| Project by JohnGreco | posted 1218 days ago | 923 views | 0 times favorited | 5 comments |  |
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This is a train that I make for kids. No paint, no finish of any sort and no metal connectors. Sanded to 400 grit.
The steam tank and bases are made from Poplar, the engineer’s cab and coal cart sides are made from Red Oak, and the wheels, smokestacks and headlights are Maple. I wanted to make sure this was truly an heirloom quality toy, so every joint is reinforced with Birch dowels, which is also what was used for the connector pin.
I wanted the coal cart to be functional for kids to put stuff inside and have the train carry it around, so I departed from the traditional sloped sides in favor of more of a boxed look.
Since making this I’ve picked up a lathe, so I think the next version will have a more fancy steam tank. Thanks for looking :)
-- John
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5 comments so far
David Craig
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2127 posts in 1281 days
#1 posted 1218 days ago
Sweet looking train. I know my oldest would love it, he is big into trains and likes models of them in every shape and size. There are many kid friendly paints and finishes out there. I definitely understand the desire for kid friendliness, but little fingers are rarely clean ;) and poplar is a very light wood.
Great job and thank you for sharing,
David
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
JohnGreco
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272 posts in 1227 days
#2 posted 1218 days ago
Thanks, David :) I hear what you’re saying about kid-friendly paints, but the CPSIA law does not allow for any paint on children’s items unless verified by a CPSC certified lab to be 90 ppm lead or less. Hopefully Congress listens to the report the CPSC recently filed and makes some changes to the law.
-- John
David Craig
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2127 posts in 1281 days
#3 posted 1218 days ago
I hear you John. I didn’t know whether the train was a sales item or something kept within the family. Yes, it is sad that a rash of recalls on imported toys would create a hardship for those making them in America. Not like lead paint is available at your local Walmart or Home Depot.
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
a1Jim
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87370 posts in 1749 days
#4 posted 1218 days ago
Fun train project
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
hunter71
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1268 posts in 1359 days
#5 posted 1217 days ago
Look out, you’ll get hooked. I started with trains like yours. My last one took 100’s of hours.
-- A childs smile is payment enough.
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