Wooden toys for children

Moonlite37 · Mar 25, 2016

Several months ago there was a post where a fellow was making little woodem outs for children. I would like to make some for foster homes and shelters. It seemed that there was a little car made from a 2 by 4 and the wheels were made by a hole saw. Those shown were painted bright colors and looked neat. I plan to make mine with a clear finish or no finish. I would like to have some plans or details

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 25, 2016

Making Animated Wooden Toys is a great book if you're interested in using hardwood and making toys that are a bit more complex. If you're making a simple cutout on wheels I would just draw what looks nice to you since the mechanical aspects are pretty straightforward. We used to make batches of toys for a refugee center in Syracuse and still send some down with the retired director when she comes to visit.
Zach

Bob · Mar 25, 2016

Go over to Tractor Tales and give a shout out for Dick2.

1948CaseVAI · Mar 25, 2016

http://www.toymakingplans.com/index.php

They have a forum for advice and thousands of plans. Google wood toys and you will find dozens of books and ideas.

JF in MI · Mar 25, 2016

I have a friend that does that all the time. He has a flooring company that gives him end cuts of different kinds of hardwood. When he makes toys for his son he always makes an extra one that the flooring company puts on display in their front window. He says that pre-made wheels are too cheap and plentiful to bother making them from scratch.

Dick2 · Mar 25, 2016

Something like these? I've made them various ways, from 7/8" to 1.5" thickness. I used to use 3/8" diameter dowels for axles, but changed to using 1/4" dowels, which are strong enough. You can vary the shape of the bodies to what looks good to you. Number one rule of making the little cars is to make sure that the wheels turn freely; if they don't the kids won't play with them. I've made over 6,500 of these cars; gave them all away to church preschools and a children's hospital. My health doesn't allow me to do that right now; depends on my recovery if I'll ever get back to making more cars. My friend made over 3.000 cars, but he has COPD so bad that he can't even walk out to the shop anymore.

Bernie/MA · Mar 25, 2016

Back in the 40s a toy company in the next town was booming making wooden toys. WW2 was on and there was no steel or rubber available.

Moonlite37 · Mar 25, 2016

I think this is the one shown a few months ago. I shall try the roof truss company and bum scraps. I am not going to charge for them. just give them away.

Wooden toys for children

Moonlite37

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Zachary Hoyt

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Bob

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1948CaseVAI

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JF in MI

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Dick2

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Bernie/MA

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Moonlite37

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