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I've been spending a lot of time lately making toys - mostly cars and trucks - but also have a big need to get rid of many cutoffs and strips. Found plans for toy log houses in Hands-online right here. Here's a two day effort at using narrow oak strips. They must be at least 3/4"X3/4".

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Not knowing how many of each size log is needed, this is what I came up with for the first run. Over the years, I had forgotten the 3 & 4 notch logs can also be that length with only two end notches. Now I'll make some more logs and make the rafters and roof boards.

charlese wrote:I've been spending a lot of time lately making toys - mostly cars and trucks - but also have a big need to get rid of many cutoffs and strips. Found plans for toy log houses in Hands-online right here. Here's a two day effort at using narrow oak strips. They must be at least 3/4"X3/4".

[ATTACH]12474[/ATTACH]

Not knowing how many of each size log is needed, this is what I came up with for the first run. Over the years, I had forgotten the 3 & 4 notch logs can also be that length with only two end notches. Now I'll make some more logs and make the rafters and roof boards.

I gotta ask! Notches cut before or after 'rounding'?

What a fun way to use scraps.
Thanks for sharing.

I ran across those plans and it's on my to-do list. Those look GREAT!! I fondly remember lincoln logs from my own childhood and look forward to giving that same fun memory to my grandsons soon.

Thats awesome!
What were your steps here? what did you start with, how did you round and notch ect?

Yes, please fill us in on the process.

I need to get started on a project like this for my grandson as well!

Now you got me thinking. First I found this:
http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archive ... nglogs.htm

From Shopsmith. But it uses a router to make the logs. I thought you would turn them on the lathe.

Yours look great. Please share.

What a great way to use scrap oak. Like others mentiioned, what method did you use to round the material?

Wow! didn't guess the logs would arose interest.

kalynzoo has posted the very plans I used. Thanks, Gary!:) (don't forget to look at the other pages of the plans. "Logs" and "Roof & Chimney")

The notches (dados) are cut either from an already sized 3/4 X3/4 or, like the plans suggest, from a wider board prior to sizing. Any length is O.K.

I happened to have the same miter gauge extension suggested in the plans. I used masking tape on the extension to mark off 3" intervals. This gives the proper spacing (2 1/4"+3/4"). Setting the stop block on each 3" mark, I sawed dadoes on both sides of the wood.

Longer pieces present a chance to make closer notches. These will be used to make the many "one notch" logs. At first, I was puzzled by - "How long should the scrap be prior to dadoing?" The answer soon came clear. Long enough so there is plenty of wood to hold firmly onto the miter gauge. The longest 3/4" piece was 5 1/2ft. This piece had a large un-dadoed piece in the middle. (this center was turned into many single notched logs) (Oh yeah! could have cross cut off the middle, but didn't want to change out of the dado blade.)

There was always scrap pieces left on the ends of my scrap after dadoing. This is where I cut a lot of the smallest logs. Yes! I had scrap left from my scrap, even after cutting the one notchers.

Then came the crosscutting to length. 3/8" was left on the end of each chosen notch.

Frankly, I was surprised (shouldn't have been) when a 1/2" roundover bit produced round logs. Actually mine have a narrow 1/8" flat on the top and the bottom. I had anticipated square logs with rounded edges. Guess you can get this by using a 1/4" roundover.

When routing, I used a feather board to press vertically, while feeling secure in using fingers to hold the log to the fence and push it through. The dados/notches give a good solid place to push. However, another feather board would hold the board up to the fence and is advisable. A squared edge of the 3/4" X3/4" was always up against the table and the fence. The only exception was the last 1/2" of the board. The routing was easier than expected.

Unfortunately, I cut most of the dadoes at the 3" interval. This made the longer logs all have un-used notches along the back and sides of a cabin. I'm now in the process of making the long logs without the center notches.

Still have to do the "half logs". They will fit on the bottom and top rows.

Haven't yet decided if I'll make the type of roof rafters shown in the plans. I think I remember rafters having notches to fit over half logs and another notch to support the bottom roof plank.

I'll try to remember to take photos of the process on the added logs and roof.

I love the idea of making the toy logs. What a great way to use up scrap from the shop. It looks like you are using red oak in the pictures. Is it coming out the way you wanted them to or would you use a different wood in the future?