A Trio Of Homemade Toys

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1982
By the Mother Earth News staff 
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Click here to link to downloadable construction details.

RELATED CONTENT

Buzz bomber

Like the traditional bull roarer, the little gadget is made to be swung around in a circle on a tether. The wind passing over rubber bands on its wings and tail produces an impressive scream. To make the toy, take a section of 1/8" copper-coated welding rod (it comes in 36" lengths) and a pair of broad-nosed pliers, and simply bend the "airframe" to the configuration shown in the photo, using our grid diagram as a dimension guide. (Trim off the metal—3 inches or so—that's left.)

Once you've completed the frame, stretch a wide rubber band across the wings and another over the tail. Then tie about 5 feet of cord to the front corner of the craft's left wing, and a wooden bead to the string's free end. Your plane is ready to take to the sky.

Be sure your children understand, however, that the flier can cause injury if it strikes a bystander . . . and that their aerobatic antics should be limited to open, outdoor areas.

Click here to link to downloadable construction details.

Doll Cradle

Here's a toy that you're almost certain to be able to fashion from shop scraps. First, fabricate the necessary cardboard templates, using our grid drawings as a reference. Then, after you've traced the outlines on appropriate pieces of wood, cut those boards to shape. (You can flute the bedposts' corners with a router if you wish.)

Half-lap the 65 degree joints between the legs and the rockers, cut a 1/4" X 13/16" rabbet—4-1/8" long—into the upper inside edges of each upright, and glue the joints together. When they've dried, cement the bottom boards in place . . . then glue (and brad) the side and end panels in their proper positions.

Finish up by painting or staining the wee bed to suit your taste.

Click here to link to downloadable construction details.

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