2019-05-31

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
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
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

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















2019-05-25

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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Left Rear View
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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version
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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Right Front View
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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Left Front View
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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Left Front View
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 From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Right Rear View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Rear View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Right Side View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Right Side Top View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side Top View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Right Side Top Front View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Right Side Top Front View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Front View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Front View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Front Right View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Front Right View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Left View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Left View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Left Rear View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Left Rear View

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Rear View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Rear View


Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Top Rear Right View
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Top Rear Right View



Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Red Version - Towing the Lorry Truck
Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck Red Version Towing The Lorry Truck


2019-05-18

Naming Your Photos For SEO Some Thoughts



Photos are the name of the game.  I am on some forums where the photos are a constant problem due to their size restrictions. Admins and moderators are always explaining to people how to post pictures. Many users give up.  Some of the members eventually get something posted post some pretty bad pictures because they are not resizing them properly. I think it is a good thing that we can upload full-size images to this forum. It lets us zoom in on details we are interested in and see what is there.

Another photo issue I find annoying is that most web sites will rename the files to something crazy. For example 55823699_2030616736987212_8952670014943526912_o.jpg

A search engine such as Google only knows that it's an image and must attempt to figure out what it is from the context. Developers don't read Googles SEO guidelines which clearly describe how you should name your files so the search engine can identify them. I  try to rename all of my photos according to Googles guidelines, whether online or on my local disk drive. It makes it much easier to find them.   This forum does not rename the files. When someone searches for "wooden toy cars" in google photos, they are quite likely to find one of the photos in this forum and come here. I like this a lot.

Here an example using one of my photos:


Handmade Woodentoy Dinosaur Pterodactyl
20181224-103357 Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaur Pterodactyl 655979018.jpg


20181224-103357 Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaur Pterodactyl 655979018.jpg

The first block of numbers is the date time stamp pulled directly from the photo EXIF data. Next is a text description you don't need sentences here you want keywords to help you and the search engines find the photo. The last numbers are something I started adding recently. It's the Etsy listing number. This number isn't much use to a search engine, but it is beneficial for me.  However, if you plug the listing number into Google, you will not only find this photo but other related images. Including some of my other listings and posts about toy dinosaurs.  Plug in just the text, and you will see more of my dinosaur photos.

If you are a user of Google photos, the search will search the file names so you don't have to upload them and then add a description so you can find them again later.

If you have an online presence like an Etsy shop, blog or you want to be able to find that particular photo two years from now. Take the time to put a descriptive name on your files. If you post on a forum that mangles you file names. Add the file name as a caption to the photo.

As of this writing, I have 36,410 photos in my local photo album and 89,188 in Google Photos. Not all mine. The significant number is because of photo sharing. I also have copies of all of my wife's photos and lots of pictures that friends and family have shared with me. 

This is a copy of a post I made in the toymakingplans.com forum.

2019-05-15

Etsy Listing 705872553 Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side Front View


I made a fleet of these trucks for my grandson. He has been playing with them for almost a year now.  The photos are of a used truck because he grabbed them before I had a chance to take these photos.


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Right Side

Except for the wheels, you can make all the parts for this truck from wood you can buy at a big box store. The body is cut with a scroll saw from a section of 2x4 although a piece of 2x6 would be easier. I had to reduce the size of the body to avoid the rounded corners on the 2x4. I had to adjust the sides of the bed to clear the wheels.

You could easily make this from MDF or any other wood you choose. I used pine because it was lighter than the other options and I like to keep the weight of my toy well under 16 ounces.



Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Right Side Front


You could drill a round hole for the window. It would be much easier but I think it completely changes the character of the design. If you don't have a scroll saw drilling the window might be your only option.



Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Front
There isn't a lot of detail on the toy truck. The simple design is much easier to make than more complex toys. Plus, there are a lot fewer bits and pieces to make and get broken. I have considered adding some fenders.




Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side

The sides are made from poplar hardwood and finished with amber shellac. I finished all of the parts before assembly masking the areas where the glue needs to be applied with blue painters tape. Getting the tape in the right place is always a bit of a trick.


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side Rear

The barrels are cut from a piece of 'closet pole' I had on hand. They did not fit the holes in the bead perfectly, so I had to drill the holes slightly tight and open them up with a sanding drum and a Dremel. Since then I have purchased a full set of forstner bits. The next time I make one of these I will have the proper size bits.





Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet -Right Side Rear



I recommend drilling the holes for the barrels after the body is completed. Paint and all. Use a very sharp Forstner bit or brad point bit and a drill press to drill the holes. Painters tape on the body will go a long way toward stopping tear out and chipping of the paint. Using this method to drilling the holes will help to ensure they are at right angles to the body. You could drill them in the block of wood before you cut the body but, getting the pattern mounted correctly and cutting it perfectly is more difficult to pull off. You also might want to consider drilling after the wheels are mounted. I make a T-Bucket Hot Rod that I drill with the wheels on. Its the only way I have found to get the hole for the peg doll centered and verticle.




Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - RightSide Front

I bought the wheels. I don't make wheels any more unless they are something special. It's faster and cheaper for me to buy them already made. The axles are 1/4-inch birch dowels. You could use axle pegs but, you need to be very careful to get the holes perfectly aligned, or you may wind up with a wheel not touching the ground. Using solid dowel axles makes repairs easier to make.


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side Front


The paint on this truck is Behr Oops paint from home depot applied by hand with a brush. I have had good results using these paints. I check in the paint section each time I go into the store and take home any bright colors I find there.




Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck  & Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet


The front of the truck is notched on the underside to work with the tow truck that is part of this series of five vehicles.


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Right Side Top


These trucks are quite large:


Length: 9 inches
Height: 4 inches
Width: 3.5 inches

I would like to make smaller versions sometime in the future. More the size of the Play Pals and make some of the play pals with the notches for the tow hooks.





Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Right Side Top Front


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Front Top View


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Add captionHandmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side Top


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet -Left Side Top


Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet - Left Side Rear



Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Etsy Listing 705872553
Handmade Wooden Toy Lorry Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet -Right Side Rear



2019-05-14

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.
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.

2019-05-11

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


Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
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 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Front View








Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side/Front View




Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side View





Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left/Rear View





Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear View



Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right/Rear View





Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right Side Top Showing the Bed Detail





Etsy Listing 691678874 - Wooden Toy Truck Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet Lumber Truck Yellow Amber Shellac Pine White Oak Birch
Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear Top Showing the Bed Detail