Handcrafted wooden toys from trains to cradles to rockers are timeless treasures that you can build yourself! Craftsman and master woodworker Gray Daniel will let you in on the secrets of creating some of his favorite wooden toys, and his first project is a doll's cradle that any little girl couldn't resist.
In this first segment of Wooden Toys, craftsman Gray Daniel shows you how to ...
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create this little girl's treasure -- a doll's cradle!
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Materials:Approximately 24' of 1" x 8" red oak
#0 wood joiner biscuits
3/8" dowels in 2" lengths
Fiberboard (to create a template)
Carpenter's wood glue
Fine-grit sandpaper
Your choice of wood stain and polyurethane sealant Tools: Table saw
Miter saw
Ban saw
Hand drill
Biscuit joiner
Mortise press
Wood sander
Wood chisels
Several adjustable clamps Note: This particular cradle was one of Gray's first designs. It consists of just a few parts -- a headboard, footboard, bottom, rails and stiles. All you need to get started is a plan. Click, right above, for the plans in PDF form. Simply print out and follow the instructions supplied, along with illustrations. The PDF files are in order from Step 1 through Step 6. Here are a few tips concerning the construction of the train: - Gray first created a template out of fiberboard.
- The blank is joined together using 1" football-shaped wooden biscuits.
- Once all the slots are cut and the entire blank is fitted and glued, it's clamped together so it can dry overnight.
- A 10-degree bevel is what gives the cradle a slight downward taper, making the top wider than the bottom, which makes it easier for a child to reach inside.
- To create the bevel, an extra inch should be added to the cut length of the stiles to later form a 1/2" tenon.
- On the cradle bed, the mortise cuts "must" be made at a 10-degree angle for the stiles go fit.
- Brush glue into each mortise to attach the stiles and rails -- and then clamp together. It must sit overnight.
- Once dry the entire cradle can be sanded, stained and sealed.
Here are two more "beauty" shots of the finished Doll's Cradle:
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GUESTS :
Gray Daniel
Wooden Toymaker and Designer
Wooden toymaker Gray Daniel's uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus was the inspiration for his decision to begin designing and building his own wooden toys for children. With a lifelong pursuit in professional woodworking, Gray has more than 20 years experience as a master scenery and props carpenter, working in theaters across the South and East Coast. In addition to building stage scenery, wooden furniture and props for hundreds of theatrical performances, he has been teaching his woodworking skills to university students since 1990 -- currently at West Virginia University, in Morgantown, WV.
A master builder behind the scenes, he also has experience in front of the camera, appearing as an actor in television commercials, instructional training films and more than 200 stage performances -- including professional, community and collegiate theatrical productions.
Over time as his waistline and white beard have grown, so have the number of annual calls he receives to play the role of St. Nick. Several years ago this hobby of playing Santa inspired him to focus his woodworking skills on toy making. Today, physical likeness or not, he prefers to spend his time designing and crafting new and exciting wooden toys to delight children of all ages.
Website: www.Santaswoodentoyshop.com
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