Thread: Toy Safe Timber

Hi & Welcome to the Woodwork Forums

I think, from memory, that pine is a good timber. If going recycled, I think Hoop pine might be appropriate.

For safe finishes:
Colouring, Ubeaut's Water Dyes or even food colouring may work
and then finish with Shellac.

cheers
Wendy
Cheers

at our preschool they use only pine for the blocks, planks,boxes,kids furniture,all shellac painted

Thanks for the warm welcome and great info

I have a family member who works on building sites... Does anyone know if the pine used in the framing (6x4) is suitable for kids toys as he can get plenty of offcuts.

Would this timber be treated?

The white pine from building sites is quite suitable, don't use coloured pine as that is often treated.

Originally Posted by adammc

I want to build some wooden building blocks for my 12mth daughter.... What is the safest timber to use in terms of splinters and chemicals used to treat the timber?

I have 9 brothers and sisters. Dad was a timber faller and we always had loads of cut and uncut woodpiles in our back yard and we all played for hours every day in/on the the piles as soon as we could walk. The uncut pile was the coolest as it had BIG chunky sleeper offcuts and we could build cubbies and trains - awesome! The timber was WA Jarrah, Marri and some Karri. Splintery as all get out - did we get splinters - we sure did. Did we get dirty - yep we got filthy, the wood resin turns skin black. Did we get cuts and bruises - yep. Did it stop us - no - we loved it. Did it hurt us in the long run - no.

Hi Echidna & Bob, thanks for the replies

Bob,
Sounds like my childhood LOL

Can anyone else possibly confirm about the pine offcuts agthered from building sites (6x4) ?

much of building pine is treated some have it imprinted along it

as the others have said

oh yeh welcome to the forum good to see another newbie

Welcome to the forum
there is an australian standard for toys - the main part deals with choking hazards, essentially anything which would fit within a film canister is considered a no no.

This link will take you to a brief description of what parents should look for in toys and covers the standards requirements
http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.../itemId/719191

I made a lot of blocks for my boys, so much so SWMBO has ruled that I cannot make any more, but I sneak a few in, every now and again. I generally use radiata pine and size it appropriately. I base it on a block set which has it's basic block of 1" x 2" x 2". and then multiples of that size and halves as triangles etc. I've also made a lot using a basic block size of 1" x 1" x 1". I never coloured them as I couldn't be bothered and the boys have hours of fun from them as is. Ubeaut sell colour dyes if you think it's important.

http://www.kembo.com.au/blocks.htm is a manufacturer of a set similiar to that I based mine on.

Originally Posted by BobL

. Did it hurt us in the long run - no.

Thats our story and your sticking to it hey Bob

Glenn

wheelinround,

Hmmm ok.... So if I wanted to be safe I wouldnt use offcust from building sites cause I wont know which is treated and untreated, right?

Sawdust maker,

Thanks for the great links

Do you know if I would have much trouble getting recycled radiata pine here in Melbourne?

G'Day Adammc,
I used to build wooden toys firstly for my grand kids, and then started to sell a bit ( quite a bit ) gave it up when I started building Clocks and jewel boxes but still make as requests.
Used recycled radiata pine with contrast parts where needed. Non Toxic acrylic paint like the Schools use, with a coat of shelac.
It got to the stage that some pre-schools and Child care centres started buying it and I got sick of making the same stuff.

Heres some pics.
Have fun
Andrew

nice work andrew

Originally Posted by madcraft

Thats our story and your sticking to it hey Bob

Glenn

Yeah (twitch), thats (twitch/twitch) right (twitch) - nuffin rong (twitch) wif us (cough cough, hawk, spit, blink-blink, stare . . . . drool . . . . . )

I'm surprise no one has mentioned fruit wood as it has an extremely low splintering rate which is why it is used for tool handles.