How to make an activated turtle pull toy

 Hi everybody.  I feel like it is time to make something for the kiddies. This is fun for me too.   I love making toys.  This was an interesting  project and I think it came out pretty good.  Gave me a chance to use a bunch of different tools and skills.   We are going to make a turtle with head and tail movements 

Check out this little short video, just to see the movement we are after

Ok playtime is over, let's  get started

Equipment and supplies 

Rounded gourd piece (something that looks like a turtle shell shape)

1/4" plywood piece (big enough to cover the bottom of the turtle shell

thin scrap wood

2 x 2" pine  approx 6"

4 small wood wheels

Wood glue

Proxxon mini jigsaw

Proxxon OZIE delta sander

Proxxon mini bandsaw

Proxxon disc sander

(2) 1/4" dowels 12" long

Plaid paints

Proxxon angle grinder (optional)

drill and drill bits

here is a rough outline of what we are going to do.

First thing to do is to cut the bottom off a gourd.  This is done easily with the Proxxon mini jigsaw.

set this aside for now.

Next draw a rough picture of a turtle head on the 2x2

 piece.   Do the same for the turtle's tail. Cut it out on 

Note how it is drawn on 2 sides.  We are going to cut this out on the Proxxon's mini bandsaw  to give us a rough shape of our head and tail to start with.

Next take the two pieces to the Proxxon disc sander and shape them into your head and tail pieces.

Back to the turtle shell.   Lay it on top of your 1/4" plywood piece and trace an outline on the wood.  Extend your line about 1/2" larger than the gourd "shell"  Then cut it out on the Proxxon mini bandsaw.

Note where you are going to put the head and tail and cut out a semi rounded notch that will fit the turtle's neck and tail.    Do the same on the gourd shell.  Make sure the head and tail will fit and have room to move.

Now for the mechanical part.

Wheels first.  

Drill a hole about half way through the wheel off center  see above.   Hopefully there is already a center hole that goes all the way through.  Make sure your dowel rotates easily in the center hole but is held tight in the offset holes. Cut 2 dowel pieces into 4" pieces.     Drill a generous hole in the turtles neck through which the offset dowel will go through and glue the dowel in the wheel holes.  Make sure the wheels are lined up with the holes in the lowest position.  Do the same for the tail.

Lay your head and tail wheel assemblies on the bottom of the turtle base and mark a square to be cut out that will allow the mechanics to be partially submerged into the body.

Cut out the square using the Proxxon mini jigsaw.

  

Now take your small pieces of wood you cut out earlier and drill a 1/4" hole where the offset axle will go.  See picture below.  I used tape on the dowel to keep the tail in the middle but really it did not need it.  Note the centered axle is just a short piece of dowel glued into the hole and the wheel spins freely on it.

 

Glue the turtle shell onto the bottom of the turtle with mechanics inside. The raised piece we glued to the bottom goes inside the turtle shell.

Glue some feet on and paint your turtle.  On the picture above I used the proxxon angle grinder to carve a pattern on the turtle shell.  this step of course in optional but fun to try.

I used plaid paints to paint my turtle.  Then I attached a string to make him a pull-toy.  He works good.  His tail and head really get moving.   I think the kids will have some fun with him.👧👨

 

Honestly it wasn't that hard to make.  It took a little patience is all.   Thank you all for visiting.  Thanks to Proxxon, my favorite tool maker!, and Plaid my favorite paint maker  

Catch you next time....  Carol

How to make a swinging chair bird feeder

Hi everyone.   Hope you are all enjoying early spring this year.  I know it is a bit different than are usual with the virus and all, but I am choosing to look at this as an opportunity of time.   We have time now to pursue our hobbies if we want to.   Today I want to show you how to make a cute little birdfeeder.   I saw something similar at my friend's house and thought it was cute, so I came home, drew a picture and then some plans.   We can make this!!

Supplies and equipment:

1/4" plywood

Proxxon mini table saw

Proxxon mini band saw

Proxxon OZI/E delta sander

1" nails

wood glue

clamps

6" of 12-14 gauge wire

chain or string to hang feeder

paint primer  

Plaid paints

sealer of your choice

First thing I did was to lay out my pattern on my piece of plywood.   I chose to cut the tray pieces using the Proxxon mini table saw.   It is soooo very much easier putting a "box" together if the pieces are cut straight and square.  Proxxon's mini table saw is a precision instrument and perfect for this job.  I used the fence to ensure perfect straight cuts.

I used the Proxxon mini bandsaw to make my cuts in the chair part of this project.

Now that my pieces are cut, I will start the assembly.   First to build the feeder box.   I want to glue and then nail my sides to the bottom.   I have only one corner clamp so I will do one corner first with glue and the clamp then let it dry well.   I am determined to keep this thing square.

  

When it is dry I use small nails to add strength to the joint, then I do the opposite side.

To make the chair back from my cut pieces I lay out the back pieces and spread them so they have equal spaces between them.  I want them to span 10 inches (across the back of the box.)and leave 1/2" at each end.  Then I nail them to the back brace.  The top of the brace should be 4 1/4" from the bottom.  This is going to support the arm of the chair.  Glue it then nail them.

  

Add the arm supports to the side of the chair and secure them with glue and nails, then lay the arm with the pointy end towards the back, supported on the back brace and the rounded end nailed to the  supports.  

Sand everything really well using the Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.  This sander is made to get into all the nooks and crannies.  

Time to decorate.   But, first things first.   This is going outside so I paint every exposed piece with some Kilz It primer.  Pay special attention the the end grains as they are prone to suck up moisture if not sealed well.   When the primer is dry.  Paint as you like.   I chose a beach scene.   I used Plaid paints for their vibrant colors.  

My plaid paint palette is as follows:   902 Taffy, 524E Calypso sky, 2050 Black, 

  20225E bright blue, 99262E Aqua sky, 21482E bimini blue, 21884E Snow white,  21473E pale daffodil.

When the paint is dry, be sure to seal it with the sealer of your choice.  I used Krylon triple thick as it doesn't seem to break down or yellow when exposed outdoors. 

To hang it I used the Proxxon professional rotary tool to drill a hole in each arm at the point where the chair would sit level.  I determined this by using one finger to support the chair on either side till I found the perfect spot.   Then I took my wire and made a loop slipping the other side through the hole where I bent it and it so it wouldn't slip out.

I suggest a light chain to hang it but I used clothesline cord because....well it is what I had on hand.😅

Find a pretty place and hang it.  I've never had a bird feeder that the birds didn't love!!

Thanks for visiting.   Thank you Proxxon for providing the fine tools used in this blog.   And thank you Plaid for your fine paint.  If you enjoyed this please leave a short comment so I know you've been here.   Thanks so much!

Hope to see you next time.   Take care,  Carol