One of the major reasons I love woodworking is to build things of emotional value, in this age of rampant consumerism. Handmade heirloom wooden toys are something no made-in-china plastic electronic gadget can beat in terms of value and the sheer amount of fun a kid can have.
I wanted to build classic toys since I took up this hobby in 2006. I had to wait till my friends started having kids, but in the meantime I made a bunch of furnitures and gizmos to justify my addiction for tools. I did learn enough to design according to my time at hand, and turn it into a product. The hardest part is figuring out the exact sequence of operations. It is not uncommon to do everything well and then glue on the wrong side right before the final assembly !
I got this idea from John Michael Linck’s riding airplane model. I only needed to know the exterior dimensions and I designed the parts according to my own plan. I just hope my friend’s kid finds it comfortable when she starts walking in a few months.
For the curious, the wood is softwood pine. The top wing span is 24″ and the fuselage is about 28″. For the wheels I used omnidirectional casters from home depot. A jigsaw was needed to cut the curved fuselage. The round profile of the wood is done in a router after corner rounding on the drill press with a sanding drum. Joinery is mostly glue since I wanted to minimize screws on a toy. I hope it will hold.
Can’t wait to see this toy in action early next year. Maybe I will see a pilot’s logbook with imaginary flight plans very soon.
#1 by Motographer on October 19, 2009 - 12:50 am
Awesome Joy! Lovely finish too.
#2 by Motographer on October 19, 2009 - 12:17 pm
Awesome Joy! Lovely finish too.
P.S.: Wanted to say great post!
#3 by Towel Rails on November 22, 2010 - 1:06 am
there are wooden toys that uses artificial wood which lasts longer compared to organic wood :`,
#4 by playmobil airport on December 22, 2010 - 2:34 am
Very talented! Wood works are really amazing because it takes patience and talent to make a good product. Even though its not moving some people still appreciate that kind of toy.
#5 by Leanne on April 4, 2011 - 9:12 pm
Yeah you are right aboud woodworks. You kind of feel more towards your end results because it took real effort and you can see it.
nice work over there. Sometimes how i wsh life’s success is like woodworks, something that you can hold and see your results lol
thanks
leanne
webmaster, Luminess Air
#6 by Jenje on April 8, 2011 - 5:52 am
Fantastic woodcraft! You are a consummate artist. The wood airplane was very nice. Perfect carving and well made. My son will surely like it. He was fond of making things out of something. I always bought him puzzled wood that can be formed into airplane, ship, house and animals. The wood airplane was so creative and beautiful.
#7 by Taylor on August 11, 2011 - 2:24 pm
This looks like something I might be able to accomplish with my own limited wood working skills.
I love working with wood, but I’m far from gifted at it as you appear to be. Many of my projects have become firewood, but its about pressing on and trying to get better, and working on projects that you have a genuine interest in. My little guys would love a wood plane like this one.
#8 by paul on October 4, 2011 - 4:10 pm
MY boys(both under 3)would absolutely go nuts!!!!
#9 by Annie on October 27, 2011 - 7:30 am
Hey Joy
That is one nice creation, imagine it in mahogany!
Annie C