Odin's Toy Factory

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'

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 templat

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

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

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet This version of the toy tow truck is made from a solid pine wood block. While it appears relatively simple. However, some of the parts are a bit tricky to pull off. Making the opening for the hook must be done before cutting the body from the wood. Care must be used to get it all aligned properly, or the hook will be off centered or crooked. Getting the window shape correct is essential. I could just drill a round hole, but that would change the entire look of the toy. I like to avoid round holes when possible. This version uses axle pins. I like the look of them on toy trucks. However, it is critical that the axle holes be drill parallel to the bottom edge of the body so all the wheels will sit level on the surface.  If you are using a handheld drill, you should use dowels for axels. When using dowels, there is a bit of wiggle room so if the holes are off just a tiny bit the wheels will still sit

I have tried many kinds of primer and nothing works as well as a shellac based primer.  Zinsser B-I-N It seals the wood so nothing bleeds through and you clean up with alcohol. No super toxic fumes. It sprays and brushes well. I reapply the primer and sand until it feels smooth.   For lighter colors, yellow for example, you need to use a white base coat or primer. Zinsser B-I-N primer bright white. Ot makes the xolors pop. All of the white parts on this car are Zinsser B-I-N primer with a clear coat on top. Note how the white background of my photo tent looks grey by comparison. 20141213-165701 Handmade Wooden Toy Car Bad Bob's Custom Motors Coupe Blue & White 653434064 The primer needs to be sandable. You may need to try some primers.  The first primer I tried didn't sand well at all. Shellac isn't the most sandable finish around. If it gets to hot it can melt and gum up your sandpaper. This means hand sanding with light pressure only.  There are many ot

Drilling Hook Clearance  For A Handmade Wooden Tow Truck  I usually like to drill before I cut the pattern on my scroll saw, but there are plenty of exceptions. I can while the wood is square and easy to handle. The hole in the photo would be nearly impossible to drill after the truck body had been cut. If I cut before drilling, I find that holes near the edge can tear out easily. Such tear out is not easily repairable and the toy ruined. When using axle pegs, I drill first and ream the holes to exact size with a drill after I'm finished painting. This clears the holes of paint and removes any swelling in the wood cause from using water-based acrylic paint. Sometimes the paint will get chipped around the holes but since they are behind the wheels where you can't see. It's not a big deal. For regular axles that go all the way through it doesn't matter much since the hole are a good bit larger than the axle. For lighter toys, I use dowels for handles.  I inse