ISSUE 8
Toys For
Owen page 4
Cutting Windows page 8
1
Letter from Editor The Magnetism of Wood Toys When I tell people what I do for a living, that I work for a company that designs Wood Toy Plans, it is more times than not met with the customary “People still make wood toys?” response. I respond with the stats of our customer base and the stats of woodworkers in general across the globe. They are astounded that there are that many people still doing this. Anytime I have one of our designs in tow I am constantly asked about the toy. People are drawn to them. It is a nostalgia for them that reminds them of something in the past. While visiting a friend in the hospital this week, I stopped at the cafeteria for lunch with one of our Mini Boy 10 Minute 2x4 Truck builds in hand, and the cashier wanted to hold it. She said it reminded of her late brother who used to make wood toys in the country she emigrated from. Even the other cafeteria workers were very interested. It amazes me how people are drawn to wood toys and builds. After I built the Mercedes Lorry, which is one of the 3 free plans you can find at 2
ToymakingPlans.com my 11 year old son Aiden immediately claimed ownership of it. This is a kid who has a computer, xbox, and a phone. However he was drawn to the wood toy I had built and it never leaves his side now. The appeal of wood toys doesn’t surpise me anymore. Also the appeal of woodworking doesn’t surprise me anymore as I have taken to it like a moth to a flame. It calms my nerves and it allows me to relax and focus on the build. Kenneth Smith Creative Marketing/Social Media Director
Submitting Your Story Want to see your work highlighted in the pages of WTW? Just drop us a line, telling us a bit about yourself and answer our seven questions. 1. How long have you been making toys? 2. Who or what was your initial inspiration? 3. Did you have any early roadblocks? 4. What has been your favorite Toy Build project? 5. What does Toy Making mean to/for you? 6. Favorite tool in your shop? 7. If you could pass one piece of advice on to a new Toy Maker, what would that be? We especially want to see your work made from our plan sets. Please e-mail images with up to six images attached to each e-mail. You can send them directly to us at: woodtoyweekly@toymakingplans.com
Contents
Visit Us on Social Media
Follow our Community on these social media platforms as well. facebook.com/toymaking
twitter.com/toymakingplans
Toys for Owen: Scott Jabbour page 4
Cutting Windows page 8
instagram.com/toy_making_plans
Photo Gallery
www.pinterest.com/ woodtoyforumgallery/wood-toy-plans/
Free Patterns
page 9
page 10
www.toymakingplans.com
Submitting Your Photos Try to include a broad selection of images providing the reader with a comprehensive view of your work. Include vertical as well as horizontal format images. Consider your background, try to not have too much going on in the background. Nothing beats a good workshop setting. We especially want to see your work made from our plan sets. Good photos greatly increases the chance of material being accepted. Digital images shot at high resolution with a camera of at least 6 megapixels assures a decent image. Low-resolution digital photos don’t work well. Please e-mail images with up to six images attached to each e-mail. You can send them directly to us at: woodtoyweekly@toymakingplans.com
3
Meet Scott Jabbour My name is Scott Jabbour. I reside in Fayetteville, NC but am originally from Pennsylvania.
where I really got to put my band saw to work. Using a jig to make the wheels on my table saw was fun also.
Currently, I am a 6th grade math teacher where I often refer to how I use various forms of mathematics to help create my projects. I made my first wooden toy three years ago, since then they’ve become one of my favorite things to create!
Toy making has become my way of relaxing. I enjoy getting out in my shop with a cup of coffee just as the morning light is shining in. Something about that is just peaceful. Toy making also brings me a lot of joy. Knowing I’ve made my son and other children smile because of something I created is priceless.
“My initial inspiration was when I found out my wife was pregnant with our now 2-1/2 year old, Owen. After finding out we were expecting a boy, I decided he needed some hand crafted wooden toys. The first toy I ever built was a fighter jet for him.”
My favorite tool in my shop is my table saw. I have the Rigid R4512. It was my first major upgrade to my saw collection.
Since then, my woodworking has shifted from furniture making to smaller items like toys. I would say my earliest roadblocks were from a lack of tools. My wooden toys have really improved since I was able to purchase a scroll saw. My favorite build would have to be an old Ford monster truck. It was the first project
4
A piece of advice I would pass on to a new Toy Maker would be don’t show people the mistakes in projects. Chances are, they’ll go unnoticed anyway and you’ll be the only person to know about them. Also, you don’t need the fanciest saws and tools to make some well built toys. Work with what you have. If you sell your items, don’t forget to include your worth into the prices you quote. Most of my wooden toys are displayed in my classroom. Aside from woodworking my other hobbies include golf and enjoying a good craft beer. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and son.
Some of Scott’s Builds
Toys For Owen
Editor’s Notes: I wanna thank Scott for his contribution to the magazine and his awesome builds. His work in educating our youth is extremely valuable.
5
Toys For Owen
6
7
Cutting Windows On Wood Toys We get a lot of requests for tips and tutorials on a variety of subjects. One of the most recent requests was from a newer wood toy builder who wanted to know how to cut windows out of wood toys. This process generally starts after you have cut out the body. In this instance a wood toy car. For this particular window I drilled three large holes in the window area. Now we’ll move on to the scroll saw.
After you have cut the body out, with the window drawn by hand or from a pattern, you’re going to need to drill a hole inside the window. You’ll be placing your scroll saw blade This is the step where you remove the scroll through the hole so you can complete the saw blade from the top and slide the toy over window cut out. the blade, through the drilled hole. You may have to remove the blade completely on some scroll saw models. At this point you can follow the window line with the blade and cut out the window. Below is the finished result.
I like to drill out several holes to give myself ample room to work with and it’s less material to cut out of the body to make he window.
8
We hope you found this helpful, if you have a request for a specific tutorial or tip drop us an email at woodtoyweekly@toymakingplans.com
WTW Photo Gallery
Built by Forum member: benny
Built by Forum member: kstano83
Built by Forum member: craigrozema
Built by Forum member: tbnsr
Built by Forum member: connie
Visit and Join our worldwide community Forum at: https://toymakingplans.com/toymakers-forum/ 5
9
Fun FREE Plan Scary Halloween Villains Simply print this page, cut out the pieces and stick’m to some wood and start making sawdust. Remember that there isn’t any scrap wood, just pieces not yet used.
Best cut from 1/4”, 1/2”, or 3/4” wood stock. 10
PHOTO CONTEST RULES
1. Must be completely made of wood 2. Must be a car built from one of our three selected car plans (Hill Billy Hot Rods, Hot Rod Jamboree or 1930 Rat Rod) 3. Photos must be received by November 25th. Judging will take place the first week of December. Email entries to: contest@toymakingplans.com 4. MUST HAVE FUN BUILDING IT!
PRIZES
Best in Show - $100 Home Depot Card The PISTOL Trophy, A Feature in the Wood Toy Weekly Best Painted & Best Natural $25 Home Depot Card Two Honorable Mentions $10 Home Depot Card Questions:
contest@toymakingplans.com
11