Shopsmith Forums

I like making toys. It doesn't cost much in materials to make them and they can be a real challenge to make good quality toys that look good and are durable.

I also use poplar. Having made a thousand or so little cars and trucks, I find my production cost (minus electricity and shop heating) to be close to $1.50 Each.

Made a bunch of these for toys for tots and for the grandsons a few years ago Been doing these every year since for Toys for Tots Bill V

I made several of these doll cradles as Christmas gifts many years ago. It's sitting on what was my work bench.

I built this little car while experimenting with Home Depot oops paint and an airbrush. It has a nice satin finish but the wood grain is raised just enough so it;s obviously made from wood. Everyone who has seen it up close really likes to finish.

I also figured out how to get the axle ends painted and have it look right to me.

I just finished this little beastie a few days ago. All done with a scrollsaw , drill press and lots of sanding. It's made from oak poplar and birch. The finish is brushed on amber shellac with a dab of metallic green craft paint on the axle hubs. I've made several of these using various techniques and believe me the little trucks are a lot of work. I broke several of them while drilling the holes and cutting windows. So far I haven't found a technique that doesn't require lots of sanding.

The only thing I haven't tried is making a pattern using a router with a pattern following bit. Seems like this is a ready made project for pin routing.

I like the racing stripe! Beautiful work on all of the toys.

Mike

Here are I made for kids in the family

Here are some I made for kids in the family

wa2crk wrote:Made a bunch of these for toys for tots and for the grandsons a few years ago
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Been doing these every year since for Toys for Tots
bear playing football.jpg
Bill V

I absolutely love that transport truck!

All of those are just beautiful. The rocking crib is perfect!