Wooden Toy Monster Truck Handmade And Finished From My Play Pal Collection - 504683510

 

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• My Play Pal Collection

Handmade using traditional woodworking tools and crafted from three layers of laminated hardwood, this toy truck is built to last and finished with amber shellac and metallic sapphire blue acrylic paint. This truck is based on the pickup truck in my Play Pal collection. It is stylish and rugged, able to withstand even the roughest play.

Approximate Size:

• Length: 3-1/2 Inches
• Width: 3 inches
• Height: 2 Inches
• Wheel Diameter: 1.5 Inches

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

 

Wooden Toy Car Hot Rod 1927 T-Bucket Handmade and Painted with Pink, Metallic Sapphire Blue, and Black Acrylic Paint - 482831590

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My Hot Rod Collection 

A handmade wood toy 1927 T-bucket Hot Rod car painted with Hot Pink, Metallic Sapphire Blue, and Black Acrylic paint with the wheels finished with nonmarring Amber Shellac.

Approximate Size:

• Length: 6 inches
• Height: 3 inches
• Width: 2.5 Inches

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

WoodenToy Car Hot Rod 32 Sedan Handmade and Painted with Pink Metallic Sapphire Blue Black Acrylic Paint and Amber Shellac

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Welcome to my Toymaker's Shop, where I use traditional tools to handcraft wooden Hot Rods inspired by classic car designs. This Hot Rod is hand-painted with a combination of Pink, Metallic Sapphire Blue, and Black accents, and its wheels are finished with non-marking Amber Shellac. It's a smooth little racer that's ready for endless adventures! Before hitting the road, each car is carefully tested to ensure hours of fun and imaginative play for little motorheads (ages 3+). If you'd like to give this unique, handmade gift a loving home, you can order yours today!

Approximate Size:

- Length: 6 inches

- Height: 3 inches

- Width: 2.5 inches

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. These 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

Handmade Wooden Toy Monster Pickup Truck From My Play Pal Collection A Unique One Of A Kind Toy - 481373246

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This exceptional toy is handmade with care and attention to detail in my toymaker's shop using traditional woodworking tools. The hardwood construction makes it durable and able to withstand rough play, while the amber shellac and metallic green acrylic paint give it a unique and stylish look. These trucks are built for play, can roll easily on any surface, and even do backflips with some practice. Each toy is assembled and tested carefully to ensure the highest quality.

The approximate size of the Toy Monster Truck is as follows:
- Length: 3-1/2 Inches
- Width: 3 inches
- Height: 2 Inches
- Wheel Diameter: 1.5 Inches

It's important to note that each item is handmade using natural wood and wood products, so 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. Additionally, the thickness of the wood used in your item may also vary slightly from the size specified in the listing.

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. These 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, it's best to contact the toymaker before placing your order, and they will do their best to accommodate your request.

This amazing Toy Monster Truck is handmade in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. If you're looking for a unique and high-quality toy, look no further!

 

Testing Scroll Saw Blades For Cutting 2x Construction Lumber

 

12 Wooden Truck Bodies Cut From 2x Construction Lumber

 

Custom Orders Available Here

I am working on a custom order for a batch of toy trucks that I cut from 2x construction lumber. I usually only make things from construction lumber one at a time. Still, this time, I am making twelve trucks all the same, and this was an excellent opportunity to experiment.

If you have ever cut 2x construction lumber on a scroll saw, you know this stuff can be a pain to work with. Hard and soft grain, hidden knots, pitch pockets, and other defects are common. It is a challenging wood to scroll. I could use a band saw for this, but I prefer to cut slower and get a smoother cut. Less sanding is the goal.

I have been scrolling for years and acquired a considerable collection of blades, including Olson, Flying Dutchman, Pagas, and several others whose sources I no longer know are in my blade collection. I used a variety of these blades in the test. I started with Pegas #3MGT because that was already in the saw. I tried #5, #7, and #12 blades from each of the brands I have on hand and included one Olson Thick Wood Hook Tooth blade designed for cutting thick wood. Some blades had reverse teeth, and some didn't.

All of the blades worked, but the difference between cutting 2x construction lumber was dramatic. Olson, Flying Dutchman, and the unknown blades cut poorly and were only suitable for cutting one truck body before they were dull. There was considerable jumping, which I assume is caused by the blade failing to clear the sawdust well. Each time there was a jump, a mark was left on the wood that must be sanded out. A couple of the blades left some burn marks on the not-so-sharp turns.

The Pegas blades dramatically outperformed the others, so much so that it was not even a contest. The used Pegas #3MGT cut slowly, but there was no burning or jumping, and the cuts were smooth and square. I cut the last two trucks with a Pegas #12MGT. The results were surprising: not only did it cut very well, but it cut even faster than the Olsen Thick Wood blades. There was no burning, no jumping, and after cutting two truck bodies, it was still cutting well enough to cut one or two more trucks. The difference was so dramatic that when I left the shop, I thought that I should get rid of all my non-Pegas blades.

Only one of the blades broke: the Olson Thick Wood Hook Tooth blade broke while cutting one of the straight sections. This seems a little odd since it is by far the largest blade I have, larger than 1/16 inch.

Notes on Toy Finishes

You can see some of my toys here.

 I am not an expert in finishing. These notes are based on my years of learning.

All paints and finishes sold in the US are considered nontoxic when fully cured. When something is dry, you can touch it without getting paint on your fingers. But when it's cured, all the volatiles have dissipated, and the finish has hardened. A finish can take hours, days, or weeks to cure fully.

Nontoxic doesn't mean you should eat it or that there is no long-term harm if you do. It simply means it won't send you to the emergency room if ingested.

For an easy, clear finish, you can use butcher block conditioner, a combination of mineral oil and wax. Many toy makers use a mineral oil and beeswax blend for a simple, fast finish. However, there is no cure time, and it is not a durable finish.

Polyurethane is an excellent finish that adds a slight amber tint and enhances the wood grain. However, it takes a long time to cure, typically two weeks or more, and requires sanding between coats. I do not recommend using water-based polyurethane.

I recommend acrylic paints for color. Most craft paint brands will work well for painting toys. I sometimes use house paint for certain projects. Flat colors dry fast, with a cure time of 12-24 hours for me. Multiple coats are often needed for some colors, with light sanding between coats. Some colors, such as yellow and orange, require a white base and take multiple coats. You can get acrylic paint in gloss; I rarely use it because the cure time is much longer than flat paint.

To add sheen to flat paint, I apply paste wax and buff it with a soft cotton cloth. For a glossy finish, I use Pledge Revive It Floor Gloss on top, which is clear acrylic. Many clear coatings are also available in aerosol cans, but I don't use these.

Shellac is another excellent finish option. It cures very fast and allows for recoating within minutes. It has been used for centuries to finish furniture and is approved for food use. Shellac can be tricky to work with and requires Scotch Brite abrasive pads or 0000 steel wool instead of sandpaper. Power sanders will melt the shellac and gum up your sandpaper. Shellac can be applied by spraying, brushing, or dipping.

Powered Sanders I Use For Making Toys And Scroll Saw Projects

Klingspor Sanding Mop Mounted On A Drill Press

 

See my shop here.

• Shopsmith 6" Belt Sander - Useful for curved edges and flat surfaces that I want to remove material quickly. The best tool I have for sanding wheels to size.
• Shopsmith Disc Sander - Sometimes used for making wheels. Although this is not a powered operation, these are use full for sanding small flat parts.
  
• Delta 1" belt sander - It does a great job on outside edges and can be used for some inside curves. I also have the Shopsmith version, which does the same thing and lets me do inside sanding. 
• Klingspor Sanding Mop - Expensive, but worth the cost. Removes most fuzzies and leaves a silky smooth surface.
• Klingspor Mac Mop - Similar to a sanding mop but a bit more aggressive. 
• Ridgid Spindle Sander - Great for sanding inside curves as small as a 1/2 inch radius. It also has an oscillating belt sander. 
• Random Orbital Sanders - I use these for sanding flat surfaces, such as prepping wood for the scroll saw and sanding puzzles. I have four sanders, one Hitachi, and three Bauer random orbit sanders. I have this many sanders, so I don't have to change the sandpaper for each grit. I have the Bauer sanders because the dut port is round.
• Quarter Sheet Palm Sander - I only have this because I have a huge stack of 80-grit sandpaper that fits this. I would not recommend buying one.
• Grizzly Flex Shaft Rotary Tool - I use this with an assortment of drum and flap sanders for sanding inside curves. You can do this with a held rotary tool like a Dremel, but this is lots better. If it ever dies, I will probably buy a Foredom. 

When it comes to woodworking, using power sanding tools is a huge time-saver and can make the job much easier. However, it's crucial to remember that there will come a point where hand sanding is necessary for certain tasks.

Even though power sanders are efficient and fast, they are not always able to achieve the level of precision and smoothness that hand sanding can. When it comes to creating high-quality wood projects, especially intricate ones like toys, hand sanding is an essential step.

I've found that to truly ensure a top-notch finish and texture, incorporating hand sanding into the process is a must. It allows for more control and precision, resulting in a polished final product that's both visually appealing and safe for handling.

So, while power sanding tools are incredibly useful and time-saving, don't forget the importance of hand sanding when it comes to the finer details of your woodworking projects. Em
bracing this technique will undoubtedly elevate the quality of your creations.These are only the power sanding tools. At some point, you will need to resort to hand sanding. To make a quality toy, you must hand sand.