Made this child’s train set for my two year old. It’s all scrap cherry. The wheels are 1.25" in diameter while the bases are 1.5" wide.

The wheels are nailed into pre-drilled holes.

The hitches are sort of a half lap joint with the top half holding a dowel.

8 points

This is really cool. I like the idea of building him a train and adding cars as he ages or something. Maybe paint it with him at some point or something, real heirloom family-keepsake stuff potentially.

Or just let him play with it hard, it’s a toy.

permalink
report
reply
6 points

Thanks! He’s liking it so far so I likely will add a few extra cars. It was the first thing he pulled out this morning so I was pretty chuffed.

Maybe a flat car for hauling his other toys.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

I love it. How did you make the wheels?

permalink
report
reply
4 points

Between centers on the lathe. I first cut out a bunch of thin squares on the bandsaw.

  1. Mark out center
  2. With a compass draw the diameter
  3. Drill the axle hole
  4. Mount between centers. I have a matching ring drive and tail center with adjustable points so locating small stuff like this is pretty easy.
  5. Turn to diameter with a small bowl gouge and add embellishments
permalink
report
parent
reply
-2 points

With wood

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

A child’s train does not need fancy shouldered corners. I absolutely love that you took the time and effort to use shouldered corners.

permalink
report
reply
2 points

Dude, have you seen how children play with toys? I was absolutely brutal with my wooden train. Shouldered corners might have helped it. I, too, love this train.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

I just wanted to ease the corners should we step on it at night 😊

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

That looks better than the description of “Train, By Mayor Jim”.

Jokes aside, this is really really good work!!

permalink
report
reply
1 point

Do these fit on those wooden train tracks?

permalink
report
reply
1 point

Nope, not that fancy.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Woodworking

!woodworking@lemmy.ca

Create post

A handmade home for woodworkers and admirers of woodworkers. Our community icon is a planter box made by @Captain Aggravated, the winner of our summer '24 woodworking contest. Congratulations!

Community stats

  • 452

    Monthly active users

  • 356

    Posts

  • 3.3K

    Comments

Community moderators