Thread: The best Wood for Toy and Model Making?

Masters have poplar. Looked at it last week.

G'Day Pete,
Have a look around the coast for furniture makers and the like for there offcuts.
But best of all is the "secondhand building supplier yards" or Demolition Yards all who sell "recycled timber".
And don't forget to make some friends with some of the local builders who do work in "hard woods" and ask for there offcuts.
I hope that helps you source some nice timbers for your toys.
Cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by dabbler

Masters have poplar. Looked at it last week.

Thanks Dabbler.

I see you are on the Coast to. Funny that you say Masters have it.Might be a coincidence that their half owner Lowe's also have it as a stock item in the States.

Masters is less then ten minutes away, might call in tomorrow and check. Right under my nose. I have asked many guys and tradies but no one knew where to get it from let alone know what it looked like.

This forum is a great place. Thanks

Pete

I should have pointed you to this thread. I read about it there and thought I would sus it out.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f132/a...timber-152265/

Sent you a PM too.

Originally Posted by dabbler

I should have pointed you to this thread. I read about it there and thought I would sus it out.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f132/a...timber-152265/

Sent you a PM too.

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Thanks for that link on Poplar. Because I have some samples of the American Poplar which has been finely sanded and cut to various dimensions I should be able to see if the Master's timber is as good.

Regardless, I will do a comparison and my thoughts. If it is as good as the US stuff it might well be the choice of wood for a lot of us toy makers that are looking for a better quality finish then what pine can give.

My friend in the States produces near museum Art gallery work from it. Now, some of his work from the Toys and Joys plans might not be suitable for children, especially because of the fine detail he builds in with the extra add ons.

But, you could not do that with pine anyway. So, when comparing apples with apples hopefully it opens up a whole new dimension to our toy and model making.

Pete

Hello Star,

I use pine and Jarah as a combination in my toy making , I also use Kwila as a great wood for wheels , I am always on the look out for offcuts of Kwila decking.
One thing for sure, especially with pine , you must have very sharp saw blades.
Regards
Bryan

For toys I use a lot of beech. I had no clue about types of wood before I started making toys, so I asked around for suitable wood. Here in Europe beech is used a lot on toys and handequipment because it does not splinter, is hard, has a smooth finish and has a nice light color.

I bought 0,8 cubic metre at an auction for almost nothing and still have plenty to go. I don't know how available it is in the USA.

Originally Posted by Pogo02

For toys I use a lot of beech. I had no clue about types of wood before I started making toys, so I asked around for suitable wood. Here in Europe beech is used a lot on toys and handequipment because it does not splinter, is hard, has a smooth finish and has a nice light color.

I bought 0,8 cubic metre at an auction for almost nothing and still have plenty to go. I don't know how available it is in the USA.

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Thanks for the reply Pogo.

I am in Australia, the American reference was because a friend who makes gallery quality Models uses American Poplar and he was good enough to send me some sampleas he had dimenshioned up intp 1/4 inch ( 6 mm) 1/2 inch ( 12mm ) and 3/4 inch ( 19 mm )

I have some beech here in my shop which I was saving for Wood carving. I will try that. I have some 50 year old English Beech and some Australian beech. The Australian beech can be sourced easilly enough so I might see if that is a better option.

However, if the Poplar at our Big Box store Masters is ok then that simplifies things as I drive past there at least twice a week.

Thanks for the reply.

Pete

hi pete thought you had dropped off the face of the earth.
US timber would be vastly different from what is grown here because of the weather patterns. their poplar would be a lot denser.
I only use NZ furniture grade pine again big difference to ours but also I buy it in packs only way to get it. Try hoop pine grows in all em hills behind you lovely stuff and is actualy a hard wood.
Phil

Originally Posted by Prime mover

hi pete thought you had dropped off the face of the earth.
US timber would be vastly different from what is grown here because of the weather patterns. their poplar would be a lot denser.
I only use NZ furniture grade pine again big difference to ours but also I buy it in packs only way to get it. Try hoop pine grows in all em hills behind you lovely stuff and is actualy a hard wood.
Phil

According to one of the timber guys at Masters, their poplar (and red oak) is sourced from Canadian mills. He said it also know as canadian pine. No idea how the quality compares though but it's easy to imagine it's the same mills that supply Lowes.

Not to burst your bubble Pete, but here in the states Poplar is commonly used as a secondary wood such as for drawers and parts of furniture that you don't see. People also use it for projects they are going to paint.

It has a green tint to it. Not sure if the pieces you have are like this. It can be stained and look nice though. It does machine better than pine. Price range it is between pine and red oak at Lowes. Whenever I need some I don't buy from Lowes though I buy from my Hardwood dealer, better pricing in the rough.

If you look at my first train toy the boiler is a piece of poplar dowel I bought from Lowes.

I took some pics of some scraps I have. Is this what yours looks like?
Attachment 210634Attachment 210635Attachment 210636

So many quality replies that each deserves their own separate reply.

Pete

Originally Posted by Prime mover

hi pete thought you had dropped off the face of the earth.
US timber would be vastly different from what is grown here because of the weather patterns. their poplar would be a lot denser.
I only use NZ furniture grade pine again big difference to ours but also I buy it in packs only way to get it. Try hoop pine grows in all em hills behind you lovely stuff and is actualy a hard wood.
Phil

Hi Phil

Things have been pretty tough here the last six months what with a few problems plus the Insurance water damage.

Toys sort of got pushed to the back and had a break for awhile. Still working through things but its on the up. so ok.

Pete

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Not to burst your bubble Pete, but here in the states Poplar is commonly used as a secondary wood such as for drawers and parts of furniture that you don't see. People also use it for projects they are going to paint.

It has a green tint to it. Not sure if the pieces you have are like this. It can be stained and look nice though. It does machine better than pine. Price range it is between pine and red oak at Lowes. Whenever I need some I don't buy from Lowes though I buy from my Hardwood dealer, better pricing in the rough.

If you look at my first train toy the boiler is a piece of poplar dowel I bought from Lowes.

I took some pics of some scraps I have. Is this what yours looks like?
Attachment 210634Attachment 210635Attachment 210636

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Bret

The poplar I got does not have a green tinge, maybe a hint of grey but all very close to an off white.

I know it is a secondary timber but Terry, my friend, selects his carefully. As far as pricing goes i doubt the cost is a consideration for him, convenience maybe, not costs.

I was grateful and surprised when he sent me some to compare with the woods we have here.

Regards

Pete