Painting A Bright Red Fat Fender Freaky Ford Panel Wagon

Handmade Wood toy Fat Fendered Freaky Ford Panel Truck

My Shop: https://odinstoyfactory.etsy.com

As a toy maker, I always love finding new projects. Recently, I've been focusing on creating handmade wood toy Fat Fendered Freaky Ford Panel Trucks. Building these little trucks is a lot of fun. I've enjoyed every step of the process.

However, I've been putting off the painting step for a while now. But today, I finally decided it was time to get to work and bring these little trucks to life with a bright red paint job.

I used flat, bright red acrylic craft paint to bring these trucks to life. This paint brushes well and provides good coverage with just a few coats. I opted to brush the paint onto the trucks rather than using an airbrush. While an airbrush can provide a smoother finish, I wanted to let the wood grain show through and give these trucks a rustic look.

I love using flat paint for these toys because it does not show defects as easily as gloss or satin finishes. It also dries quickly, which is always a plus when working on a project like this.

In the end, I'm pleased with how these Fat Fendered Freaky Ford Panel Trucks turned out. They have a fun, playful look and will make a great addition to any child's toy collection. Whether you're a toymaker yourself or love handmade toys, I hope these little trucks will inspire you to get creative and try your hand at making something special.

Painting Toys With An Airbrush: What airbrush do you recommend?

 

Two of my Badger Anthen 155 Airbrushes

 

 

My Etsy Shop

If you're thinking about painting toys with an airbrush, you may wonder what airbrush to use. One option that we highly recommend is the Badger 155 Anthem airbrush.

This airbrush is versatile and can handle just about any paint or finish used for toy making. It's also a bottom-feed airbrush. There are Badger airbrushes that are top feed. The Badger 360 can be used for top or bottom feed. If you only need a small amount of paint, the top feed option is excellent because it allows you to use just a few drops at a time.

The Badger airbrushes are made in the USA and come with excellent support from the manufacturer. If you have any questions or need help with your airbrush, the team at Badger is there to help.

Overall, if you're looking for a reliable, high-quality airbrush for painting toys, the Badger 155 Anthem is a great choice. It's reliable, easy to use, and will give you great results every time.

Badger 155 - Anthem - Dual Action, Internal Mix, Siphon (Bottom) Feed

The Anthem, Model 155, is the most comfortable, reliable, proficient, cost effective, user friendly airbrush ever. The two angle needle tip precisely mates with the Anthem's cone shaped nozzle enabling a single needle/nozzle configuration to spray virtually any desired material, thus eliminating the need for fine, medium, or large needle/nozzle variations. The Anthem's body design provides exacting balance and long term user comfort. The Anthem® also provides flawless performance in the most rigorous of production airbrushing environments.

FEATURES
• Single needle/nozzle for spraying all mediums, inks, dyes, watercolors, acrylics, enamels, lacquers, glazes, latex, Air-Opaqueª, Air-Tex®, MODELflex® Totally Tattoo® and Totally Tanª colors
• Single needle/nozzle sprays pencil lines to 3" (76mm) spray pattern
• Minimal spare parts to stock
• Easy maintenance and cleaning
• Fastest needle release on the market
• Finger tight assembly tolerances
• Excellent for multiple applications for novice to advanced airbrushers
• Lifetime warranty on labor and PTFE seals
• Fine replacement parts now available

Badger 360 - Dual (Gravity/Bottom) Feed, Dual Action, Internal Mix

The Universal® Model 360 is the only airbrush capable of performing in a gravity feed as well as a bottom feed mode. Never before has one airbrush provided so much versatility. It is two airbrushes in one.

FEATURES
• 360º front end rotation to allow for either gravity or bottom feed usage
• Single nozzle/needle sprays from pencil lines to 3" (76mm) spray pattern
• Single size nozzle/needle design for spraying all materials, acrylics to watercolors, inks to lacquers, Air-Opaque™, Air-Tex®, MODELflex®, Totally Tattoo®, Spectra-Tex® and Totally Tan™ airbrush paints
• Easy access needle assembly
• Finger tight assembly tolerances
• Correct weight apportionment balance system
• Ultra comfort, ergonomically correct trigger cushion
• Lifetime warranty on labor, rotational seal and PTFE seals
• Fine replacement parts now available

 #odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica

 

Airbrushing for Toy Making: Which air compressor do I use?

Visit My Etsy Store

One important thing to note is that any compressor will work for airbrushing as long as you can regulate the pressure and filter the air. It is worth noting that none of the airbrush manufacturers make their compressors. If they do sell compressors, they are usually rebranded products from China. I have successfully used both a standard two-stage tank compressor and a Harbor Freight Central Pneumatic compressor. I even know someone who used a spare tire as an air source to paint a show car in their driveway (they used to sell an adapter that fits onto a valve stem to make this possible).

The Harbor Freight compressor is a reliable and cost-effective option. It is quiet and portable, and it even comes with an airbrush. While I have no personal experience with the Harbor Freight airbrush, I have heard mixed reviews about its performance. It might work if you only plan on spraying paints explicitly designed for airbrushes. However, I often spray cheap acrylics, craft paints, and even house paint, which can have larger pigments that may clog smaller airbrushes. Remember that all paints are different; even different colors from the same brand can spray differently.

It's worth mentioning that airbrushing is a skill that requires practice to develop. It is not a magic solution that automatically gives you a beautiful finish. With enough practice, however, you can achieve great results with your airbrush.

 

What size needle do you use in your airbrush for painting toys?

Badger 155 Airbrushes

Shop my Etsy Store

Choosing the correct needle is essential to ensure you get the best results if you're planning on using an airbrush to paint your toys. The needle size will affect the flow of paint and the level of detail you can achieve.

I recommend using a larger needle size, such as 0.5mm or 0.7mm, for general spraying. These sizes will allow for a smooth flow of paint and will make it easier to cover larger areas. Some airbrush needles are labeled as Fine(F), Medium(M), or Heavy(H). For general spraying, I recommend using a Heavy(H) needle.

While you can use smaller needle sizes for more detailed work, you may need expensive airbrush paints to prevent clogging. I have never needed to use any smaller needle sizes when painting toys, but you may want to experiment with them to see what works best for you.

It's also worth noting that the type of airbrush you use will play a role in determining the best needle size. I prefer the Badger 155 Anthem airbrush, but many other options are available on the market. Experimenting with different airbrushes and needle sizes will help you find the best fit for your particular needs.

I recommend using a larger needle size, such as 0.5mm or 0.7mm, when painting toys with an airbrush. Larger needles allow for a smooth paint flow when spraying craft paints and make it easier to cover larger areas. However, smaller needle sizes may be necessary for more detailed work, and you may need to use expensive airbrush paints to achieve a smooth finish. Experimenting with different sizes and types will help you find the best fit for your needs.

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica

Handmade Wood Toy Cars and Trucks: Hot Rods and Monster Trucks

A collection of handmade wooden toy cars and trucks finished with amber shellac and trimmed with various bold colors. Each is carefully crafted by hand using a scroll saw, resulting in unique and beautifully detailed toys.

 

 

For Monster Trucks Click Here

For Hot Rods Click Here

These aren't your average store-bought toys - each is carefully crafted by hand using a scroll saw and finished with amber shellac.

The toy monster trucks in this collection are based on the pickup truck from the play pal collection and are cut from 2x4 pine. The cars are from the Hot Rod Freaky Ford Collection, featuring four 1932 Ford sedans, one 1932 Deuce Coupe, and four hot rods based on the 1927 Ford T-Coupe. I carefully cut the bodies for these cars from 2x4 stock using a scroll saw.

Why did I choose to use a scroll saw instead of a bandsaw for this project? While a bandsaw can undoubtedly get the job done, a scrollsaw cuts slower but produces a much better cut that requires much less sanding. As a woodworker, I would much rather spend my time cutting than sanding, and the scroll saw allows me to do just that. Plus, a scroll saw can make inside cuts like the windows in this car collection and make much tighter turns.

Overall, this batch of handmade wood toy cars and trucks was a labor of love, and the results are genuinely one-of-a-kind. The final touches of black, metallic purple, metallic emerald green, hot pink, and metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint make these toys stand out.

The Evolution of My Toy Maker's Shop Pegboards

Several versions of the peg board used in my shop are 3/4-inch plywood, 3/4-inch plywood with hardboard backing, lazy susan, and 3/4-MDF with hardboard backing.

 

As a toy maker, I rely on my pegboards for painting and finishing my toys. But over the years, I've learned that not all pegboards are created equal. In this post, I'd like to share my journey of experimenting with different materials and designs to find the perfect pegboard for my needs.

My first attempt at a pegboard was made from thin, narrow wood. While it looked nice, I quickly realized that the holes were spaced too far apart, and the wood needed to be heavier to prevent tipping when loaded with toy parts. So, I switched to 3/4-inch BC plywood and drilled the holes almost all the way through. The plywood worked better, but I still found that the board would tip if I tried to hang anything too heavy. It needed to be broader, heavier, and have deeper holes.

Next, I tried drilling through the plywood and gluing it on a hardboard back. This design provided more support and stability, but I needed a better solution. Eventually, I tried using 3/4-inch MDF and hardboard, my favorite combination. The MDF is flat, heavy, cheap, and easy to work with, making it the perfect material for my pegboard needs.

One of my pegboards is even mounted on a lazy susan so I can spin it around, though I have yet to find this particularly useful in my toy-making process. I plan to try some ideas I have later.

Overall, my journey with pegboards has taught me the importance of experimenting and finding suitable materials and designs for my specific needs. Whether you're a toy maker or any other type of DIY enthusiast, I hope that my experiences can serve as a helpful guide in your pegboard endeavors.

Note: I still use all but the first pegboard I made and have made several others for particular purposes.

Resawing Ornaments From Thick Stock An Alternative To Stack Cutting On The Scroll Saw

 

Resawing Ornaments From Thick Stock An Alternative To Stack Cutting

 

Resawing is a woodworking technique that involves cutting a piece of wood along its grain to create two or more thinner pieces. It is often used to create veneers or thinner pieces of wood for projects such as furniture making or ornamental work.

One alternative to stack cutting is to cut thick stock and resaw the cut piece to the desired thickness. Resawing can be more efficient and cost-effective, especially if you only need to cut a few pieces.

In the case of resawing ornaments from thick stock, the process involves cutting a single piece of wood into several thinner pieces that can then be sanded on a belt sander to remove undesired saw marks.

To successfully resaw ornaments from thick stock, it is essential to cut slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the saw blade, wood, or fingers. It may also be helpful to use a guide or jig to help keep the wood in place and prevent it from spinning as it is being cut.

While resawing ornaments from thick stock can be useful, it may only be suitable for some ornament designs, particularly those with round or curved shapes. In these cases, stack cutting or other methods may be more appropriate.

Overall, resawing ornaments from thick stock can be a valuable alternative to stack cutting, especially for those who only need to cut a few ornaments and are looking for a more efficient and cost-effective method. Just be sure to cut slowly and carefully, and use a guide or jig if needed to help keep the wood in place and prevent it from spinning.

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica

Testing My EX-21 Scroll Saw Aftter Aome Major Repairs

Christmas Tree Ornament Cut From Reclaimed Plywood

Ornamentsi In My Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?section_id=27235904

I recently had some significant problems with my scroll saw. I would up replacing the motor and the control board. The motor would randomly stop and finally quit for good. Leading up to this, it vibrated more and would break a #2 blade within seconds of starting the saw. I have been testing with  #2 blade since the repair.

These are cut from a piece of 1/8-inch thick reclaimed plywood I had on hand, with the idea that if they worked out OK, I would add them to my shop. That part could have worked out better. Looking closely at the photos, you can see several places where the veneer is coming off. And a few spots where the glue from the next layer is showing through.

They are dipped in a 50/50 solution of clear shellac as an experiment to see how well this works.

 

 

Wood Miniature Birdhouse Ornament, Handmade From Reclaimed Wood and Finished With Mineral Oil and Beeswax Collectable Christmas Tree Decor 912020017

 

Wood Miniature Birdhouse Ornament, Handmade From Reclaimed Wood and Finished With Mineral Oil and Beeswax Collectable Christmas Tree Decor

 

Buy Now: https://www.etsy.com/listing/912020017/

I made this miniature birdhouse Christmas tree ornament in my shop using traditional woodworking tools from reclaimed wood. I glued together small pieces of wood to create a lock of wood large enough to compound cut the ornament in three dimensions using a scroll saw. The ornament is finished with a custom blend of mineral oils and waxes that I apply hot for deep penetration and durability. This ornament could become a family heirloom. There are many styles of birdhouse ornaments available in my shop. Follow the link to see more.

Collectible Birdhouse Ornaments
https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?search_query=birdhouse

All my Christmas Listings
https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?section_id=27235904

My Shop Front Page:
https://odinstoyfactory.etsy.com

I make items by hand from natural wood and wood products. They can differ from one piece to the next. The one you receive may differ from the item in the listing photos. Wood thickness may vary slightly from the stated size.

 

 

 

 

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #christmas #madeinusa #madeinamerica