four-foot-tall yellow locker for reasonable that labored nice for this challenge. It doesn’t matter what measurement of locker you’re in search of, I might advocate a locker with flat doorways and sides. The colour is just not crucial as a result of you’ll find yourself spray portray the locker anyway. Reworking the Locker: Most used lockers may have some minor rust, dents or paint chips. Earlier than doing the rest, it’s a good suggestion to hammer out any dents and flippantly sand any rust spots or locations the place the paint has chipped. Sand areas even the place there’s no rust or chipped paint to take away any residues from overseas substances that will have are available in contact with the locker over time. You don’t want to take away all of the paint, simply the chips, rust spots and residues from its previous life. Take away any quantity plates or different attachments that you don’t want on the ultimate locker. If you’re feeling bold, you may even take away the deal with and discover a technique to make one of many Lego pegs work as a deal with. I solely advocate doing this in case you are actually good with mechanical issues as a result of each locker deal with is completely different and getting this to work effectively may be troublesome. Upon getting the locker stripped and sanded, it is time to determine the format of your Lego pegs. The locker that I used was 1-foot large and Four ft tall. I wished to do 2 columns of pegs, so to stay with the pure width-to-height ratio of the locker, that meant that I wanted to do eight rows of locker pegs. Eight rows appeared like so much for a single Lego brick, so I made a decision to separate it up into 2 bricks. You need every peg to be utterly on the door, so I began out by putting a peg in every nook of the door with the skin edges of the pegs tight in opposition to the sides of the door. I measured the midway level of the locker (24″) and made a light line so that both bricks would be exactly the same size. I then did my best to evenly space out 8 pegs onto each brick. The spacing will vary for each locker size, but for me, each row of pegs ended up being about 1.5″ aside. Upon getting the pegs spaced out appropriately, mark a circle round every peg with a pen or sharpie. You’ll want to restrict the variety of marks that you simply make as a result of spray paint doesn’t cowl sharpie marks very effectively. Together with your marks made, you are actually prepared to connect on all of the pegs. I like to recommend utilizing liquid contact cement for the gluing as a result of it’s robust, versatile, quick, and dries clear. Thinly coat the sting of every plastic peg with the contact cement. Apply the cement on the locker door as effectively on the spot the place the peg will keep up a correspondence with the door. Let the contact cement on each the door and peg get a bit cheesy earlier than sticking the 2 components collectively. In the event you coat 1 peg, coat the door, then coat one other peg, the timing ought to be nearly proper for sticking that first peg to the door. Proceed this sample till you’re finished with all of the pegs. As soon as all of the pegs are caught, you’re prepared to color! I used Rustoleum 2x Spray Paint with Primer as a result of I’ve discovered that it covers effectively, and doesn’t require a primer coat. Use a paint with a “gloss” end, as a result of the shiny paint appears to be like identical to the shiny plastic of a brand-new Lego. Most tasks simply take 2 or Three coats. The yellow paint, nonetheless, didn’t cowl effectively and took extra coats, so it is in all probability greatest to stay to darker colours like pink, blue or inexperienced. If you’re doing a number of colours you’ll want to use masking tape to supply a crisp, clear line between bricks. Paint the highest brick first in order that if and runs or stray clouds of paint that come down from the highest half will hit the (nonetheless unpainted) backside part. Sometimes, 20-30 minutes is sufficient time to attend in between coats of the identical colour, however you’ll want to let the final coat remedy a number of hours or ideally in a single day earlier than continuing to a different colour. You need to wait till the paint is cured as a result of you’ll in all probability must put masking tape on prime of your new paint whenever you change colours and you don’t want to do that till the paint is sweet and cured. As soon as the paint is all dry and the masking tape is peeled off, you’re able to take pleasure in your shiny, new Lego Locker. Put the locker in a child’s playroom, daycare or kindergarten for a enjoyable new technique to retailer toys and books!
