[CHAPTER XII]
MATERIALS
Nails. The nails used in the making of the toys described in the following chapters are made of very fine wire, with fine points. The wire commonly used for such nails is 17 gauge, but a finer gauge (21) is better for light woodwork, for it does not split the wood so easily. The nails vary in length from ¼ inch to 2 inches, increasing by eighths of an inch. The most useful sizes are veneer pins ½ inch in length and ¾ inch in length.
Panel pins have small heads.
Liquid Glue. Though this is dearer than ordinary glue (it can be obtained in small bottles, price 4-1/2d), it is always ready for use, and is not affected by exposure to the air, except that it thickens and hardens from evaporation. If spread thinly over the wood it holds the various pieces firmly together. When fastening different pieces of wood together it is well, whenever possible, both to glue and nail them.
Wood. (1) Satin walnut is one of the easiest woods to work, and is adapted for a wide range of work, but it is liable to warp and twist badly unless properly seasoned.
For handwork in school, and for toy-making generally, satin walnut machine-planed can be had in the following useful sizes. They are supplied in lengths of 2 feet and are done up in bundles of 100.
(a) 2' × ¼" × ¼" about 2s. 9d. per bundle.
(b) 2' × ¼" × ½" " 3s. " "
(c) 2' × ½" × ½" " 3s. 3d. " "
(d) 2' × ¼" × 1" " 4s. " "
2' × ¼" × 4" " 9s. " "
In the toys described in the following chapters satin walnut lengths (a), (b), (c), and (d) are referred to simply as stripwood.