Toy-Maker Magazine

Finally got around to picking up a copy of the annual Toy-Maker Magazine (2007/2008 ) from Skills Publishing.

This year has been so full on (not the least of which being this website), that I didn’t get close to writing an article for it. Had a pretty fair showing in it last year (article reprinted [...]

Bandsawn Castles

One of my work colleagues bought one in for me to have a look at. I have a book with plans for a few, but had never seen one in-person before, so thought I’d put some photos of it here for you as well.

This one starts off as any other lump of branch, with [...]

Happy New Year!

Boy was last year a big one - so much going on, think I only took about 3 breaths all year!
So onto the new: I haven’t gotten my head around just what I want to achieve this year, but it will certainly involve in keeping things moving forward.
This site is now just over 6 months [...]

Work-in-progress Dinosaur #3

Thought I’d post a pic of the dino that I’ve been working on. Currently at the test-assembly stage. You can still see the remains of the pattern from the plans I photocopied, then stuck to the prepared timber. The timber was originally 19mm stock that I resawed on the bandsaw, then ran [...]

Router Bit of-the-Month (November)

With the upgrade to the blog (and the new template that gave me the extra column), I was able to make use of the new real estate to add the ‘featured router bit and tool’ (and I may expand this further if new ideas hit me).
Both have featured in videos recently, but I didn’t [...]

Clubhouse Furniture

It may not be every kid’s dream to have a playhouse, but it is for many, and what better than having one fully furbished! A wooden stove and sink make great additions for hours of imaginative play, and quality, handmade wooden furniture beats modern commercial plastic junk every day of the week.

These designs use [...]

Episode 11 Router Bit Carbitool Wheel Cutter

Carbitool Wheel Cutter
Carb-i-tool is a Melbourne manufacturing company, producing very high quality router bits in a myriad of styles and designs. One of their rather unique designs is the Wheel Cutter. It comes in 3 sizes - 40mm, 50mm and 60mm. It is not strictly a router bit, as it is designed to be used [...]

Rail and Stile Router Bits

Had a chance today to try out the stacked rail & stile router bit that Carb-i-tool have kindly sent me for a new “router bit of-the-month” segment. In the past, I have always used a matched pair set of bits, but I have quickly become a convert to the stacked set version. With the [...]

Episode 05 Wooden Thread Cutting

Wooden Thread Cutting
Cutting a thread in metal is a relatively easy affair, especially with the thread-chasing tools available for lathes. How cool would it be, to be able to easily produce a wooden thread - imagine all the applications! Tools, height adjustable stools, toys, wooden vice etc etc!
This video demonstrates a very, very [...]

Episode 03 Scrollsaw Dinosaur

Scrollsaw Dinosaur
Scrollsaws are often used to produce very incricate pieces, but a cheap one is perfectly good for making some really cool kids’ toys.
Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4), Flash Video (.flv)
(Right-click, and select “Save Link As”) Best video quality is achieved by downloading then playing the mp4 version.

Dinosaur bones discovered in Melbourne!

I was out near my shed yesterday, and discovered……

Made from plans in a book on scrollsaw dinosaurs, it stands around 2′ high, and was made with a combination of the scrollsaw and bandsaw. A video podcast briefly covering the construction will be available shortly.
To finish, it is currently being glued up, and then will [...]