Thread: Where are the toy makers?

Hi,
Here's a couple of pictures, the Barbi Bed was scrollsaw work and the truck from a magazine. I laid a one metre rule for size indication for the truck. Other than the smaller pull along toys these are my first So I'm into it now (I hope the Mums (my daughters) accept them).
The wheels for the truck - 34 of them - were a challenge, done with cheapy hole cutter and the painting I could do without. Enjoyed cutting the stencils for the lettering, especially as they worked!!!
I'm not one for producing designs but if I was I reckon that would a way to finance the hobby.
Regards,
Bob H.

Nice work Bob

The bed is really nice... I have never tried scroll work before but I often see some really great stuff at the wood shows.

That is a lot of wheels!!!!! and the truck is nicely finished. the kids will really love it.

I make two different type of wheels. One way is to use a wheel cutter in the drill press (two different sizes made by Carbitool) and the other is to bore a pocket in the wood say 16mm diameter with a forstner bit and then use a hole saw to cut the outside of the wheel. To smooth them off, I mount them in the drill press. I use a long 6mm bolt with the head cut off for a mandrel. When it comes to painting, I usually spray them. I mount them on a piece of 6mm dowel to hold them while spraying them.

I also put a 6mm steel tube through the middle (brake bundy tube) and mount them with a screw... acts like a bearing and they spin really well.

Cheers,

Chipman

Originally Posted by colbra

Hi Chipman
I too often wondered if there were many people making model cars and toys, I spend a lot of my woodworking time in the back shed make small cars and trucks to give to people, I must have made about 40 or 50 of them its great if I keep going I might be another Henry Ford the best thing they don't use much petrol !
All jokes aside I realy enjoy making them I have been thinking about doing some with a local woodworking group, to give to the kids or to raise some money at there fetes maybe even start section on this forum if there are people interested in making them you could possibly swap plans and ideas there are all sorts of cars and trucks and automotive plant you can make.
I have seen some over the years, and there are some very talened people out there it would be good if they were to share there skills with us I will keep intouch as I making some other things I am just about make my grandson a forklift
Regards colbra

Sounds like a good idea.... There are some really good toymaking groups out there!

Chipman

Originally Posted by Chipman

Hi Stuart,

I had seen your loader and the skeleton before on your web site (good one too!) but not the doll's house furniture. Well designed and made. Did you end up painting the stove and sink? What finish did you use on the loader? The loader looks loke it is very strong and able withstand some heavy kid usage

Excellent

Chipman

The stove and sink were given away as is for the parents to decide how they wanted them finished (painted, varnished, natural etc). BTW, it isn't dolls house furniture - they stand about 400mm high! Featured in last year's Australian ToyMaker Magazine.

For the loader, it was waxed (Ubeaut traditional). As to toughness - bugger the kids - it sits on my desk so I can play with it!

[quote=Stuart;- it sits on my desk so I can play with it![/quote]


It often gets like that... thanks for the info!


Chipman

Originally Posted by colbra

Hi Chipman
I too often wondered if there were many people making model cars and toys, I spend a lot of my woodworking time in the back shed make small cars and trucks to give to people, I must have made about 40 or 50 of them its great if I keep going I might be another Henry Ford the best thing they don't use much petrol !
All jokes aside I realy enjoy making them I have been thinking about doing some with a local woodworking group, to give to the kids or to raise some money at there fetes maybe even start section on this forum if there are people interested in making them you could possibly swap plans and ideas there are all sorts of cars and trucks and automotive plant you can make.
I have seen some over the years, and there are some very talened people out there it would be good if they were to share there skills with us I will keep intouch as I making some other things I am just about make my grandson a forklift
Regards colbra

Finally got to see the photos... Henry would be proud... or jealous!

Nice work

Chipman

Here are a few of my efforts. My toybox design was published in Toymaker, the others were from various books or made up on the fly. The pushcart was designed for my granddaughter who was having trouble learning to walk and needed something she could put her weight on without it tipping.
Cheers
Graeme

Hi Graeme,

You have some nice stuff there! That is a really good idea making Thomas as a box! I think most kids like to put things inside and have a place to hide things. When I last made a toy train, I turned the boiler on the lathe and then hollowed it out to keep the weight down...if I do one again, I will use it as a storage place. The truck is a real credit to your skills too... it has detail and is robust for little kids to use...well done. The pull along is good too. Are the wheels off centre so it rises and falls as you pull it? The trolley and rings are good play things as well.


Thanks for posting your things Graeme

Cheers
Chipman

My daughter works in the medical field and wanted some toys to get the young one's minds off what was happening. She asked me to make a turned rocking chair for a soft toy (Cookie Monster) Here is a picture of what I made... the wood is Makore and it is sprayed with 35% gloss lacquer.It was about 200mm tall

One of the things you will find when making this kind of thing is accuracy. If you are out by 1 or 2 mm in a full size chair, it hardly shows but on a scaled down object it really shows.

Regards,

Chipman

Chipman
These were last Xmas





I have about 500 ready for this year.
They are given to organizations that look after kids, The smaller ones go into shoe boxes and are distributed offshore by " Samaritan's Purse "

There are more toys here
HTTP://paul.ohalloran.ca

paul

Wow

You certainly have been busy... Do you do it by yourself or do you have some others to help you. Just the painting takes a long time.

While the toys are superb, the reason why you are doing it, is the really good part. That is the kind of thing I want to do when I change from paid employment to.... (retirement!)

My wife has retired already due to health reasons and she keeps herself busy knitting jumpers for babies with AIDS in Africa... in 2 years, she has already hand knitted more than 1000!

There are a lot of people in need and it is good to do what you can to help, especially for kids.

Truly remarkable effort,

Regards,
Chipman

Chipman
Thanks

I do it all. I get scraps from local woodworkers, Buy the wheels And axles in bulk. The Kiwanis Club gives me a tax receipt to cover the invoices. I use a water based Non-toxic craft paint. remember 3 year old kids do not critique paint jobs so you don't have to be real fancy.
This is an excellent book on Toys " How to Make Animated Toys " by David Wakefield, your local library should be able to find a copy.
For other plans I do an internet search of " wooden Toys " and " Borrow " the design.
One of my favorite is this one that I borrowed. the one on the right is the newest

There are over 20,000 combinations to put the three cars on the trailer, only one is a perfect fit. This toy makes kids think. I have had 3 year old solve this puzzle. Some adults have problems with it, the 20,000 intimidates them.
If you want the details to build this one let me know

Paul

Hi Paul,

As I said in an earlier post, I always make my own wheels...quite time consuming! but with the number of toys you are making, it certainly would be more time effective to buy them, especially when their are others willing to help in your work.

Thanks for your kind offer, I will pm my contact details to you.


Regards,

Chipman

I made this doll's house for my niece last Christmas. I copied the design off a doll's house I saw on the internet. I liked the organic feel of the house, but the design was a bit impractical because it was a bit hard to access the inside of the house. Also very slow to make.