Models vs Toys and Other Musings

I see people interchangeably using the terms model and toy. I've seen people call scrollsawn animal cutouts models and elaborate builds with hundreds of tiny parts toys. Perhaps this is just a language thing that I don't know about. However, I am curious.

At what point do you think a toy becomes a model?

If it is easily broken, it is not a toy or perhaps poorly designed or built. For example, dropping it on the floor breaks the toy. All my toys that have wheels on them get drop tested by my grandson. Wooden dinosaurs always seem to be getting into fights. Occasionally, one gets hammered on the concrete floor.

If it has many small, easily breakable detailed parts, it is not a toy.

What do you think?

These lines can get very blurred. They even branch out into other areas that are not toys or models. Since opening my Etsy store, I have discovered that many of my toys are considered decorations. You would think nursery decorations or for a child's room. I've had at least one of my cars be used as a cake topper, and four of them are sitting on a window sill in a kitchen in Australia. My dragons are being used for decorations. So much so that I am considering adding the puzzle as just a cutout to sit on a door frame and promoting it as decor.

Handmade Wooden Toy Cars In Australia

I see people interchangeably using the terms model and toy. I've seen people call scrollsawn animal cutouts models and elaborate builds with hundreds of tiny parts toys. Perhaps this is just a language thing that I don't know about. However, I am curious.

At what point do you think a toy becomes a model?

If it is easily broken, it is not a toy or perhaps poorly designed or built. For example, dropping it on the floor breaks the toy. All my toys that have wheels on them get drop tested by my grandson. Wooden dinosaurs always seem to be getting into fights. Occasionally, one gets hammered on the concrete floor.

If it has many small, easily breakable detailed parts, it is not a toy.

What do you think?

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Shower Cake Topper - Baby Blue - 32 Ford Sedan Hot Rod

These dinosaurs are toys buy my definition. They are two years old and have survived many dinosaur battles. Little did I know the tail made a great handle not only for dinosaur fights but for using them as a hammer. The first one was broken within a minute after giving it to my grandson.  He immediately grabbed it by the tail, made growling noises, began hammering it into the floor saying eat, eat, eat. At two he knew T-Rex ate other dinosaurs. I don't know how he managed to break the right arm off both of them, but he did it so many times that I finally pinned them. They haven't come off since.

Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaurs Showing Battle Scars and Repairs by The Toy Shop Vet

Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaurs Showing Battle Scars and Repairs by The Toy Shop Vet

Etsy Listing - 482847326 - Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Acrylic Paint - Amber Shellac - Pine - Birch - Oak

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Left Rear View

Here is a red painted version of my previously posted shellac finished version of my tow truck.  It was played with by my grandson before the photos were taken. 

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side

I made this version of the tow truck for my grandson. There are a few differences from the previous version. This one I painted red using Apple Barrel  "Bright Red" acrylic craft paint. I did not apply any primer or clear coat. The color was applied directly from the bottle with a brush. I have used this paint on many toys. It covers well, cures fast, and looks good by itself. Applying a clear top coat will make the color pop. This time I chose not to use the clear coat.

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Front View

I cut the body from a section of pine 2x4 using a scroll saw and a #5 skip tooth blade. The pattern is designed for cutting from 2x6 stock. I shrink the template slightly to fit a 2x4 Avoiding the rounded corners. You can't shrink it too much without using smaller wheels. You could make this from any wood you like by gluing up stock to the proper thickness. This toy truck would be an excellent candidate to make from MDF. There are no sharp corners or easily breakable parts anywhere on the body.

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Left Front View

I used solid axles made from 1/4-inch dowels for this version of the tow truck. Using sold axles lets you be a bit less precise with hole placement. If axle pegs are used on a six-wheeled vehicle, it is easy to get one or more of the holes out of alignment and have a wheel or wheels that don't touch the ground. Because the axle holes have some wiggle room the holes can be a bit off, and the wheels will align just fine.  However, I do like the look of the hubs provided by the axle pins.

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Left Side View

I used hardwood for the tow hook instead of plywood for this build. So far it has held up well. This would be stronger using baltic birch plywood or some shop made hardwood plywood.

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Rear View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side Top View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side Top Front View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Front View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Front Right View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Left View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Left Rear View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Rear View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Rear Right View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Towing The Lorry Truck

Handmade Wooden Toy Mammoth With Shopmade Plywood Tusks

I'm concerned enough about breakage to make hardwood plywood for weaker parts. I did this recently when I made the wooly mammoth from one of John Lewman's book "The Toy Wizard's Favorite Scroll Saw Patterns for Toy Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creatures" for my grandson. I could not find any solid wood for the tusks that would not break with just finger pressure. I made up some three layer plywood from some thin pieces of oak I had. The plywood was thin. Slightly more than 1/8-inch thick. I could not break the tusks with my hands.

Handmade Wooden Toy Mammoth With Shopmade Plywood Tusks

Handmade Wooden Toy Mammoth With Shopmade Plywood Tusks with Baby Mammoth

If you would like to purchase a Mammoth or Mammoth with Baby Mammoth", they are available via custom order in my Etsy shop OdinsToyFactory. When you get to the shop, there is a "Custom Order Button" on the left side of the screen. Other prehistoric animals are also available in the shop and via custom orders. If there is a pattern available for it I can make it.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Lumber Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck

I made this toy truck using Pine Wood Body, Birch Hardwood Axles, Birch Hardwood Wheels, Nontoxic Acrylic Paint, Nontoxic Amber Shellac, and Nontoxic Wood Glue. The paint is hand brushed acrylic. Amber shellac was used for all the hardwood parts.  There is a notch under the front of the truck for a tow hook. One of the trucks in this series is a tow truck.

Handmade wooden toy tow truck towing One of the other trucks in the Series showing how the tow hook works.

I looked at several methods of holding the load on the back before finally settling on the Rubber bands. These are nonlatex rubber bands I purchased from Amazon. No worries about latex allergies and they are easy enough for a small child to manage.  The hooks are birch axle pegs. The prototype has been in use for almost 2 years, and the bands are still looking like new.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck

I use pine for the body to help keep the weight down. It could easily be made from hardwoods or even MDF, but it would be much heavier, and at 14 ounces it is already pushing the limit for the cheap first class shipping.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck

I used Oak for the bed of the truck because I did not think pine would be strong enough and I think the contrasting color of the oak looks nice.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck

I cut the timbers on my Shopsmith table saw using a MicroJig Grr-ripper to hold the small pieces. It worked great. The timbers are unfinished, but they have been thoroughly sanded smooth and the corners rounded.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Side View

It takes several days to make one of these. Primarily, this is due to painting. There are several coats of paint on the body that need to be bone dry to sand between the layers of paint.  Because I work full time and live in a very humid climate, I usually have to wait 24 hours between coats of paint. Some paints, usually the lighter colors take longer.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear View

This handmade wooden toy lumber truck is made to order. Ships in 5 to 10 business days. Many colors and finishes are available including oils or no finish at all. Want it as a kit to assemble yourself? Just ask. I can paint this toy just about any color you want. Custom orders are welcome. The finish is hand painted any color you choose.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Side/

Rear View

Shellac is a safe, non-toxic, durable finish that has been approved by the FDA for use in foods. All the paints are non-toxic acrylics.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Tie Down Pin Detail

Length: 9 inches
Height: 4 inches
Width: 3.5 inches
Weight" ~14 ounces

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right Side View

These are durable toys and given reasonable care this toy should last a very long time. Toys built for play.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right Side/Front VIew

I combine shipping when you order multiple items. I refund excess shipping.

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Front View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side/Front View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left/Re

ar View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right/Rear View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right Side Top Showing the Bed Detail

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear Top Showing the Bed Detail