20240703-111457 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Finished And Ready To Ship

 

My Dragon Collection 

 This photo showcases a handcrafted wooden dragon figurine meticulously crafted from contrasting hardwoods. The dragon features a striking combination of light and dark wood tones, with the body primarily made from a pale, natural wood, while the wings, legs, and tail are crafted from a rich, dark walnut. The smooth surfaces highlight the natural grain and color variations of the wood, giving the figurine a dynamic and visually appealing appearance. The dragon's design is both whimsical and detailed, with a friendly facial expression, curved wings, and sturdy legs, all accentuated by small inlaid dots along its body for added character.

The figurine is finished with a custom oil and wax blend, which enhances the wood's natural beauty and provides a protective coating. The photo captures the dragon in a workshop setting, surrounded by woodworking tools, paints, and finishes. The workspace, with its cluttered yet functional arrangement, suggests the ongoing process of creation and refinement, emphasizing the artisanal nature of this piece. The dragon stands proudly, ready to be admired as a unique piece of art or a cherished collectible.

20240703-074409 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Handmade Wooden Dragon Figurine: Fully assembled and ready for finishing touches.

 

My Dragon Collection 

 Each time I create a dragon, I adjust my process. The original design required holes to be drilled completely through the neck and tail, but I found this reduced the dragon's strength and increased the chance of breakage. Initially, I tried drilling shallow holes and filling them with plugs, but that solution was unsatisfactory. Eventually, I decided to drill all the way through and use hardwood dowels, which I glued into place, filling the holes. I then cut and sand the dowels flush with the surface. This method not only enhances the dragon's strength but also looks better than having drilled holes.

20240702-171234 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Clamping Using Pitsburg 4 in. Ratcheting Bar Clamp

 

My Dragon Collection

The clamps I use are Pitsburg brand from Harbor Freight, and they cost me $0.99 each. They work well for small items that don’t require a lot of clamping pressure, and I have quite a few of them. Before using new clamps, I like to apply Johnson's Paste Wax to prevent rust and make it easier to remove dried glue. However, when I waxed the very first of these clamps I purchased, I found that the wax caused it to slip. After cleaning off the wax with mineral spirits, the clamps worked well again. Now, if I encounter a clamp that is slipping, I simply clean it, and it usually works perfectly afterward.

20240702-171218 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Attaching The Legs

 My Dragon Collection

Attaching the final pair of legs to my dragon project was a delicate task. Precision is crucial to ensure the legs sit evenly; if not, the dragon will wobble. I used a paper template for the first pair of legs and one wing, guaranteeing their correct placement. Once the glue cured, I carefully aligned the other leg pair and wing to match. By clamping the first legs to a flat surface, I make adjustments until everything was perfectly even. It's all about attention to detail, and the satisfaction of seeing it come together is unmatched.

20240630-142914 Toymakers Shop - Dragon

 My Dragon Collection

When it comes to glue-ups, I have a clear favorite: f-clamps. These versatile tools offer a level of control that spring clamps simply can’t match. One of the biggest advantages of f-clamps is their adjustable pressure, which allows me to apply just the right amount for the materials I'm working with. This flexibility helps prevent damage to delicate pieces while ensuring a strong bond. Whether I'm working with wood or other materials, f-clamps make the glue-up process more manageable and efficient, giving me confidence in my projects.

20240630-141234 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Building Unbreakable Dragon Legs

My Dragon Collection

To create strong dragon legs, I glue together pieces of wood, allowing me to use thinner materials I have on hand. When using a single thickness of wood, it's important that the grain runs along the length of the legs. If the grain runs in the wrong direction, the legs can weaken and are more likely to break.

Constructing the legs with the grain aligned lengthwise can compromise the strength of the feet, making them more susceptible to damage. Instead, using two layers of wood with different grain patterns significantly helps prevent breakage. For even greater durability, incorporating a third layer of wood with cross-grain orientation in the center makes the legs nearly unbreakable.
 

20240630-114352 Toymakers Shop - Dragon - Making Toy Dragon Legs Stronger

 

My Dragon Collection

When crafting dragons, I've learned that having strong legs is essential to prevent breakage. To achieve this, I’ve found that gluing multiple layers of wood significantly strengthens the legs. However, the real strength comes from laminating layers of wood with different grain patterns. This technique greatly enhances durability. By combining these methods, my dragon creations will be much stronger and will last for many years.

Dragon In The Clamps

 

 

 

The Dragon is availble here

 It's a challenge to get the parts aligned and the feet level so the dragon will stand without rocking. I use the full-scale drawing you see under the dragon to align and attach a wing on one side. Once the glue has cured enough that the wing will not move, I do the same with two legs on the same side. I then align and glue the wings and legs in place. While this all sounds easy, I assure you it is not. The glue is slippery, and sometimes things will move. Slipping happens most often when the clamps are not perfectly aligned. If the wings are off a tiny amount, this is of no consequence, but if the legs move out of position, it can ruin the project, and I need to start over. 

Making A Dragon In My To Makers Shop 980709962

 

Completed wooden toy dragon ready to finish sitting on my Shopsmith belt sander table.

I make this dragon to order. This dragon is my latest build. You can order one of these dragons in my Goimagine Shop.

After collecting and cutting the wood to size, I attach the paper pattern to the wood and drill the required holes. I have learned that if I cut the body first and then drill the holes, and the bit catches, I can easily break the part.

The dragon's original design called for holes drilled through the neck, which was too weak. I now drill the holes 1/4 inch deep and pug them with contrasting wood that I cut and sand flush. Now, there are inlaid spots instead of holes, and the neck is much stronger.

After sanding the back so the pegs are flush, I cut out the body on my scroll saw.

This dragon's wings will be a different color from the legs. I am curious to know what kind of wood this is; it came from a box of cutoffs a friend gave me.

Cutting the legs for some 1/2" of dark hardwood is straightforward. This time, I tried some ipe wood. Using ipe turned out to be a mistake. Ipe is hard, oily, and tough on sawblades, but I didn't know I could not glue it with wood. I had to start over and make the legs from walnut. I glued pieces of 1/4-inch walnut together to make 1/2-inch wood. Laminating two pieces of wood together allowed me to use up some smaller pieces and made the legs stronger.

Before assembly, I sanded all of the parts three times. First, I sanded the flat surfaces with a belt sander. Next, I used a Mac Mop sander to remove the fuzzies and smooth the sharp corners. Finally, I used a sanding mop to finish sanding the pieces. Sometimes, a bit of touch-up sanding needs to be done by hand.

Now for the glue-up. The most challenging part of assembling a dragon is getting the parts aligned. If the legs are not aligned, the dragon will rock. I use an exact-size template and a straight piece of wood to align the parts, glue, and clamp them to one side, checking often to be sure nothing has moved. Once the glue has set, I glue it on the other side, but this time, I glue it aligned with the existing parts I previously glued on.

Once the glue is cured, the dragon is ready to finish.

The dragon's spots are hand-fitted, contrasting hardwood dowels cut to fit. Here, I am testing the fit.

 

 

After the plugs are glued and the glue has cured, I sand them flush on the back. A flat back is required to cut the body on my scrollsaw. The dowels on the front side will be sanded flush after removing the pattern.

I select the wood for the wings from my collection of cutoffs if there is a piece that will work. The wood does not have to be the perfect thickness. Close is good enough. If it is too thick, I will resaw it to get the proper thickness after cutting it on my scroll saw.

I cut the wings for the dragon on my scroll saw.

The wood selected for the dragon's legs is selected in the same manner as wood for the wings. For the legs, I had a piece of wood that was the correct thickness, so I cut them all from the same piece of wood.

For this dragon, I tried to use a piece of ipe for the wings. Ipe is a beautiful dark wood, but it is very hard and will rapidly dull saw blades. The scroll saw cut the wings, but these were thick, and when I tried to resaw them, I could not cut straight enough to get a usable piece from them. I ruined a bandsaw blade trying to resaw ipe.

Cutting a dragon leg on my scrollsaw.

I am using a paper template to ensure that the parts are all aligned correctly. Then, I clamp them until the glue has cured enough that the pieces will not move.

I use the first set of dragon wings, legs, and horns to align the second set. The challenge of the assembly is ensuring the legs are even so the dragon does not wobble.

 

Wooden Dragon Fantasy Animal Figurine Handmade In The USA And Finished With A Renewable Blend Of Mineral Oil And Waxes - 995174549

 

Order This Dragon

My Dragon Collection

As a woodworker and toy maker based in Tallahassee, Florida, I handcraft unique, high-quality wooden dragon figurines. Each dragon in my collection is carefully handmade using traditional woodworking tools and 100% premium hardwoods. To ensure durability and enhance the natural beauty of the wood, I finish each figurine with a unique blend of USP-grade mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax that I create in my shop.

When you purchase one of my wooden dragon figurines, you're not just getting a toy but a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Due to the natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots, each figurine is unique and may differ slightly from those pictured in the listing photos. These variations add to the character and charm of the figurine and should be expected as part of the handmade process.

I take pride in creating high-quality, durable products that showcase the natural beauty of wood. If you have any specific requests or concerns about the variations in wood appearance or size, please don't hesitate to contact me before placing your order. I'm dedicated to accommodating your requests to the best of my ability.

By choosing one of my handmade wooden dragon figurines, you're supporting a small business and bringing a piece of artistry and craftsmanship into your home. Thank you for considering my unique, handcrafted products made with care in the USA.

 

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica #goimagine

Wooden Baby Dragon Fantasy Mythical Animal Figurine Handmade From Select Grade Contrasting Hardwoods 710871463

 

Wood Baby Dragon Fantasy Animal Figurine One Of Ten Dragons In This Collection

• Buy This Dragon Figurine
• My Dragon Collection

Suppose you're a fan of fantasy animals and love collecting unique handmade figurines. In that case, you'll be thrilled about the latest addition to the collection - a wooden baby dragon fantasy animal figurine. This adorable figurine is made from select-grade contrasting hardwoods and finished with a custom blend of oils and waxes, ensuring its durability and longevity.

The attention to detail in this figurine is impeccable, and the contrasting hardwoods give it a truly unique look. It's a perfect gift for anyone who loves fantasy creatures or appreciates fine craftsmanship. The figurine is also a great addition to any collection, whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting.

The collection includes ten Dragons, out of which six are baby dragons. Each figurine is handmade with precision and care, making every piece unique. Select-grade hardwoods and a custom blend of oils and waxes ensure that the figures are beautiful, durable, and long-lasting.

Suppose you're looking for a unique gift for someone who loves fantasy creatures or wants to add a unique piece to your collection. The wood baby dragon fantasy animal figurine is worth considering in that case. It's a beautiful, hand-crafted piece that will be treasured for years.

https://odinstoyfactory.com/
#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica

Wooden Baby Dragon Mythical Fantasy Animal Figurine Handmade From Select Hardwoods 709897313

 

One Ten Dragons In This Series

Buy this Dragon

My Dragon Collection

If you're a fan of fantasy creatures and love to collect unique items, check out the wooden baby dragon figurines handmade by a skilled toymaker. These adorable creatures are crafted from select hardwoods and are finished with a blend of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.

Each dragon is created using traditional woodworking tools, and no two dragons are exactly alike due to natural variations in the wood. So, when you receive your very own baby dragon, you can be sure it is unique.

I take great pride in creating these dragons and ensure that each piece is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail. The dragons are beautiful to look at and durable and long-lasting, making them the perfect addition to any collection.

This collection includes ten dragons, among which there are six baby dragons. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting, these dragons will catch your eye.

If you want a wooden baby dragon figurine, click the link above to view what is available. These dragons make great gifts for anyone who loves fantasy creatures or unique handmade items. Take advantage of the chance to own a piece of magic and wonder with these beautiful wooden baby dragons.

 

 #odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica

Handmade Dragon Fantasy Animal Figurine Handmade And Finished From My Buddies Dragons Collection 980709962

 

Handmade Wood Dragon Fantasy Animal Toy Figurine Made From Select Grade Hardwoods and Finished with Oil and Bees Wax

Buy Now

A handmade wooden dragon I made in my shop using traditional woodworking tools from 100% select hardwoods and hand-finished with a blend of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax that I apply hot for deep penetration and durability.

I have made multiple dragons using the plans as a guide, but I noticed that the design could be enhanced. I made a few changes to improve its appearance and increase its durability. Instead of drilling decorative holes, I created inlays that look better and make the neck stronger.

Dragon Clock Christmas Gift My First Clock

I made two of these for Christmas gifts. It was the first time I ever made a clock.

I had initially intended to cut this from solid wood, but the only piece I had was not flat enough to cut on a scroll saw. Flattening the board would take at least 1/4-inch off the wood, and I didn't want it to be that thin, so I decided to cut it from 19mm Baltic Birch plywood. Plywood is a much better choice than solid because it will not break easily.

I bored the hole for the clock using a 2-3/8 Forstner bit as per the pattern instructions. I had never drilled a hole this size before. I had to drill with very light pressure to keep the drill press from stalling. At first, I thought the bit was slipping in the chuck; this was not the case. The drill press belt was slipping. I put as much tension o the belt as I could, and it would still slip. More tension helped, but it didn't stop them from slipping. My drill press has a link belt. Perhaps I should remove a link or two from the belts.

The next time I make one of these, I will try cutting the hole with my scroll saw. It does not have to be perfect, just close enough to hold the clock movement in place.

I don't have a Dragon Clock in my shop yet, but I plan to have one soon.
Check out the many other dragons I have there.

My Shop
http://odinstoyfactort.etsy.com

Made To Order Dragon With a Broken Neck

 

Wood Dragon Body With A Broken Neck From Drilling

Etsy Listing

https://www.etsy.com/listing/980709962/

Dragons

https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?search_query=Dragons

I usually drill all my holes before I cut out the parts, but this time, I had packed the patterns tight, and I decided to cut the dragon pard first and then drill the holes. After all, it is hardwood and much stronger than pine. Not drilling the holes first was a mistake. While drilling the largest hole, the drill bit caught for just a second and broke the dragon's neck. I will not be doing that again. Fortunately, I was making more than one this time and did not need to start over. I lost the time sent making that one body plus the cost of the wood. 

All the parts for one wood dragon. Four legs, two horns, and a pair of wings.

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica #dragons

Handmade Wood Dragon Made From Poplar and Walnut Hardwoods 981059690

 

Dragons:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?search_query=dragons

Dinosaurs:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?search_query=dinosaur

Toy Animals:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/odinstoyfactory?search_query=animal

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

A handmade wooden dragon I made from 100% premium hardwoods and all non-toxic materials. I finish with Butcher Block Conditioner made pure USP grade mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax. These are great gifts. Use them to decorate a child's room, nursery, office space, game room, or cake topper. Other sizes and colors may be available via custom orders.

Approximate Size:
Length: 8.25 inches
Height: 5 inches
Width: 1.75 Varies depending on the thickness of wood used.

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 be slightly different from the item in the listing photos. Wood thickness may vary slightly from the stated size.

Not for children under three years old or kids that are still chewing things. If the toy breaks, small parts may present a choking hazard. Small children should not play with this toy without adult supervision.

Custom orders are always welcome in my shop. Please contact me with your needs.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida USA

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica #dragons #Carving #Statue #Sculpture #Figurine #Figure