Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    9

    Default Safe Timbers & Finishes for Children 3 - 6

    Hi All,

    I've been a bit of a hobbyist for a while making some laser-cut toys out of 3mm - 6mm MDF and have recently had some businesses contact me wanting me to start mass-producing them.

    I know that MDF is safe if there is no dust (laser-cutting doesn't create any) and if there's a finish on it. The problem is I would still prefer not to use MDF (personal preference) and move to something else but can't find anything that will give me a good result while being safe for kids. I have tried 1,000,000,000 different ply's and they all seem to give different results due to the glues. I have some pretty fine cutting in there so it needs to be really strong while being non-toxic.

    Does anyone out there mass produce toys that comply with the Australian Safety Standards?
    Does anyone use a ply that they trust and is available in Sydney?

    If I HAVE to use MDF doesn't anyone have any finishes that they recommend for low-cost mass produced wooden toys. I have had some people suggest polyurethane? Anything I can seem to find will end up costing me more than the wood it's meant to go on.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    back in Alberta for a while
    Age
    68
    Posts
    12,006

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Budgi View Post
    If I HAVE to use MDF doesn't anyone have any finishes that they recommend for low-cost mass produced wooden toys. I have had some people suggest polyurethane? Anything I can seem to find will end up costing me more than the wood it's meant to go on.
    probably normal.
    Finishing a piece is often as time consuming as building it.

    Shellac is kid safe -- it's often how the shine is put on sweets.

    most finishes are also kid safe ONCE THEY HAVE FULLY CURED -- for emphasis, not shouting

    I assume that you are concerned with kids chewing on the toys?
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    belgrave
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,934

    Default

    Pine is safe. There are articals somewhere about its natural anti bacterial properties. There are onlyu a few woods that would be toxic when ingested. Yew for example might be a no no.
    anne-maria.
    T
    ea Lady

    (White with none)
    Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    belgrave
    Age
    61
    Posts
    7,934

    Default

    Doesn't mdf have similar glue probs as ply? How about making your own ply? use epoxy rather that resersinol which might have melamine as a filler. Hide glue? That would be edible? perhaps not vegetarian........ or halal.
    anne-maria.
    T
    ea Lady

    (White with none)
    Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Peakhurst
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1,173

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tea lady View Post
    Doesn't mdf have similar glue probs as ply? How about making your own ply? use epoxy rather that resersinol which might have melamine as a filler. Hide glue? That would be edible? perhaps not vegetarian........ or halal.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tampa, FL - USA
    Posts
    73

    Default

    Not familiar with all the varieties available in Australia but here in the states Clear Pine (no knots) is widely used for children's toys and either clear or amber shellac for a finish. Both are safe for kids to chew on. Anytime I'm making something for one of the young Grand kids, those are the materials I use. Another plus to their use is stuff I've made 10 or more years ago is still being played with and handed down from one youngster to the next between cousins. Pine and shellac are both cheap over here.

    MDF would not be on my list of materials mainly because when the edges get wet it begins to crumble. Not a good thing for kids who spill things everywhere.
    He who blesses his neighbor in a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing!
    Videos I have made. Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/johnnie52/videos

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Nth Richmond
    Posts
    49

    Default Wood for kids toys and finishes for same

    Hi Budgi, have you investigated Jelutong (don't know if it has another "common" name) as a timber. It is very consistent in grain, no knots, not that expensive and can be cut easily with bandsaw into laminar thicknesses.

    the finish I use for kids toys is either vegetable oil (canola, olive etc from plants) or Orange oil, but doesn't give a gloss and greasy until fully absorbed, but usually only a day or so.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    North of the coathanger, Sydney
    Age
    68
    Posts
    9,417

    Default

    I've made a lot of blocks for my boys out of radiata
    no finish as it doesn't really need it

    they are going strong after 15 years
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

Similar Threads

  1. Food-safe finishes (again)
    By Wizened of Oz in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 30th March 2011, 09:07 AM
  2. Food safe finishes for Bamboo
    By woodprn in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 6th June 2008, 05:10 AM
  3. Child-safe Finishes
    By Knurl in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 26th February 2007, 08:08 AM
  4. food safe finishes??
    By Tool Man in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 3rd April 2006, 12:09 AM
  5. Baby safe finishes
    By Kim Hudson in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 12th December 2004, 06:40 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •