Woodworker's Journal 1983-7-3, страница 40

Toy Car with Boat & Trailer

By C.J. Maginley

Here's a toy that doesn't require a single battery. Instead, it gets its power from another source - a child's imagination. Reasons, it seems, that make a toy like this very worthwhile.

Poplar was used for all parts except the mahogany stripe down the center of the car. Although pine can be used, it's generally better to use hardwoods for toys because, over the years, they will offer better resistance to dents and scratches.

Begin by making the two sides (parts A). Rip 5/4 in. stock (1 Vt in. actual thickness) to V% in. width, then cut to length. Lay out and mark the location of the wheel hole centerpoints and, using a l'/i in. Forstner bit, bore the holes to a depth of Vt in. Before drilling, clamp a strip of scrap stock along the bottom edge of part A. This will help prevent the wood from splintering as the hole is bored.

Cut the stripe (part B) and the center (part C) to size, then glue to parts A. Use several clamps to insure good contact between all glue surfaces. Allow to dry overnight.

Readers who do not have a Forstner bit can use an alternate method to make the body. As shown on the drawing detail, the two outer sections are made from V» in. thick stock while the three inner sections are made from Va in, stock. On the outer sections, lay out the location of the wheel hole center-points, then use a compass to scribe the curve. Cut out with a band, saber, or jig saw and sand smooth. The outer and inner sections can now be glued

and clamped.

To make the top (part D), cut V* in, thick stock to a width of 2V» in. and a length of 3Vt in. To bevel the front and back edge, set the table saw blade to an angle of about 36 degrees and use the miter gauge to make the cut. In order to have adequate bearing surface on the miter gauge, it will be necessary to clamp an auxiliary fence (see drawing). Take care to keep fingers away from the sawblade. Now, the top can be assembled to the body (parts A and B) with glue and clamps.

Carefully locate the centerpoint of the two axles then bore 5/16 in. diameter holes through the body.

The car wheels (parts H) can be made to the dimensions shown or purchased from the company Love-Built Toys, Inc., 2907 Lake Forest Road, Ta-hoe City, CA 95730. The addition of the bumper (part E) and the hitch (part F) completes the assembly of the car.

I he trailer and boat are made as shown on the drawing. The pegs (parts K) and trailer wheels (parts P) can also be purchased from Love-Built, The back (part L) is free to pivot on one of the pegs, allowing it to be opened to "unload" the boat. To accomplish this, one peg goes through a 5/16 in. hole in part L and is glued to part 1. The other peg is glued to part L so that Vt in, extends through. This then fits into a 5/16 in. hole in part I.

Give all parts a thorough final sanding, rounding all corners and sharp edges. The best non-toxic finish is none at all. W\J[