Odin's Toy Factory

My Etsy Shop  Hey everyone, welcome back to my little corner of the internet where I share my woodworking escapades. If you’re new here, I’m just a hobbyist tinkerer who loves turning bits of wood into something special – or at least trying to! Today, I wanted to walk you through a project that’s been keeping me busy in the shop: creating 1.5-inch blocks from random hardwood strips for birdhouse ornaments and other compound-cut scroll-saw pieces. It’s all about resourcefulness, a bit of elbow grease, and learning from those “never again” moments. I’ve put together a collage of photos from the process, so let’s dive in and break it down step by step. Starting with the glue-up phase – that’s where the magic (and the mess) begins. In the top-left photo, you’ll see me gluing up those strips of random hardwoods into sturdy 1.5-inch blocks. I had to whip up some custom cauls for this one: the flat pieces clamped on top and bottom to keep everything even while the glue sets. I coated the...

Order Your Peterdactyl In this behind-the-scenes photo from my workshop, I'm using a scroll saw to meticulously cut out the individual pieces for a handmade Pterodactyl figurine from oak hardwood. The main body showcases the sleek, curved silhouette of the prehistoric creature with cutouts for wings and details. Scattered around it are the detached components—wings, legs, and other elements—each carefully labeled with thickness measurements like 1/2", 3/4", 5/8", and 1 1/2" to ensure precise assembly later. The wood dust and the scroll saw highlight the hands-on craftsmanship that goes into every creation. If you're enchanted by this dino design but prefer to skip the DIY, fully assembled Pterodactyl figurines are available for purchase in my Etsy shop —perfect for collectors, kids' rooms, or anyone who loves a touch of whimsical paleo-art!  

Order a Peterdactyl Making a Peterdactyl figurine is a fun and rewarding project. Tools and materials I used. EX-21 scroll saw Printed Pterodactyl pattern 3/4-inch-thick wood for the body. Spray adhesive I used spray adhesive to attach the pterodactyl pattern directly to the wood. I use a Pegas #3MGT blade to cut the pterodactyl. This is by far my most-used scroll saw blade. As a rule, I drill any entry hole for interior cuts before cutting out the body.    

Shop Now For woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts! If you're like me, there's nothing quite as satisfying as turning a simple piece of wood into something functional and beautiful. Today, I'm sharing how I make a pair of intricate fretwork shelves made from 1/4-inch-thick oak, all cut using my scroll saw. These little gems are perfect for displaying small items. The process was a mix of precision cutting, careful assembly, and a bit of patience while waiting for the finish to dry. I'll walk you through the steps, complete with photos from my workshop. Let's dive in! Materials and Tools Here's a quick rundown of what I used: Wood: 1/4-inch-thick oak plywood Pattern: I prepared a flowing, ornamental fretwork pattern inspired by Victorian scrollwork – think swirls and flourishes for that elegant touch. Tools: Scroll saw with fine blades (I used #3MGT for the intricate cuts), clamps, wood glue, sandpaper (220-grit), and shellac. Preparing and Cutting the Pieces I started...

  Excalibur EX-21 Scroll Saw My Etsy Shop Avoid purchasing a saw that uses pinned blades. You will regret it. For me, the ease of use and speed of blade changes are paramount.   My saws: Excalibur EX-21 was purchased used a lot. I have completely rebuilt it.  Pegas 21-inch I bought used in like-new condition.   What I appreciate about these saws is that when they are properly aligned, no tension adjustment is necessary. You flip a lever to change the blade, then flip it back into place. This design tilts the blade instead of the table, which makes angled cuts easier to achieve. I have access to parts for both of these saws and have completely rebuilt the Excalibur EX-21.   The Harbor Freight Bauer scroll saw operates similarly to the EX-21/Pegas saws. The lift mechanism is different. It is the lowest-cost saw of all the saws mentioned here. Harbor Freight's in-store warranty is as good as it gets. If it breaks during the warranty period, you can return it to th...

My Etsy Shop I own two bandsaws and two scroll saws. For making toys, a scroll saw is much more useful than a band saw. In making toys, the only thing I have used my bandsaw for is resawing and rocking horses. Scroll saws cut smooth and require very little sanding. Scroll saws easily make inside cuts, something you can't do with a bandsaw. You can make bowls, baskets, puzzles, bandsaw boxes, and much more with a scroll saw. Woodworking Projects Fretwork : Intricate designs cut into thin wood, often used for decorative panels or overlays. Intarsia : Mosaic-like wood art where different wood pieces are cut and fitted together to create images or patterns. Marquetry : Similar to intarsia, but typically involves veneers to create detailed inlays for furniture or wall art. Puzzles : Wooden jigsaw puzzles with interlocking pieces, customizable in shape and complexity. Toys : Small wooden toys like cars, animals, or figures with smooth, detailed cuts. Ornaments : Holiday or decorati...

  Shop Etsy The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with personalized ornaments that add a unique touch to your festive décor? This year, I'm announcing the return of my personalized, handmade Christmas ornaments, featuring a selection that is sure to bring smiles to family and friends. Choose Your Favorite Style You can choose from a variety of enchanting designs, including: Santa in His Sleigh : Capture the magic of Santa’s journey with this whimsical ornament. Teddy Bear : Adorned with a classic Santa-style hat, this sweet bear is perfect for kids and the young at heart. Peace Dove : Symbolizing hope and goodwill, this dove carries a beautiful olive branch for a message of peace. Nativity Scene : This timeless depiction of the Christmas story serves as a lovely reminder of the season’s true meaning. Craftsmanship You Can Trust Each ornament is meticulously handcrafted from 1/4-inch thick maple hardwood plywood, ensuring not only beauty...

The wings, arms, and horns on this baby dragon were resawn from thicker wood on my Shopsmith table saw.   Buy This Dragon In My Etsy Shop Buy This Dragon At Odin's Toy Factory   A little while ago, I stumbled upon a fantastic way to save wood while working on my projects. Rather than resawing and planing thick piece, I began cutting out parts from thicker stock and then resawing the parts to the desired thickness. This technique started on my scroll saw with a zero clearance insert but soon transitioned to my band saw. My latest project was a dragon figurine, which presented a bit of a challenge. The parts were quite small, and the wood I had on hand was too short for my planer. To add to the dilemma, my bandsaw was acting up, so I decided to experiment with the table saw instead. Using a simple method, I attached the small part to a larger piece of wood with two-sided tape. Running it through the table saw slowly, I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. The cut was incredi...

Shop Etsy Shop Odin's Toy Factory There's something special about creating handmade items that hold a personal touch. Recently, I had the opportunity to create a unique piece that I'm sharing with you: my handmade wooden heart shelf, crafted from beautiful walnut wood.  Typically, I create these charming shelves from oak, known for its durability and beautiful grain. However, one of my customers had a specific vision in mind; she requested a shelf stained a particular color. As much as I appreciate a good stain, I prefer to work with the natural beauty of the wood. So, I presented an alternative: a heart shelf made from walnut. The result? A piece that showcases the rich, warm tones of the walnut, combined with the sweet charm of a heart-shaped design. The customer was thrilled, which truly made my day. I'm pleased to announce that you can now order these heart shelves in both walnut and oak. Whether you're looking for a unique way to display your trinkets, photos, ...

Shop Odin's Toy Factory   Welcome to my latest blog post! Today, I'm sharing the process of crafting a pair of oak fretwork shelves, which are now available in my Etsy shop. These shelves are more than just functional pieces; they are a testament to the beauty of skilled woodworking and the rich grain of oak.   Step 1: Preparation and Design The journey begins with a solid plan. I create a detailed template for the fretwork design, ensuring precision in every cut. This stage sets the foundation for the entire project.   Step 2: Cutting the Fretwork Next, I carefully cut out the design using my scroll saw. This process requires patience and attention to detail. You can see the intricate patterns coming to life as the saw navigates through the oak, leaving behind a stunning silhouette that will soon become a beautiful shelf.   Step 3: Assembly of Pieces Once all the pieces are cut, I arrange them on my workbench and dry-fit all of the pieces to see how they will come ...