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Thread: Hippo

  1. #1
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    Default Hippo

    A lot of you might be familiar with Kay Bojesen's hippo design. I was asked to make the same but a little bigger as a Xmas gift to a toddler.

    This is the box, "φ" is just his initial in Greek. It's just masonite cut on the scroll saw and glued on the plywood with wood glue. I filled the box up with Huon pine and Kamphor shavings both to protect the toys and decoration but also cover the poly odour as some people don't like it.



    The toys:











    Cant go wrong with chocolates




    The hippo took a ridiculous amount of time, I was just going off some photos and it was harder than I thought. Having zero experience in toy making didn't help either. I quickly realised when you're trying to cut a curve that is a smile, if you are out by a mm it doesn't even look like a smile any more. So I was jumping between the band saw and the scroll saw and it took a couple of attempts to get it just right. The eyes are just two nails dipped in black nail polish, going through a finger joint that acts like a hinge for the head, and glued in with epoxy.

    As a result of taking that long and because it will probably not survive for very long in the hands of a toddler anyway, I kept some things simple in finishing and detailing but overall I'm happy how it all turned out.

    Comments welcome

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Very nice work, any child would love the Hippo. Like anything you do for the first time, it seems to take forever. Keep up the good work.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  4. #3
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    Well Spyro, You are now an official first class toy maker as that hippo is magnificent sir.... well done indeed!! Cheers, crowie

    PS - And I wish I could make a little box that he's pulling like yours....it's tops!!

  5. #4
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    A great little toy the hippo turned out nice i like the idea of being able to remove the hippo from the wheeled base. Nice touch on the box to keep it in

  6. #5
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dalboy View Post
    A great little toy the hippo turned out nice i like the idea of being able to remove the hippo from the wheeled base. Nice touch on the box to keep it in
    Yeah I was just being realistic (on their behalf) and I figured that the life expectancy of a detailed wooden toy in the hands of a toddler is probably not very high

    I just wanted them to have something left after a few years, the box is nicely personalised and built like a tank and it can be used for toys, books, lego, craft supplies etc. Shame about the tearout I had to fill on the box joints but it really just makes it look aged, not necessarily ugly. Also you can't see from the other side but I've made some nice feet for it, so you can easily pick it up from the rope handle and stand it on the floor. Pretty functional all around and it didn't take that long to make.

    Actually making the shavings by hand felt like it took longer than the box

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