The whole outfit will cost about a dollar.
A small plane is very convenient, but it is not absolutely necessary for work for younger children.
A board on which the sawing is done, to prevent marring the table, can be made from a piece of boxwood 7/8" × 6" × 12". A hole should be bored about three inches from one end and half way between the sides, and a V-shaped notch should be cut from the end of the board to the hole. The photograph on Page [20] shows the sawing board in use and illustrates two methods of constructing and holding the board. See also [Plate 2] for method of making these boards. If a vise is available matters are very much simplified.
With the above described outfit, toy animals, toy furniture, jumping-jacks and other simple toys of a like nature can be made.
The material should be thin wood from the thickness of cigar box wood (which by the way is especially good to use for some of the toys), up to one-half inch in thickness.
Composition board, such as Beaver Board and similar wall board, is very good for the smaller toys but lacks strength and cannot be handled roughly.
Three-ply veneered wood may be obtained from firms which specialize in veneer. It is strong and serviceable but a little more expensive than the plain wood.
Bass and pine are excellent woods to use in toy-making, as they work very easily and are light in weight.
For the older boy, who will no doubt be handy about the house, the following tools are suggested: