Thread: Toy Clock

Looks good Stu,

Have you seen "Making Hierloom Toys" by Jim Makowicki ?

He has a similar design but has embedded magnets in the clock face to stop the numbers falling out and has a T piece at the 12 o'clock position to make it look a bit like a pocket watch (and give the recipient something to drag it around by!).

Alan

As a toy clock how about adding numbers underneath? Or you could make it even more of a teaching toy by having each hour a different shape ?

Juvy

1. Have seen the heirloom toy book in the past - similar concept is used on a number of clocks - I had a Fisher Price version when I was young. I didn't like the handle, from memory, so that's why I'm opting for more of a free-standing idea. The magnets are a good idea though - particularly if it is going to be used on a wall. Will investigate.

2. Numbers underneath and/or different shapes - that would be more applicable if the clock was for a younger child (but then I'd definitely be avoiding the magnets). My idea about teaching toys is they are better if they focus on a specific role or lesson, rather than getting too many overlapping concepts.

I am still looking at the idea that there could be a removable clock mechanism, so the clock could be turned functional and on the child's wall when it is not being 'played' with. Again, the magnets definitely make this more viable so the numbers stay in place.

I like the shape , simple, functional and probably pleasant to handle... nice natural wood tones.... that's all good... but for a toy there's more to consider.

What age are you aiming this at? We used to teach 5 year olds how to tell time with a cardboard clock with moveable handles and numbers.
What are you trying to teach ? To tell time or hand/eye coordination/dexterity?

If there are no numbers how can a child learn to tell time? If it's more for hand/eye coordination or dexterity then it wouldn't be very difficult because all the shapes fit in any of the holes. You can of course still stack the shapes and built towers and use them for counting games. So it all depends one what your course is actually asking of you.... a real toy needs to be playable and teach something.... putting same size dowels in same size holes isn't enough..... maybe different size dowels starting with narrow for one and working up to 12.... hmmmm. no don't think that would work... would end up with too big a dowel... but you know what I mean.... something that will challenge a child a bit more.

You've got a great start, I'm sure you'll get to a great finish

Juvy

Originally Posted by Stu's Shed

The idea is that each of the removable numbers will have a number on them - possibly carved - haven’t decided!

As I mentioned, this is only the AutoCAD work-in-progress, not the finalised design.

The whole thing is being modeled in 3D, so it would take quite a bit of work (if I can be bothered) to construct 3D numbers and then extract them from each of the dowels to create a carved number look. I'm sure people would instinctively put numbers on each dowel anyway, and possibly stain/paint/dye each a different colour.

I also didn't go for the different shaped blocks (which has also been suggested in comments on the blog) as that overly complicates the build, and this project is to inspire beginners, not challenge more seasoned woodworkers (remember it is for a toy making course - many of these people have never used a bandsaw or tablesaw before, let alone a router or router table. Circle cutting on the bandsaw is going to draw quite a reaction on its own. Also, I want the attendees to get to make a number of toys over the 1 1/2 days. For the introductory course, it takes that long to make a biscuit-joined cutting board.)

Ahhhhh.... so you just want to give them a basic and they can finish it to their liking....

If they are really total beginners I'd go for cutting the circle on the scroll saw ..... if they stay a bit outside the line they can just sand it back.... a lot of scrollers do that.

After that I can see how easy and quick it would be....

Is the course's main object to learn how to use tools or is the main thing to learn how to make toys?

Juvy

Actually, I'd go for circle cutting on the bandsaw over the scrollsaw for ease every day! I find a scrollsaw a harder tool to master, and with a circle cutting jig on a bandsaw, you can turn out circles in seconds. I have a(n old) video here, which I am going to redo shortly as I make a new circle cutting jig in time for the course.



Not trying to play devil's advocate here - appreciate the interest.

The course is two-fold - on using the tools and making toys, but if I had to choose between them, I'd say the course is more about learning how to use the tools safely and gaining the confidence to make things yourself, rather than buying them, and making toys as the motivation.