Busy/Fiddle Boards

[Cubist]

My daughter just sent me details of a Fiddle Board that caught her attention while looking for Xmas presents for my grand-daughter. She asked me how much I thought it may cost and after telling her I thought I could make one for a fiver she told me its marketed at £180!

A couple of questions come to mind;

• What kind of bloody idiot pays that kind of money for something like this?
• What kind of idiot could not make one in about ten minutes?
• How long would it take an average 2 year old to realise what a pratt the buyer is?

I'm starting a new cottage industry making simple stuff for the simple-minded that buy this kind of stuff for kids that are probably smarter than them.

Gobsmacked - is the only terms that fits my response. That and terrified by the thought the makers assessment of the intellect of their market may be right!

Think I'll go back to bed.

 

[Feltwell]

** Had to Google "Fiddle board" **

Ignorance is bliss, I'm a happy chap. Apart from when I'm grumpy.

 

[Cubist]

I'm having a lot of after-thoughts today. OK, so pretty much normal then, but this one has some mileage maybe. Like all Dads I suspect I've been blessed with any number of 'amusing' gifts from my girl. These have included such things as ties and socks that would scandalise/affront an undertaker and the only person who would ever see them again left to me and not a few 'jokey' items intended to amuse but not mollify any thoughts of being overlooked should a birthday a Xmas pass without an apparent thought. This latter group includes such items as a 'Tea Bell' of the kind one may have found on the counter of a hotel - the First Lady hates that one - and a 'Bull-sh__ Button' that kicks off a siren when pushed - I hate that one.

These and similar I think, my grand-daughter could find infinitely amusing - time for some payback!

 

[LadyArowana]

My daughter just sent me details of a Fiddle Board that caught her attention while looking for Xmas presents for my grand-daughter.

A couple of questions come to mind

• What kind of idiot could not make one in about ten minutes

I can answer this one at least, His Lordship. I have never known him to successfully assemble anything, he wasn't even allowed the sharp scissors at work. The rule in our house is that either I do it, or we "get a tradesman* in"

*Could also be a tradeswoman but never has been.

 

[Feltwell]

I'm having a lot of after-thoughts today. OK, so pretty much normal then, but this one has some mileage maybe. Like all Dads I suspect I've been blessed with any number of 'amusing' gifts from my girl. These have included such things as ties and socks that would scandalise/affront an undertaker and the only person who would ever see them again left to me and not a few 'jokey' items intended to amuse but not mollify any thoughts of being overlooked should a birthday a Xmas pass without an apparent thought. This latter group includes such items as a 'Tea Bell' of the kind one may have found on the counter of a hotel - the First Lady hates that one - and a 'Bull-sh__ Button' that kicks off a siren when pushed - I hate that one.

These and similar I think, my grand-daughter could find infinitely amusing - time for some payback!

Payback on offspring with their children?

Oh, that's easy. A drum kit for Christmas.

 

[Cubist]

Payback on offspring with their children?

Oh, that's easy. A drum kit for Christmas.

The Son in Law, amongst other things, plays guitar in a heavy metal band. I just keep my distance - about two counties worth.

 

[Feltwell]

The Son in Law, amongst other things, plays guitar in a heavy metal band.

Good man!

We actually bought my youngest son a drum kit for one Christmas. However - not being completely stupid - it was an electronic drum kit, with headphones
He's quite a good drummer, but ironically so far at least (he's only 12) he is the only member of the family not into rock & metal of one form or another.

 

[Cubist]

Good man!

You aint heard him, or his band mates.

My daughter, kind soul that she can be most of the time, without discussion with her mother or myself, arranged for his band to play a set at their wedding reception. The image of four blokes in morning suits and long hair flailing around their heads - accompanied by a head-banging pal dressed in a TRex outfit (the dinosaur not the band) - is a memory hard to expunge.

I'm not sure if it was the intent, but when I described the event as 'carnage' all I got in response was 'cool'.

I'm really, really worried about my Grand-daughter.

 

[Feltwell]

I'm really, really worried about my Grand-daughter.

I had plenty of "eclectic" friends back in University days, most have now got kids, some of those kids also lead rather alternative lifestyles but they've all turned out just fine!

 

[Cubist]

Sorry, I was coming over as a concerned grumpy old git when I was aiming at sardonic irony.

 

[CliffordPope]

** Had to Google "Fiddle board" **

The only definition I knew was a device on a ship for holding crockery, pans etc secure in a rough sea. Cookers have a fiddle rail round the edge to stop pans sliding off. It can also be a wooden board with holes cut in it for mugs, plates etc, clamped onto a table when rough.

The one referred to in the thread appears just to be a thing for fiddling with when bored.

 

[Cubist]

I can answer this one at least, His Lordship. I have never known him to successfully assemble anything, he wasn't even allowed the sharp scissors at work. The rule in our house is that either I do it, or we "get a tradesman* in"

*Could also be a tradeswoman but never has been.

Sorry, missed your reply Lady A.

Oh come on. He must have got to grips with an Ikea flat-pack at some point like most other blokes. Ok, ok, ok, I take that back. I forgot just how many of those blokes may have had less than successful encounters with such furnishings. Also, just who I'm replying to. Excuse me ma'am. (Malcolm - we need a Smilie for 'obsequious tugging of forelock'.

 

[Cubist]

The only definition I knew was a device on a ship for holding crockery, pans etc secure in a rough sea. Cookers have a fiddle rail round the edge to stop pans sliding off. It can also be a wooden board with holes cut in it for mugs, plates etc, clamped onto a table when rough.

The one referred to in the thread appears just to be a thing for fiddling with when bored.

Thanks Clifford. I knew I'd heard the term before but blessed if I could remember where or when or in what context. One less niggle in a dark corner of what passes for my mind. Cheers.

 

[LadyArowana]

Sorry, missed your reply Lady A.

Oh come on. He must have got to grips with an Ikea flat-pack at some point like most other blokes.

Nope, that would be me. His desk was a horror of alternatives depending where you wanted the drawers. But in exchange for that I got to choose the sofa for the TV room and it isn't coming from IKEA

 

[Zebra]

I had to google fiddle/busy boards too. Wouldn't it be much the same experience for the child if you sent them out to play with the tools hanging on the wall of the shed?

 

[Cubist]

I had to google fiddle/busy boards too. Wouldn't it be much the same experience for the child if you sent them out to play with the tools hanging on the wall of the shed?

Depends on which one you're talking about. My grand-daughter isn't quite walking yet and I wouldn't trust my daughter anywhere near my tool-shed.

Anyway, they're my toys, so there!

 

[Toby Newell]

My daughter just sent me details of a Fiddle Board that caught her attention while looking for Xmas presents for my grand-daughter. She asked me how much I thought it may cost and after telling her I thought I could make one for a fiver she told me its marketed at £180!

A couple of questions come to mind;

• What kind of bloody idiot pays that kind of money for something like this?
• What kind of idiot could not make one in about ten minutes?
• How long would it take an average 2 year old to realise what a pratt the buyer is?

I'm starting a new cottage industry making simple stuff for the simple-minded that buy this kind of stuff for kids that are probably smarter than them.

Gobsmacked - is the only terms that fits my response. That and terrified by the thought the makers assessment of the intellect of their market may be right!

Think I'll go back to bed.

What kind of bloody idiot pays that kind of money for something like this?

Someone who has visited a timber yard recently

 

[Cubist]

Mr Newell makes a valid point. It is indeed a long time since I've visited a timber yard and consequently my 'knee jerk' cost estimate may have been rather loose.

Not wishing to mislead anyone I thought it reasonable to re-visit the number and, if necessary, revise my opinion. So, say: -

1. Two sheets 60cm x 60cm x 10mm plywood = £7.50 (assuming cut from a 120 x 2400 sheet for economy of scale and bought from B&Q)
2. 2 metres of 6mm cord = £1.00
3. Paint......

OK, ok.. I see where this is going, so I should have said £10 rather than a fiver - my bad.

N.B. This revised estimate is based on un-discounted retail supply prices as at November 2022 and does not take into account the further savings that may be accrued through the use of surplus materials that may be found in your shed.

 

[Toby Newell]

Mr Newell makes a valid point. It is indeed a long time since I've visited a timber yard and consequently my 'knee jerk' cost estimate may have been rather loose.

Not wishing to mislead anyone I thought it reasonable to re-visit the number and, if necessary, revise my opinion. So, say: -

1. Two sheets 60cm x 60cm x 10mm plywood = £7.50 (assuming cut from a 120 x 2400 sheet for economy of scale and bought from B&Q)
2. 2 metres of 6mm cord = £1.00
3. Paint......

OK, ok.. I see where this is going, so I should have said £10 rather than a fiver - my bad.

N.B. This revised estimate is based on un-discounted retail supply prices as at November 2022 and does not take into account the further savings that may be accrued through the use of surplus materials that may be found in your shed.

We haven't seen the photos yet, no one know what skill and effort has gone into this marvel

I cannot believe anyone would pay 180 quid for a bit of string stuck to some plywood, there must be some funky paint and sparkly bits going on, surely... have you seen the price of glitter?....

 

[Cubist]

We haven't seen the photos yet, no one know what skill and effort has gone into this marvel

I cannot believe anyone would pay 180 quid for a bit of string stuck to some plywood, there must be some funky paint and sparkly bits going on, surely... have you seen the price of glitter?....

As my father would sometimes say; "Only a bloody idiot leaves the house with no idea where they're going, but, there are lots of idiots out there son, be ready for them."