Making a start...

[Yonnee]

Do any of you guys make these toy vehicles from plans, or are they done from scratch out of your head?

It's something I'd like to get into, and I would think that once you had made a few, you could develope your own techniques as you found better ways of doing things.

But where to start???

And I'm not talking about the simple bits of 2x4, cut to a shape with some wheels. I'm for something a little more elaborate to start with, and develope my skill from there.


Yonnee.

[STAR]

Well I have difficulty following plans. My project is a toy train for my grandson. Not any old train out of four by two pine by the way.

I have searched through the internet and most of the trains there are just that toy trains. I wanted one with a bit more class that would not so much be a toy but a collector's piece that he would have in his room. Plenty of cheap toy trains from Toy world and K Mart.

My train is more like an unscaled model steam train with as much additions to make it look like the real thing and something that to me is a bit of a challenge. I am doing it at my wood work group and it is a good project because it is very time consuming because I have to learn quite a few new skills in the making of it.

eg. The boiler has been turned on a lathe and so has the six wheels. Only problem was, that I had never used a lathe before so this gave me the incentive to have a go. I wanted a lot of brass on it, So had to find all the brass from various sources. Some of the brass was very tarnished, so had to get rid of the tarnish, not easy, as, I had to try different methods.

I am hollowing the boiler to reduce the weight, not as easy as it sounds for this guy, but I am getting there. very time consuming, but what the heck, I enjoy the company there, and do not have to go looking for new projects all the time.

It is to be a Christmas present, he will be 2 1/2 , I will post some pics when I get all the individual parts done as a W.I.P. Still a few more things to get to make the train authentic.

[AUSSIE]

I am about to go on the making a car or two.I have sent for some plans last week.
I also purchased a book from foxchapel (see below) the book wasnt quite what I was after The USA plans are Cheap but havent seen any yet to know if they are any good
Ross
http://www.u-bild.com/patterns-wood-toys/index.htm

http://www.ubuildit.com.au/model.html

http://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/p...ils.cfm?PC=281

[Yonnee]

Star,
Sounds great, more like the vehicles I'd like to do. More like collector's pieces than toys. My son is now 8, still plays with vehicles of all sorts, but is now also old enough to appreciate and look after something a bit more special.

Just where to start??

AUSSIE,
I was typing this as you posted...
Thanks for the links, I'll have a look when I get home. (The boss is trying to kick me out... 1/2 hr after I'm supposed to leave)

[STAR]

Aussie, I like those Fox Chappel books. I might chase some of them up, Could be some projects there for next year, this year looks to be all taken.

[Chipman]

It is really great to see you toymakers into it and using the forum to share your ideas

Don't forget safety... if kids are under 3, there should be no small parts that could break off and become choking hazards

....By the way, I have started on my rocking horse/chairs... the first one will be for a teddy bear and then for a young child.

Have fun, will keep you posted

Regards,

Chipman

[watson]

There's a book that Andy Mac mentioned on another thread some time ago (Marvellous Mechanical Devices In Wood) that may be of interest to the toy makers. (always be careful when Andy Mac mentions a book.........they are always fantastic)
My copy is up the shed and the wind is gale force.....so I'll get the ISBN in the morning.

[Sawdust Maker]

On books might I suggest that you check out your local library - mine has quite a number on making wooden toys
a great source of inspiration

[Garell]

I work from plans as well as out of my head. The tractor and buldozer where from plans. The tractor was from Australian Toy Maker magazine, and the bull dozer was from http://www.aschisworkshop.com/ (its a free plan). The truck I made, including the 2 types of trailers (a flat bed and a log jinker) where out of my head, I have some of the plan i drew up some where around the place. I should have a fosic for it.

Geting the inspuration is the hardest thing. I had trouble making a tractor from scrach so I opted for a plan, the next one will be from out of my head.

Anyway, good luck, keep us posted.

Refer to http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=74603 Pages 2 and 4 for pictures of some of my toys.

Regards Jamie

[watson]

Had to go up the shed anyway..run out of grog!
The Title is:
Making Mechanical Marvels in Wood
Author:
Richard Levy
ISBN - 10
0806973587
ISBN - 13
978-0869 73586

[AUSSIE]

Noel
Very good book that one.I got a lend of it from Geelong Library a month or so back.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Mechanical-Marvels-Wood-Raymond/dp/0806973587"]Amazon.com: Making Mechanical Marvels In Wood: Raymond Levy: Books[/ame]

[watson]

Noel
Very good book that one.I got a lend of it from Geelong Library a month or so back.
Amazon.com: Making Mechanical Marvels In Wood: Raymond Levy: Books

G'day,
Yes.Beaut book....I was thinking that some of those devices could be included in push toys....run off the wheels.......just to make them more interesting.

[colbra]

Hi All
If you are after some plans to build up, it might be worth checking these out http://www.toysandjoys.com
hope this works, if not just type it in google. I have got a few sets of plans off them, it takes about a week or two to get here from the states I am just about to start building a 1933 seagrave fire truck or have a go at it anyway.
I also have some other books some are good and some not so good I think the plans were put together by a graphic artist rather than a draftsman no disrespect to any graphic artist hope this can help
regards colbra

[colbra]

Hi All
If you are after some plans to build up, it might be worth checking these out http://www.toysandjoys.com
hope this works, if not just type it in google. I have got a few sets of plans off them, it takes about a week or two to get here from the states I am just about to start building a 1933 seagrave fire truck or have a go at it anyway.
I also have some other books some are good and some not so good I think the plans were put together by a graphic artist rather than a draftsman no disrespect to any graphic artist hope this can help
regards colbra

Yep it worked

[Waldo]

Most of my toys - 90%, are taken from those my Grandad made. I loved them when I was a little bloke and kids still love them. The plans I have bought are from http://www.aschisworkshop.com/