subject: Getting Started With Building A Toy Train [print this page] Author: Amy Wells Author: Amy Wells
Toy trains have nearly become as much a image of Christmas time as reindeer, snowflakes, and hot chocolate. Almost each Christmas movie ever created features the heartwarming shot of a beutifully adorned Christmas tree with an enourmous pile of presents piled below it, and a toy train circling the perimeter.
Another gift that individuals love to offer and recieve are the homemade variety. In some households these handmade presents become picket heirlooms that are handed down from one generation to the next.
Coming up with and creating a wood toy train may be a wonderful approach to combine 2 traditions.
Your going to have to determine what assembly method to use for your wooden train project.
A dowel assembly system is the method of using wood nails and non-toxic glue to hold the peices of wood together. The upside to a using a dowel assembly is that it maintains the purity of the wood. The draw back to the system is that regular wear and tear together with changes in weather cause wood to shrink and you'll have to periodically must reglue the picket train.
Several inexperinced woodworkers favor using nails to hold the pieces of wood together. Although experinced woodworkers frown on this method, there is nothing wrong with using nails provided you make positive that there aren't any sharp edges.
Screws are a secure means to lock the peices of wood together. If is the method you like, make certain that the picket train is periodically examined to make sure that none of the screws have worked thier manner loose.
The employment of a smart sturdy glue is an especally good idea. It's also a safe manner to make a toy that you're coming up with to give to a young child. Check the toy once in a while to be certain that the glue is staying stuck. When handling strong woodworking glue be certain to require precautions, you do not need to possess your hand permenently stuck to a picket train.
What type of wood you are going to use? Hardwood or softwood? The primary factor you should apprehend is that just as a result of they're called hardwood and softwood will not mean that the wood you may be using is tough or soft, all the terns do is clarify wether or not they are from coniferous or desidous trees Softwood is descious, it comes from Pine trees. Hardwood is coniferous it comes from trees that shed thier leaves every fall.
You should avoid using Cedar, unless it is very well maintained it can splinter. If you're giving the toy to a young kid (one who sticks everything in their mouth) avoid the employment of Oak, which is toxic when ingested. If you are considering an exotic hardwood check and make positive it is not a toxic wood. The wood you're using should be planed into peices of wood that wont break simply, the thicker the wood the less likly it can be to break in the center of your project. Remember, not all varieties of wood absorb stains. When you are staining the wood build certain you're employing a non-toxic stain that is childsafe.
Find a collection of directions that are simple to follow. Keep them in a very safe place where they wont wander off and make sure to adhere to them.
Leave yourself masses of time. Building a wooden train may be a much larger, and more difficult project then you anticipate.
Once you become adept at making wooden trains, you'll need to strive your hand at creating miniture wood structures for traditional toy train layouts, and garden railroads.About the Author:
