| Project by harvey | posted 936 days ago | 1024 views | 0 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
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One of my hobbies is making antique-style cars, trucks and trains out of various hardwoods. Using large power tools – from table saws to lathes – to create miniature collectibles is a wonderful exercise in precision woodworking.
Because the pieces of wood I work with are small, I like to spray them with finish or paint instead of using a brush. I also hate to set up my large compressor-run spray tools when I’m working on a small job.
I happened upon a great tool at my local paint store that has made life much easier: the Crown Spra-Tool, which sells for around $10 to $15. You place the liquid (paint, stain or any other suitable finish) you wish to spray in a small bottle, which is provided in the kit. Insert the plastic tubing into the bottle, and attach it to the nozzle. Power is supplied by an aerosol can, which can be replaced for a nominal fee. (You can also buy extra plastic bottles and caps to store a large variety of paints, which eliminates the need to clean a bottle when you want to change colors or finishes.)
Woodworking projects like this take a lot of time and require a great deal of detail work, but the end result is worth it. I’ve thought about selling some of the trains I’ve made (pictured here), but the hours invested in creating them could never be compensated. I take pride in displaying them, and I’ll ultimately give them to my grandsons.
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8 comments so far
Ellen
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64 posts in 926 days
posted 926 days ago
I think these are awesome, but I would love to know the woods used and the size of these trains. Are they to “O”-gauge? Very nice work and interesting way to finish them.
-- Ellen -- www.goodadvertising.com/woodwork
harvey
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3 posts in 937 days
posted 926 days ago
Several natural woods were used, including oak, birch, pine and walnut. Pieces were stained with a clear varnish. You can purchase the plans from toysandjoys.com, which lists specs and sizes.
superbabe621
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8 posts in 855 days
posted 855 days ago
Superb idea & work! And thanks for the website.
Dick, & Barb Cain
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5039 posts in 780 days
posted 771 days ago
Nice work, I’m the same as you when it comes to selling, I wouldn’t want to make work out of something that’s fun to do. I do make things as gifts though.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
MsDebbieP
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11909 posts in 641 days
posted 545 days ago
this is amazing! And you challenge yourself by using BIG tools to make SMALL pieces…
People today aren’t likely to pay what they are worth, but I guess when your great-grandchildren are having them appraised they will be surprised at the $$ value that is placed on them.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
PanamaJack
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4453 posts in 558 days
posted 543 days ago
These are fantastic pieces. Keep the great work going.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
TomFran
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2361 posts in 475 days
posted 349 days ago
Amazing detail! Nice train. Thanks for the tip on spraying small projects. It makes sense to me to not have to set up the whole compressor scheme to spray small things like this.
Thanks for sharing your ideas with us!
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
Scott Bryan
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9024 posts in 303 days
posted 161 days ago
Hi Harvey,
You have the distinct honor of posting the first project on this site. This one could not be nicer. You put a lot of detail and imagination into this train. This is a wonderful gift for your grandsons.
Thanks for the post and thanks for being the first to start this process.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.