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.

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 the shop and via custom orders. If there is a pattern available for it I can make it.

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

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 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Front View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side/Front View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left Side View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Left/Re

ar View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right/Rear View

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Right Side Top Showing the Bed Detail

Etsy Listing 691678874 - Handmade Wooden Toy Truck Lumber Truck Rear Top Showing the Bed Detail

Etsy Listing - 482847326 - Handcrafted Wooden Toy Tow Truck From The Quick N Easy 5 Truck Fleet

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 flat on the surface.

The hook needs to be made from something substantial. I used plywood. Baltic birch would work well for this if you have it. I have also used solid hardwoods. For these easily breakable parts, I have have been experimenting with making my own plywood. Three layers of oak will make a surprisingly strong part. Much stronger than solid wood or any plywood that I have access to.

I made the truck body from a pine 2x4. I had to shrink the pattern about 1/4 inch to get it to fit without the rounded corners. A 2x6 would work better for this.

MDF would work well for the truck body, but it would add additional weight and need to be glued up from 3/4 stock.

You could use plywood for the body. However, I would not do this. Even the best plywood I can get hold of splinters to easy and the edges are hard to sand due to the glue between the layers.

The finish is hand brushed amber shellac with a little red acrylic paint on the hubs.

The approximate dimensions are:

Length: 8 inches
Height: 3.5 inches
Total Width: 3 inches
Body Thickness: 1.5 inches

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Handmade Wooden Toy Tow Truck From the Quick N' Easy 5 Truck Fleet

Toy Makers Shop - What Kind Of Primer Do You Use For Toys?

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 other primers available, but none of them work as well for me as Zinsser B-I-N. All of my sanding after the first coat of primer goes on is done by hand. Not being able to use a power sander is not a big deal.

Do you drill axle holes before or after painting?

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 insert dowels into the axle holes to provide a grip to use while painting. If I drilled after painting, I would need to develop a new painting technique.

I sometimes make toys that are drilled to accept peg dolls. I usually drill these after they are painted. I find that they are difficult to get straight if I drill them before the car is assembled. I find painting inside the holes to cause swelling of the wood that will sometimes cause the peg dolls to fit tight. Besides, I like the way it looks with the raw wood exposed in the hole. I use tape such as painters tape to help keep the paint from chipping. Go slow and careful with a sharp bit and you with get a clean, sharp edge.

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.

Witch On A Broom - Not Just For Halloween

I'm writing this in March 2019. I just sold another witch on a broom. Either they are getting used for something else, or some folks celebrate Halloween all year round.

I originally made these for toys for my Grandson who loves anything to do with Halloween. To him they are toys. He builds castles and haunted houses out of blocks for them.

The witches are part of a set of pieces all having to do with Halloween. Skulls, skeletons, cats, jack-o-lanterns, bats, and spiders. Some local friends saw them and wanted their own set. I made enough for my Etsy store, and the witches have become some of my best sellers.

Handmade Wooden Witch Cutout/Toy

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica #halloween #cutout #witch #broom

Here There Be Dragons - Clamping & Glueing Handmade Toy Dragon

I have just started making dragons. They are pretty simple to assemble, but gluing and clamping can be a challenge. You need to get the legs lined up correctly so the toy dragon will stand like they should. The parts always want to move around.

Handmade Wooden Toy Baby Dragon in the Clamps

Handmade Wooden Toy Baby Dragon Completed

I use Titebond No-Run, No-Drip Wood Glue for this. This glue dries clear, sets up fast, and doesn't seem to move around asmuch.

Titebond No-Run, No-Drip Wood Glue

I prefer to use my Dewalt DWHT83191 4-1/2" Small Trigger Clamps for clamping. They deliver more than enough pressure and the one hand operation eases clamping.

Dewalt DWHT83191 4-1/2" Small Trigger Clamp

Spring clamps are fast but difficult to get aligned and the pressure isn't adjustable.

Dewalt DWHT83191 4-1/2" Small Trigger Clamp

I have some small F-Clamps but these almost require three hands. I'm not a big fan of these clamps they are the right size for many job but they will slip. I have had new ones that would not hold. Bessy has replaced some of them but it is a huge pain to get them to do it. If you buy these look them over closely and test them by clamping something tight. Wiggle them around to see if they come loose. In many cases they will not clamp at all.

Bessey 4x2-inch Bar Clamp LM2-004

I also have some Irwin Quick-Grip Micro Bar Clamps. These have prroved to be to light to provide the proper pressure needed to squeeze the glue joints down tight. They are good for other things but not for clamping legs on dragons.

Irwin Quick-Grip Micro Bar Clamp