| Project by Woodshopfreak | posted 638 days ago | 524 views | 3 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
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This is a fun little project. I made it about a month ago in two days. I made it for a school project. It was actually all made of 2X4’s and a few dowel rods. I had to cut around all the knots in the 2X4 and if you look, there is absolutely no knots in the front car. There was a knot in the second car but I hid it right behind the wheel. My bandsaw came in handy for these tiny cuts. I went off of a picture I saw, and modified it a little and I made the smoke stack in a very interesting way. I don’t have a lathe, so that was out of the question, and I didn’t buy it, I actually took a peice of 1 5/8 inch dowel rod and I drilled a hole in the center. Then I put a bolt through it with a nut on the end. After this I mounted it in my drill press. I then clamped a peice of scrap to the side, kind of like a tool rest, and used a chisle to shape it. It was pretty cool. I did the same method for the rounding of the wheel exept with sandpaper instead of a chisle. I wish I had a lathe because I want to start turning bowls and pens for the most part and I have a really cool plan for a orniment in my WOOD magazine. I was going to paint this train, but I figured that It was a school project, plus then I would have to prime it, and I was to lazy to do all of that work so I just left it the way it is. I also didn’t want to stain or finish it because I have tried staining part of a 2X4 and it doens’t look that great so. I think it came out well even though it has no color.
-- Tyler, Illinois
11 comments so far
juniorjock
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790 posts in 662 days
posted 638 days ago
Looks good Tyler. I think I like it unfinished too. When you think about it, if a toddler or small child got a hold of it to play with, the first thing they’d want to do is pop it in their mouth. This way there’s nothing to worry about as far as the finish is concerned. Another good project.
-- JJ...... I guess you could say I'm a 54 year old "juniorjock". — Make things with wood.
CharlieM1958
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7666 posts in 1115 days
posted 638 days ago
Nice job, Tyler!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Scott Bryan
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20733 posts in 719 days
posted 638 days ago
This is a really cool project, Tyler. Very innovative job on the smoke stack. You are an intelligent and resourceful young man.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Grumpy
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14932 posts in 748 days
posted 638 days ago
Great train Tyler. Well done.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
ShannonRogers
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370 posts in 685 days
posted 638 days ago
Tyler, great thinking on the stack. Woodworkers are some of the most innovative people I know and you just proved that point. Careful what you wish for on the lathe. You will find that it is addictive. I bought my first lathe a few years ago and now everyone I know either has one of my pens or wants one. Once you start turning you have caught the sickness. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing more of your stuff.
-- Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.rogersfinewoodworking.com/blog
toyguy
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724 posts in 734 days
posted 638 days ago
A tip of the Hat to you Tyler:
A an age of 13 you have have already shown a great deal of innovation in your thinking…. Heck I was almost 40 before I thought to use my drill press like a lathe. Your toy trian looks great and will make a small kid very happy sometime… Keep up the great work.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 962 days
posted 637 days ago
Tyler you are a breath of fresh air. Your work and thought process is way beyond your young age. You are destined for great things if you work hard and keep that positive “can do” spirit. I really enjoy not only your work, but your writing abilities as well. Your family must be proud of you.
I am just really impressed with the youngsters posting work here – Dave just posted a Blue Ribbon table and he’s even younger than you. Woodworking is in for a treat in the future – which is you guys.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Jiri Parkman
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603 posts in 709 days
posted 637 days ago
Very nice. Good inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
-- Jiri
MsDebbieP
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14162 posts in 1057 days
posted 637 days ago
that’s awesome! Love the train and I really enjoyed reading about how you made it.
My favourite part: then I would have to prime it, and I was to lazy to do all of that work so I just left it the way it is … haha my kind of thinking!!!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
gene
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2165 posts in 780 days
posted 637 days ago
Hi! Tyler
Great post! Keep them coming. Nice Train.
God bless
-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia
aaronmolloy
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117 posts in 677 days
posted 636 days ago
chu chu !!!
-- A. Molloy