Odin's Toy Factory

2020-02-05

Drilling Holes For Internal Scroll Saw Cuts

To make internal cuts with a scroll saw, you need to drill access holes to insert the blade. These holes need to be square to the top of the piece. If the internal cut is large, you can drill them without a drill press using a handheld drill. As the internal cuts get smaller, you must drill the as near to vertical as possible. For me, this means I have to use a drill press or other device.

I started with a Dremel drill press and a Craftsman rotary tool. The Dremel drill press worked great for me until I started making larger projects where I could not drill holes where I needed them.

Dremel Drill Press Stand Craftsman Rotary Tool

My next tool was a small benchtop Central Machinery drill press. I bought this drill press because the chuck would fit the smallest bit I had at the time, and it was cheaper than buying a replacement chuck for my large floor standing press. Plus I was not too fond of the idea of changing the chuck when I needed to use larger bits. After a few years, I outgrew it. I had projects that it wasn't quite large enough for, and the keyless chuck drove me nuts. I almost needed three hands to get a bit installed. If I remember right, I paid about $30 for it at Harbor Freight on sale with a coupon. I used it for several years and sold it for $35.

Harbor Freight Central Machinery Drill Press Bench Top Drill Press

I purchased a Grizzly G7943 - 14" Heavy-Duty Benchtop Drill Press used that worked but needed some TLC. I refurbished the drill press and swapped out the chuck for one that would hold my tiny wire gauge size bits. I am happy with this setup, and it will be my goto for drilling my scroll saw projects. When I got it all set up as a test loaded up my smallest bit and drilled holes in a toothpick.

Grizzly G7943 Drill Press Being Refurbished

When I reach the point, if I ever do, where the 14-inch drill press will not work, I will use a router base with a Dremel. One of these:

Stewart MacDonald Precision Router Base

Veritas Plunge Base for Rotary Tools

I lean heavily toward the Lee Valley tool due to its versatility.

2020-01-28

The Best Way I Have Found To Paint Axel Pegs

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Axel Pegs In A Shop Made Drying Rack

For the cars I make, I always add a bit of color to the hubs. Through experimenting, I have discovered that when painting the axel pegs, dipping them in the paint produced the best results. Spraying even with an airbrush was too messy. When I used a brush, metallic paints would soak into the end grain and leave the metallics on the top. I would need to add a second coat after they dried to get the proper color.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Axel Pegs In A Shop Made Drying Rack

When dipping, I put a few drops of paint on a pallet and dip the end of the peg into the paint just far enough to cover the hub and hold it there long enough for the paint to soak in. The result is one coat of paint and a lot less work. The pegs do usually need to cure overnight.

This method also works for dowels when I use dowels for axels.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Axel Dowels In A Shop Made Drying Rack

2020-01-17

Etsy Listing Sold Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan 572756559

Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan, Finished Non-Toxic Amber Shellac With Grey And Black Acrylic Paint Trim

I only made one with this color scheme, but you can request I make more by making a restocking request or custom order. I have several more sedans in the shop, all with different color schemes.

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Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan, Finished Non-Toxic Amber Shellac With Grey And Black Acrylic Paint Trim

A handmade wooden toy car or model for kids or adults. Sturdy, durable, and made for play. A unique gift for a vintage Hot Rod lover makes excellent man cave decor or use them to decorate a kids room, nursery, home, or office space. I make these toys from solid wood that I carefully hand fit and finish for the best quality I can produce.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan, Finished Non-Toxic Amber Shellac With Grey And Black Acrylic Paint Trim

AddHandmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan, Finished Non-Toxic Amber Shellac With Grey And Black Acrylic Paint Trim caption

Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Hot Rod Classic 1932 Sedan, Finished Non-Toxic Amber Shellac With Grey And Black Acrylic Paint Trim

2020-01-08

Etsy Shop Listing - Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size 754650914

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

This toy car is part of a series of small "Play Pal" size toy vehicles I am making. The idea is to have a lot of smaller toys that will be more attractive to customers that don't have room for larger toys. There are a few of these around, but they are all the same basic design. I am trying to think outside the box and make some unique, high-quality toys that will be different and stand out in the crowd.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

I made this little wood car from a decorative design that had no wheels. I enlarged the pattern to fit the size of the 3/4-inch wheels and compatible with the commonly available Play Pal Series.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

It would be straightforward to convert this toy to a Christmas ornament. All one would need to do is find the balance point and add a hanger. I think these would look great on a Christmas Tree.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

One of the very nice things for me as a toymaker is the ease that I can resize these. I can make them in any size that is required. Another is that it lets me use up the large amount of the small wood pieces I always seem to accumulate.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

This design begs for contrasting colored wood. Maple and walnut are the first things that come to mind, but there are many other possibilities, including baking the wood to make it darker.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

Colors, kids love the colors. Almost any color you can imagine is available in acrylic paint. My local paint supplier can custom mix paint to match. Then there are dyes designed especially for dying wood.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

Personalized toys are possible on a somewhat primitive level. I am planning to get an engraver to do the personalization with in the next year. The problem with doing the personalization by hand is that there is a chance of ruining the toy. If a customer asks for customization, I will usually do it, but I'm not comfortable enough with the process to offer it as an option yet.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

Custom orders are always welcome in my Etsy shop. Some of my best sellers came from customer requests. If you have an idea for something I can make for you, please contact me.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

I handcraft all my toys from 100% childsafe materials. I sand the car smooth and round over all of the edges. I finish the car body with a finish I make from beeswax, mineral oil, and Vitamin E. The same as you would use on your cutting board or butcher block countertop. This finish will not turn rancid like many oils. If the toy needs refinishing, you can use cutting board oil, mineral oil, or even baby oil.

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

Approximate Size:
Length: 3 inches/76mm
Height: 2.25 inches/57mm
Width: 1.25 inches/32mm

Handmade Wooden Toy Car Itty Bitty Mini Vintage Model-T Play Pal Pocket Car Size

Not suitable for children under three years old without adult supervision. They have small parts that could be broken off and present a choking hazard.