Thread: Alphabet Blocks

G'Day Martin,
I'm sorry but I can't help though would love to know the answer to your questions.
Thank you for asking.
Cheers, crowie

Well, a bit of research on the web shows that the American toy maker John Michael Linck has a few different woods that he uses. This page details the wood that he uses and their characteristics.

It's US-centric but from looking at his page it would seem the best bet for my blocks (and the ones he uses for his blocks) are black cherry, red oak and walnut.

A bit of Googling has turned up a place called Britton Timbers which has all the above species listed as available but no mention of price or dimensions. I might give them a call tomorrow.

I'd like to add my sixpennys worth. One of my concerns with using 'heavy' timbers like those mentioned is the disadvantage of them becoming a 'destructive missiles' if the user spits the dummy and throws the block at anything - another child, furniture etc. I would have thought a compromise between a softer but durable timber would be a better option. I don't mean balsa. It doesn't matter whether the timber is hard or soft it is the finish not the actual core timber that has to withstand the ravages of use.

Whitewood

I would suggest a softwood, as it's not as heavy as a hardwood, and little hands and teeth would find it easier. I would also suggest routing the letters rather than painting them. Tactile surfaces are great things for little people to explore. Obviously, all edges and corners need to be rounded.

To Whitewood: That's a good point about heavy blocks making heavier missiles. The comment about the wood being less important if the blocks are varnished also makes sense.

To sjm: I initially thought of carving/routing the letters but decided against it given the level of my routing skills.


Maybe the most appropriate choice (if I'm varnishing) is just pine after all...

Nothing wrong with pine for this job, soft and reasonably light, not the best for routing though due to its tendency to tear but with a little care and sharp bit is not too difficult and would last forever.

Thanks to all for the advice.

I am going to go with pine and I am about to start testing a few things out on the decoupage side of things.

I am happy to do this "project" as a WIP if people are interested. (Yes, I know making a set of wooden blocks is hardly rocket science, but still....!)

i would go for pine myself,,but for a final finish i would use shellac,,its non toxic,,the little buggers will eat anything,,regards dan

Pine is edible. 500 thousand billion Mountain Pine Beetles here in British Columbia can't be wrong.
I'd prefer to see the blocks enjoyed and worn through use that on a shelf with a mirror finish.

Hi Martin,

Word of caution I am only new to this woodworking game. All I have ever made is a bed, as a first project, and now a few toys.

That said, I am in the process of finishing a cart with blocks in it for my grandaughter.

I used Pine for the blocks, mainly because of the lightness of the blocks for little one year old hands.

Paint - research for this took many many hours. First up I ordered Livos paints. Tried them out and they were dull looking colours and went on terribly, sort of wishy washy.

More research and I came up with Ecolour of Byron Bay www.ecolour.com.au. You can choose any colour from any brand of paint and they will make it up for you in that colour. Apparently I need to do three coats and my grandaughter can chew and throw and nothing will go wrong, well that remains to be seen. .

For the 'printing' on the blocks I cheated and used the CNC shark pro. Mind it took ages and ages and ages to decide which image I wanted etc and etc and I am very new to that as well.

Hope this helps

Sharon

Hi sharon
Which of the Livos paints did you use? I used the Livos timber stain in the beautiful ultramarine blue and the bright green on pine and it was just beautiful.

Here is link to a box of 48 for $10

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Schylling-AB-Alphabet-Block/dp/B00000DMC6]Amazon.com: Schylling Alphabet Block: Toys & Games[/ame]

Sorry I've come late to this

If you make them 1" x 2" x 2" they will match these which are great

I made pine dominoes, 35mm x 70mm x 140mm . Paint the dots of each number a diffrent colour . My kids played with them , and now the grandkids play yith them