Blog Archive

2024-07-21

Wooden Toy Truck Martin Motors Antique Car Carrier Build Part 20

Handmade Wooden Car Carrier Puzzle Truck Under A Christmas Tree
Handmade Wooden Car Carrier Puzzle Truck Under A Christmas Tree


 Click here to order.

I make wooden toy car carriers and three cars in my workshop using traditional tools. Each piece is finished by hand with clear shellac, and the wheels are covered with non-marring amber shellac and blue acrylic paint. All the materials I use are safe and not harmful.

These items are handmade using natural wood and wood products. They are unique and might look different from the pictures. The wood's thickness may also vary slightly.

Please note that the differences in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece unique and add to its character. These variations should be expected and are not defects. If you have any concerns about the variations or want a specific look or size, please contact me before placing your order.

These items are made in Tallahassee, Florida, USA.I craft this wooden toy car carrier and three cars in my toymaker's shop, using traditional woodworking tools and techniques. Each piece is hand-finished with clear shellac, and the wheels are coated with non-marring amber shellac, accented with metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint. The materials used in making these toys are all non-toxic.

All the items I create are handmade using natural wood and wood products. Each piece is unique and may vary in appearance from one item to the next. The item you receive may differ slightly from the item pictured in the listing photos. The thickness of the wood used in your item may also vary slightly from the size specified in the listing.

It's important to note that the natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece one-of-a-kind and add to the item's character and charm. The variations should be expected and are not considered defects. If you have any concerns about the variations or would like to request a specific look or size, please contact me before placing your order, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA

What Speed Do I Need To Use When Cutting With My Scroll Saw

 

Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaur Cut On My Scroll Saw

My Dinosaur Collection

From Steve Good Blog Post Edited grammar and punctuation,
https://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2024/05/welcome-gnome-scroll-saw-pattern.html

Another similar question concerns setting the speed on a variable-speed scroll saw. When I get a new saw, I determine the maximum speed at which the saw cuts without too much vibration. This is often just slightly below full speed. I run at that maximum speed unless I cut fragile wood, 1/8" or thinner. The thin wood gives little resistance to the blade, making it easy to make misscuts. If that is what I am cutting, I do one of two things: slow the saw's speed down or stack cuts to add resistance.

None of the above advice is an unbreakable rule. Saws are different, people get a different feel from the cuts, and blades are different. My best advice to a new scroller is to try different techniques and use what feels best. You'll learn which blades work best for various cuts, wood, and patterns with practice and experimentation. Remember to take your time, be patient, and enjoy the process!

Choosing the Right Blade for Your Scroll Saw

 

Handmade Wooden Toy Dinosaur Figurine On My Scroll Saw

See my dinosaurs here.

 This is the best description I have seen for selecting a scroll saw blade.

From Steve Good Blog Post Edited grammer and punctuation,
https://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2024/05/welcome-gnome-scroll-saw-pattern.html

If you're new to scroll sawing, you may wonder which blade to use for different wood or cuts. While there are general guidelines, the truth is that different saws, blades, and people have different preferences and skills. As an experienced scroller, I can tell you what works for me and offer some tips that may help you get started.

First of all, I rarely choose a blade for the wood. Instead, I select the blade based on the pattern I'm cutting. If the pattern has small interior cuts, I use a #3 or whatever blade I need to get into the small holes. It will cut slowly, but it will cut accurately. When you see people talking about using a #9 blade to cut thicker or harder wood or a #3 for thinner or softer wood, they are talking about the efficiency of the cut. A #9 blade will cut thicker, harder wood faster and break fewer blades, but if the #9 blade won't allow you to get into the interior hole or make the tight turns, it does not work. As a scroller, I care about making accurate cuts, even if they are slow.

I use a #5 scroll reverse or a #3 scroll reverse 95% of the time. Occasionally, if I have a rough cut, I grab a larger blade. I own a lot of blades, and many only get used if I run into a special project.

Some materials require special blades. Metal and Corian are two that come to mind. When cutting metal, you need a blade specifically designed for that purpose. Corian is a type of solid surface material that is very dense and abrasive. You need a blade that can handle the wear and tear of cutting Corian without breaking or dulling too quickly.



2024-07-20

Making A Dragon In My To Makers Shop 980709962

 

Completed Handmade Wooden Dragon Ready To Be Finished
Completed wooden toy dragon ready to finish sitting on my Shopsmith belt sander table.

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My Dragon Collection

I make this dragon to order. This dragon is my latest build. You can order one of these dragons in my Etsy 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.
The dragon's spots are hand-fitted, contrasting hardwood dowels cut to fit. Here, I am testing the fit.
 
The handmade wooden dragon body is being cut on my scroll saw.
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.

The handmade wooden dragon wing patterns are applied to a hand-selected piece of wood.
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.

The handmade wooden dragon wings are cut on my scroll saw.
I cut the wings for the dragon on my scroll saw.

The handmade wooden dragon wings are cut 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.

Handmade wooden dragon wing patterns on a piece of ipe.
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.
Cutting a dragon leg on my scrollsaw.

Handmade wooden dragon being glued and clamped.
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.

Handmade wooden dragon being glued and clamped.
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.

 

2024-06-05

Wooden Toy Pickup Truck Painted Bright Blue With Metallic Sapphire Blue Trim - 839752993

A handmade wooden toy pickup truck painted with bright blue and metallic sapphire blue paint. The wheels are finished with non-marring amber shellac. This toy is part of my Play Pal Collection.

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My Play Pal Collection

My Toy Truck Collection

 

This handmade toy truck is crafted with care using traditional woodworking tools and painted with a translucent bright blue acrylic finish, allowing the natural wood grain to show through. The wheels are finished with non-marring amber shellac, and the axle hubs are painted with metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint.

 

Approximate Dimensions:

Length: 3-1/2 inches

Height: 1-3/8 inches

Width: 1-1/2 inches

Wheels: 3/4 inch diameter

 

The Play Pal Collection features a variety of toys in different colors and versions, so there's something for every child. Each piece is handmade using natural wood and wood products, making every item unique. That means that the item you receive may vary slightly from the one pictured, but that's the beauty of handmade items - each one is one-of-a-kind. The natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots are not defects but add character and charm to each piece. 

 

If you have any specific requests or concerns about the variations, please contact me before placing your order. I'm happy to accommodate your requests to ensure you get the perfect toy.

 

Check out the link to see what's currently available in the Play Pal Collection.

 

Handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA


2024-05-29

Handmade Wooden Dinosaur Pterodactyl Figurine Handmade and Finished From My Buddies Dinos Collection - 655979018

Wooden toy dinosaur pterodactyl figurine handmade and finished with a custome blend mineral oil and beeswax from my Buddies Dinos Collection.

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My Dinosaur Collection

Welcome to my shop, where I handcrafted this unique Pterodactyl dinosaur figurine from carefully selected hardwoods using traditional woodworking tools.

Approximate Dimensions:
Length: 6-5/8 inches
Height: 4 inches

I use a custom blend of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax to give each figurine a smooth, durable, renewable, and natural finish that enhances the beauty of the wood.

Because working with natural wood is unique, every dinosaur I create is one-of-a-kind. The item you receive may vary slightly from the one pictured in the photos, but that's the beauty of it. The natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots add to the character and charm of each piece, making it truly special.

I take great pride in creating these handmade treasures in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have a specific wood preference or want a custom order. I'll do my best to accommodate your request and ensure that your handmade wooden dinosaur pterodactyl figurine is everything you've ever dreamed of.

Thank you for considering my handmade toy dinosaurs for your collection. I hope they bring you and your loved ones as much joy as they do to me. Let's keep the magic of handmade craftsmanship alive!

 

2024-05-28

Wooden Toddlers Puzzle Black Kitten - A Simple Two Piece Tray Puzzle Handmade and Painted From My Puzzle Pals Collection - 645535259

 

Handmade wooden two-piece tray puzzle toy puzzle black kitten, cat made from select grade hardwood, and hand painted. Puzzle from the Puzzle Pals Collection.

Buy This Puzzle Today

 

This adorable wooden puzzle features a playful black kitten crafted from select-grade hardwood. Each piece is hand-painted with colorful acrylic paint and finished with a coat of shellac for durability.

 

Approximate Size:
Height: 3.5 inches
Width: 3.5 inches
Thickness: 0.75 inch

 

I take pride in creating high-quality and engaging toys for little ones, and this cat puzzle is no exception. Its four-piece tray design makes it easy to assemble and store, and the pieces are painted on only one side to assist with matching. Perfect for little ones just starting to explore the world of puzzles, this cat puzzle can also be used as a freestanding stacking toy, providing fun and developmental benefits.

 

At my workshop in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, I carefully assemble and test each toy to ensure the highest quality. It's important to note that all my items are handmade using natural wood and wood products, so each piece is unique and may vary in appearance from one item to the next. The natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots make each piece one-of-a-kind and add to the item's character and charm.

 

The item you receive may differ slightly from the item pictured in the listing photos. If you have any concerns about the variations or would like to request a specific look or size, please don't hesitate to contact me before placing your order, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

 

So, if you're looking for a beautifully crafted and engaging puzzle toy for your little one or as a thoughtful gift, check out the Wooden Toddlers Puzzle Black Kitten and the other delightful puzzles in my Puzzle Pals Collection. I hope these toys bring as much joy to your little ones.