Sunday, August 17, 2008

A Toy for Noah

Very soon Sylvia and I are headed to Germany. Last month, or so, Sylvia was breezing through my WOOD magazine and saw one of the many cheezy projects they feature. This one happened to be a wooden toy crane. Sylvia's Dad was a crane operator for a good portion of his career (he helped build the Porsche plant in Stuttgart). So, I was asked to build this for our nephew Noah. It's not what I would consider woodworking, but what can I do? I adore my wife and love the little devil known as Noah. If any of you have ever checked one of these toys out, you know it's a little woodworking and mostly assembling a kit. Come to think of it, it may be a good thing to get my tools awake.

I have not forgotten about Bisket's stand. Hopefully, I'll have time to finish that before we head to Germany. The last few weeks I have been focusing on getting the shop a little more functional. When I started Bisket's project, I soon started freaking out because the shop was sooooo disorganized. Since I'm not gonna be building any cabinets in the very near future, I put some exterior doors on some sawhorses and that has helped. I still have a lot to organize, but at least I can somewhat function in the space now. I spent the majority of this morning getting Ken's jointer all ready for work.

On Thursday, Ken and I went to the warehouse and got a few slabs of birch. I looked at some wood that a local place sells and was appalled at the price. Even though this project uses hard maple and walnut in the magazine. Birch will have to do. I really hate sacrificing these for a toy, but again, what can I do?
The really nice thing about this is being able to use my new bandsaw for the first time. LOVED that!! I spent a few hours laying out the pieces I'll need and doing some rough dimensioning. Here's where I am so far.
My buddy Ken said this is called "Canoe Birch", due to the fact the Native Indians in our area used the bark of this particular birch to make canoes. I think it also has more color than other birch wood I've seen.

9 comments:

Kari Hultman said...

I bet Noah will love that toy!

I helped a friend mill a bunch of lumber last Thursday and there is something very satisfying about seeing a stack of rough cut stock turn into dimensioned boards.

Vic Hubbard said...

I love the milling, but I stress a lot while I'm doing it. I get freaked out that if I make a mistake, it's gonna waste wood.

Shazza said...

Noah will love it!

Can you build me one too?

Vic Hubbard said...

Shazza,

I'd have to get my schedule cleared a bit from the stuff Sylvia wants me to do first, but yeah, if you REALLY want one:D

Shazza said...

Oh...you better do what Sylvia wants if you know what's good for you!!!

Pops said...

Vic I love it!
My grandfather was a crane operator and he helped assemble several factories in Detroit... Small world.

Will the whole crane be made out of birch or will be add other accent wood on it?

good luck brother

Vic Hubbard said...

Due to my frugality, it's all birch. I might to a stain some parts for contrast, but my gut reaction is to leave it alone.

Kat Mortensen said...

I don't know much about wood, but I do like it - and collect small pieces of Danish teak. Your blog is unique and interesting - anyone who loves animals is all right in my book!

Your pictures of children are really great as well!

I'd be pleased if you would have a look at my blogs: Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes - www.hyggedigter.blogspot.com

and Culture Clips for Gen-Xers
www.cultclipsgenx.blogspot.com

Thanks! I'll be back!

Have a great time in Deutschland. I've been to Stuttgart, but it was way back in the 70s.

Kat

Vic Hubbard said...

Kat,

Thank you for reading my little blog and more so for leaving a comment. I'm enjoying the experience, so far. I am happy if anything I write is entertaining or at least a bit helpful to others.