Grrrrrrrrrr!

T Rex
Originally uploaded by Rusted Hammer

So some friends are leaving town permanently for Vancouver and we are getting together this weekend with them and their two boys, one older and the other younger than The Dragon. I've had it in mind to make a Dino-Train set so I decided to make a couple of dinos for the boys as going away presents.

Took about three hours to make the two and I'm pretty happy with how they turned out as tests. I'll do them again and I think they will be better from what I learned on these two. Bigger feet to support the axles, longer legs and probably not a Dimetradon. I was told it looks like a turtle.

Next Up

Regular Train
Originally uploaded by Rusted Hammer

From the same book of ideas, the simplest train in there. Really fast to cut this one out with the band saw.

Templates

Today found me off work early so I headed into the garage. I found some ideas for projects that others might like and could be easy enough to make in quantity.

I blew up the plans to working size on the computer then printed out what I needed. Made some modifications to the drawings then traced them onto cardboard. Finally cut them out so I have templates that will last a while.

Note to self -- DON'T USE THICK CARDBOARD! I finally had to use the band saw to cut out the templates. Good part of that is that I got to practice how I will make the cuts and not destroy the blade or the wood. Bad part was I have no idea what cutting cardboard will do to a saw blade.

One day I decided I wanted to make wooden toys

Hopefully they won't suck.

Back in Jr. High in the '80's I took wood shop. It was fun, I learned stuff and the teacher was missing a few fingers (cool!). Ever since then I have had tools and built some stuff. Nothing fancy, but I can make a bookshelf that won't fall over and a stand for the TV that has not yet crashed.

Since we bought a house in 2001 I have been slowly taking over the garage with a table saw here, worktable there. Since our son was born I have seen many toys and kid furniture and thought, "I could make something better than that." I know people say that all the time, but I was finally inspired to try it. I bought a cheap lathe and band saw to round out the shop (still need a belt sander though...) and found some books about how to use all this stuff to create some toys.

I have had several titles in my life but "Toy Maker" seems like it would be a pretty cool one. Besides which, toys are nice and small. How many desks can one house possibly use? I think I have put in or been given about $1,000.00 worth of power tools over the last few years. I have been able to find free lumber at times but all in all not too expensive a hobby. Better tools might make the job easier but for now I dig my set up.

I'll post pictures and describe what I'm doing and maybe meet others who are doing the same. Now off to the garage.