9-Tile Nature Art Table

®
A Collaborative Program of
Arbor Day Foundation and
Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
9-Tile Nature Art Table
#3915, 4253
Assembly Instructions
Please open and inspect all items upon receipt. If you have
any questions or concerns, please contact us immediately.
1-888-908-8733
|
service@natureexplore.org
|
natureexplore.org
Rev. 1-5-2015 ©2015 Dimensions Foundation
Quality Commitment
Thank you for your shared commitment to connecting children
with nature and your support of children’s life-long learning. Nature
Explore is dedicated to providing quality, research-based educational
materials for your outdoor spaces, as well as outdoor classroom design
services and educator workshops.
Our natural products are field-tested by trained educators who
observe children using them in play—focusing on safety, educationalvalue and versatility—prior to being offered in the Resource Guide.
Our natural products, such as wooden instruments, tables or balance
beams, are hand-crafted by trusted professionals who support our
shared mission. All natural products are constructed of materials
carefully selected for functionality, safety and durability.
We encourage you to contact us with questions or for more
information on our natural products and services. If inquiring about
a past or existing order, please have your order number handy
(Ex: SO90001234) so we may answer your questions and provide
additional information as needed. All of our warranty, return and
exchange policies can be found online or sent by request.
All items created by and manufactured exclusively for Nature Explore
are done so in accordance with all relevant and applicable safety
standards and recommendations as set forth by the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission and ASTM International. Be sure to
consider additional regulations that may be unique to your site.
How to Assemble a Nature Art Table
Recommended Ages:
Small #4253: ages 2-5
Large #3915: ages 5-12
Recommended Crew: 1-2 adults
Average Assembly Time: 1-2 hours
!
When using volunteer labor, make sure
that the person assembling the Nature
Art Table has the necessary skill level.
!
Do not allow children to play on or near
equipment that is in need of repair/
replacement, is incomplete or considered
unsafe as serious injury may occur.
Before you begin:
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Please read and follow all safety information.
Please review assembly and installation diagrams.
Verify component and hardware quantities received.
Familiarize yourself with installation procedures.
Consult local building codes and regulations.
Natural wood products such as this will check, crack and possibly warp over time. This is not a defect in
the product, but a natural process that should be expected and can offer additional learning opportunities for
children.
This product is NOT water-tight or weather-proof. It comes with an initial application of SoySeal Wood Sealer
and Waterproofer. Annual to bi-annual reapplication of SoySeal, or your preferred commercial water-seal, can
extend the useful life of this item. Check with local building codes, playground experts, and wood preservation
experts for the local rules and regulations to ensure best practices are implemented. Also, (optional) caulking
along the seams (interior and exterior) of this item after assembly may improve functionality and extend its
useful life.
Inspection & Maintenance:
Inspect this item before each use.
• Ensure item is stable on the ground (level surface)
• Check to see that legs are secure and bolts/screws are snug, but not over tightened
• Confirm the absence of any structurally-compromising cracks
• Ensure surfaces are smooth and splinter-free
• Remove and replace any tiles that are cracked or broken
General Maintenance should be performed monthly-quarterly as needed to help reduce potential injuries and
extend the life of your natural product.
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Sand to remove any splinters
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Tighten all screws/bolts to ensure they are snug, but not overtightened
Annual to Bi-annual Maintenance should be performed as needed depending on your preference and
local climate.
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Re-apply your preferred commercial wood-protector or water-seal. This item came with an initial
application of SoySeal Wood Sealer and Waterproofer
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ALWAYS check with local building codes, playground experts and wood preservation experts for the local
rules and regulations.
Material Safety Data Sheet for SoySeal Wood Sealer and Waterproofer
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Tools Needed:
1. Electric drill and/or Phillips screwdriver (#2)
2. 1/4” Socket
3. Socket wrench
Parts List:
The table will arrive in 3 separate boxes.
Box 1:
1 - Table top (1)
1 - Bag of hardware - (located in table pocket)
12 - 2 1/2” Screws
8 - 3 1/2” Carriage bolts
8 - 1/2” Lock washers
8 - 3/4” Washers
8 - 1/4” Acorn nuts
8 - 1/4” Nuts
Box 2:
4 - 2x4 Table legs (A)
2 - 2x4 End cross-braces (B)
1 - 2x4 Center cross-brace (C)
B
Box 3:
5 - Square tiles
4 - Corner tiles
A
C
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1 With the help of an assistant,
place the table top upside down
on a flat surface.
2 Insert a carriage bolt into each
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3 Each table leg is marked with a
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of the pre-drilled holes from the
inside of the pockets.
number (1, 2, 3, 4). Align each table
leg with it’s matching number.
4 Attach the 4 table legs to the table
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top by placing a 3/4” washer, 1/2”
lock washer and 1/4” nut on to
each carriage bolt.
Do not tighten all the way down,
just tight enough to support the
table when standing upright.
5 With the help of another person,
flip the table upright onto its legs.
6 Start a 2 1/2” screw into each of the
pre-drilled holes located on the ends
of each of the end cross-braces. The
tip of the screw should just barely
break the plane of the brace.
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Step 7
7 The ends of each end cross-brace
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8 When you have them lined up,
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9 The ends of the center cross-brace is
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is marked with a letter (A, B, C, D).
Align each end cross brace with it’s
matching letter on the INSIDE of the
table legs. Insert the screw tips into
the pre-drilled holes. The table legs
should be loose enough to allow
you to line them up perfectly.
tighten the screws. Be sure not to
over tighten as this will strip out the
wood. When using an electric drill,
be sure to use a low speed setting so
that you don’t overtighten and split
the wood.
marked with a letter (E, F). Align the
center cross-brace with it’s matching
letter on the INSIDE of the end crossbraces.
Step 9
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Start a 2 1/2” screw into each of
the pre-drilled holes on the center
of the end cross-braces. The tip of
the screw should just barely break
the plane of the brace.
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Insert the screw tips into the
pre-drilled holes. The table legs
should be loose enough to allow
you to line them up perfectly.
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When you have them lined up,
tighten the screws.
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Over-tightening screws & bolts will
cause the wood to crack and/or split.
Make sure that the table is setting
level, then tighten the 1/4” nuts
on the table legs.
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Place a 1/4” acorn nut on each of
the carriage bolts. Tighten the
acorn nuts.
Each tile has a number (1, 2, 3, etc.)
on the bottom. Align each tile with
its corresponding slot on the table.
Place the tile flush against the
straight edge at a 45 degree
angle. Lower the tile and press
firmly into place.
CAUTION:
Tiles are fragile and will break over
time. Do not allow children to strike
the tiles with hard or sharp objects
such as rocks, tools, etc. Most 12”x12”
ceramic floor tiles, found at your local
home improvement store, can be used
to replace any broken tiles. Cutting
the corner tiles requires an adequate
skill level. You may consider ordering
Replacement Tile Sets in advance at
www.natureexplore.org.
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Do NOT drag the table. Be sure to lift
and carry the table when moving to a
different location. Dragging the table will
cause the screws & bolts attaching the
legs to loosen and the table to become
unstable or ‘wobbly’.
Place the assembled table on a leveled
surface. Your 9-Tile Nature Art Table is
now complete and ready for use.
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Important Facts About Natural Wood Products
Many Nature Explore Natural Products, such as Giant Tree Cookies, balance beams, tables,
seating, and wooden instruments, are hand-crafted out of natural materials for their
educational value, natural aesthetic qualities and personal enjoyment. Routine visual
inspection and occasional sanding or bolt tightening is recommended to ensure items are
in the best and safest condition and to extend the overall useful life of the item(s).
As natural products age and acclimate to changing climates, you will notice graining, knots
and checking (a natural cracking process that occurs as wood releases moisture across
annual growth rings) as shown below. Should this natural process result in splintering or a
rough surface, simply sand the area and return it to use.
In addition, natural products will develop a beautiful silvery-gray patina over time.
Observing wood’s natural color change and aging is a valuable part of children’s
connection with nature. Each item’s dimension and appearance will vary due to the
uniqueness of the wood from which it was created. There are a variety of treatment
options you can use to extend the life of your Nature Explore Natural Product such as
linseed oil or soy-based sealants. Please consult a local expert (i.e. wood-working expert,
general contractor, lumber yard, parks & recreation department, etc.) to see what options
are appropriate and safe in your particular area.
In rare cases, as items continue to dry and acclimate to your local climate/environment,
there is a chance that mold discoloration will appear. Routine sanding and ensuring the
item is installed on a surface with adequate drainage (i.e. mulch, gravel, etc.) will reduce the
potential for mold. Installing on grass surfaces allows moisture to be trapped underneath
the product and is not recommended. Should mold occur on any of your Nature Explore
natural products, please contact us for quick and easy removal recommendations.
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Nature Explore Natural Products are designed to bring children closer to nature
and help them develop life-long learning skills. To ensure safety and effectiveness,
please be sure to follow the instructions for assembly, installation, warnings, and
maintenance. Failure to follow all of the instructions will void any warranty offer.
Keep in mind, even properly installed Nature Explore Natural Products can present
hazards to children without adequate supervision. Also be sure to check with any
applicable building codes which may pertain to your outdoor space and/or use of
these products.
Depending on the location and context of the outdoor classroom, the supervisors
may be paid professionals (full-time park or school/child care facility staff ), paid
seasonal workers (college or high school students), volunteers (PTA members), or
the parents of the children playing in the outdoor classroom. Ultimately the overall
safety of the space depends on the quality of the supervisor’s knowledge of safe
play behavior. Therefore, supervisors should understand the basics of safety in an
outdoor classroom.
Outdoor classroom supervisors should be aware that not all equipment and
natural products are appropriate for all children who may use the outdoor
classroom. Posted signs or labels indicating the appropriate age of the users
should be checked before play begins, and supervisors should direct children to
equipment and natural products appropriate for their age. It is also very important
to recognize that younger children require more attentive supervision than older
children do.
Building Codes:
Variations in building codes, specific local development covenants, or site
conditions may require modification to the installation of the natural product.
Outdoor classroom owners are ultimately responsible for complying with all
applicable permits, building codes and other regulatory requirements, and should
review their outdoor classroom with local building inspectors. All appropriate
building permits should be obtained prior to starting installation.
Liability:
Nature Explore shall have no liability or responsibility for actions or inaction in
connection with any Nature Explore Natural Product or any damage or liability
that arises during the construction and/or use. Always read and observe all safety
precautions provided by the Consumer Product Safety Council regarding toy safety,
playground safety, and any other applicable programs. Likewise, always read and
observe all safety precautions provided by any tool or equipment manufacturer
consulted during installation.
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