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Contributed by Teresa Bohannon
Another gift that people love to give and recieve are the homemade variety. In some households these handmade wooden presents become heirlooms that are handed down from one generation to the next. Designing and making a wooden toy train is a wonderful way to combine two traditions. The toy train engines and cars are linked with small magnets, rather than hooks, which make them safer for young children who have a tendency to pop the wooden cars into their mouths. Wheels can be made from wood turned on a lathe, or you can purchase plastic wheels.
You're going to have to decide what kind of assembly process you're going to use for your wooden train project. A dowel assembly system is the process of using wooden 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 downside to the system is that regular wear and tear along with changes in weather cause wood to shrink and you will have to periodically reglue the wooden train.  Many inexperienced woodworkers opt to use small nails or screws to hold the pieces of wood together. Although experienced woodworkers frown on this method, there is nothing wrong with using nails or screws provided you make sure that there aren't any sharp edges. Nails should be inset and the holes filled with plastic wood filler. Screws should be brass and screwed in enough so no sharp edges protrude. Screws are a secure way to fasten the peices of wood together. If this is the method you prefer, make sure that the wooden train is periodically examined to make sure that none of the screws has worked loose. Brass screws are preferred because they are more attractive, especially against dark coloured wood. The use of a good strong glue is especally recommended. There are several brands of white glue available in any hardware store. Excess white glue can be wiped up with a wet rag while the glue is wet. It is also a safe way to create a toy that you are planning to give to a young child. Check the toy from time to time to make sure that the glue is staying stuck. When handling strong woodworking glue, be sure to take precautions, you don't want to have your hand permanently stuck to a wooden train. What type of wood are you going to use -- hardwood or softwood? The first thing you should know is that just because they are called hardwood and softwood does not mean that the wood you will be using is hard or soft, all the terms do is clarify whether or not they are from coniferous or decidous trees. Softwood is coniferous, it typically comes from pine or spruce trees. Hardwood is deciduous; it comes from trees that shed thier leaves every autumn. You should avoid using cedar, unless it is really well maintained because it can easily splinter.  If you are giving the toy to a young child (one who sticks everything in his mouth), avoid the use of oak, which is toxic when ingested. If you are considering an exotic hardwood, check and make sure it isn't a toxic wood. The wood you are using should be planed or cut into pieces that won't break easily; the thicker the wood the less likely it will be to break in the middle of your project. Also bear in mind that not all types of wood absorb stains. When you are staining the wood make sure you are using a non-toxic stain that is child-safe. Find a set of instructions that are easy to follow. Keep them in a safe place where they won't get lost and adhere to them. Leave yourself plenty of time. Building a wooden train could be a much larger, and more difficult project then you anticipate. Once you become adept at making wooden trains, you may want to try your hand at creating miniature wooden structures and accessories to add to the toy train layout. About the Author:Teresa Bohannon is the owner and operator of Lady Web. |
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Toy
trains have almost become as much a symbol of Christmas time
as reindeer, snowflakes, and hot chocolate. Almost every Christmas
movie ever made features the heartwarming shot of a beutifully
decorated Christmas tree with an enormous pile of presents piled
under it, and a toy train circling the perimeter.
Many
wooden trains, other than the pull toys, are designed to work
with a wooden track that has interlocking connecting fingers
at the ends; the fingers look like pieces of a puzzle. This kind
of track is called "Brio-compatible", after the Biro
company which is the most famous wooden train manufacturer in
the world.
