In the works

in the works
Originally uploaded by Rusted Hammer

Three projects I'm working on. The dino is more of the same, just different shapes. The lady on the podium is a variation on the same style but still simple. It is cool to try different designs though.

The plane is pushing it for me, doing things a little more complex. I got some neat designs for toys for my birthday that will challenge me as well so I'm excited to try them out next.

I love making toys.

Now with paint

train with flash
Originally uploaded by Rusted Hammer

It's not Thomas but I'm pretty happy overall. Need to do something different with the wheels and lighten up that blue paint.

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.

Further Along

1st train
Originally uploaded by Rusted Hammer

With project number two. All cut and sanded. Maybe. These will be painted I think.

Finshed!

This first one is as done as it is going to get.

Among the lessons leaned:

• The way the grain goes is more important than maximizing the wood. The camel’s leg broke but glued together well, would not have broke had I cut it right.
• Axel holes in the center of the legs don’t leave enough room for hooks and eyes.
• Use smaller hooks and eyes. Too bad I bought so many today.

Other animal trains will be painted or have tribal designs on them, maybe different stains for wheels and bodies as well as plain.

Now back to the other train I started.

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.

Next Steps

Finally got out there and did some more work on the circus train:



Pretty happy with it as a learning process. I need to get better at sanding or get a better tool for it. I may resort to buying wheels rather than making them given the time it took versus what I could pay for them.



Still need to add eyes and hook so they can all link up. Ears, horns, tails and maybe some paint as well.