Old-Timey Toys From Christmas Past

(Page 6 of 8)

Article Tools
Bookmark and Share

RELATED CONTENT

Dig around in the family sewing box or the lady of the house's jewelry box until you find a discarded pearl or round trinket of some sort that has an eyelet attached to it, tie a 4" length of string to the eyelet, and tie the other end of the cord to your little ballplayer's hand. Then push and glue two 1/8" x 9" dowels down into the last two holes in Casey's base and give all the remaining exposed wood a coat of polyurethane.

To make your slugger "play ball," turn him upside down and slowly spin the batter until the rubber band is wound. Then set the novelty upright on a flat surface, and watch the humorous way that Casey "swings, stops, then swings again" as his rubber band unwinds.

Click here for downloadable construction details.

Two-tone Whistle

Boys and girls of all ages will enjoy this one. Not only is the whistle pocketsized, it blasts out two different pitches at once (which makes it sound a very great deal like the "tooter" on an old steam engine).

Start by cutting out a 7/8" x 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" block of wood. Then drill two 3/8" holes side by side in one end of the block. These holes are centered 1/2" up from the block's lower edge and 5/8" away from each other (so their edges will wind up 1/4" apart). Drill one hole 2-9/16" deep and the other 3" deep.

Next, drill two 1/4" holes through the top of the whistle 1" from the mouthpiece end and far enough apart so that each of the 1/4" holes pierces just one of the 3/8" chambers without cutting into the separating wall between them. Bevel the tops of the two 1/4" holes with a countersink.

Then cut two 3/4" lengths of 3/8" dowel and sand one side of each flat (sand until the 3/8" dowels measure only 1/4" thick from their flat to their far sides). Spread a thin layer of glue over the unsanded sides of these dowels and press them — flats up — into the holes that you've drilled into the whistle's end. (HINT: Now is the time to test the whistle, before the glue dries. You may have to slide the dowels in or out slightly to get the best tones.) After the glue has set, you may have to sand the ends of the dowels (if they protrude) flush with the whistle's "business end."

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Next >>


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
Last Name: *
Address: *
City: *
State/Province: *
Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.