From a plan in the "GREAT BOOK OF WOODEN TOYS" by Norm Marshall and Bill Jones, published by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc.
Some notes on the toy and the book:
- A purist might object to my use of wood screws to attach/reinforce the fenders. The plan calls for sanded-flush dowels to do that. I'm not a purist, and sanding dowels flush is a pain in the neck. Aesthetically, I have no problem with the odd metal fastener on a wooden toy. Needless to say, any such fastener must be absolutely secure.
- Norm Marshall was a brilliant designer -- all of the projects in the book are exquisite. The workmanship evidenced in the photographs is sublime.
- That said, I take exception to the book's subtitle -- "More Than 50 Easy-to-Build Projects". Hmmm. I suppose that 'Difficult-to-Build' would not advance book sales, but it would be closer to the truth. A reasonably good execution of the toys' plans demands a well equipped workshop, and a pretty good mastery of the machinery and tools therein. A marginally equipped beginning woodworker is likely to be frustrated. Many aspects of the builds are technically challenging.
- The text is often light on specifics. Something like the following doesn't cut it for me: "Lay out the fenders (G) on a piece of stock; then use a bandsaw or scroll saw to cut them out." The pictured fenders are flawless. They were not likely produced on a bandsaw -- a typical bandsaw blade is a rough-cutting beast. I'd like to know what machine, with what manner of blade, the author used to get such a perfect outcome.
- The drafting leaves a bit to be desired in some cases.
Anyway, there are my quibbles with the book. By all means acquire the book and proceed to produce some delightful toys but be warned, the toys are not `easy-to-build`.
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