The Outlines for the Horse and Rider and the Parrot may be Made by Enlarging These Sketches. The Color Scheme Indicated is Suggestive Only and may be Varied to Suit Individual Taste
A design for a horse and rider, brightly colored, is shown in [Fig. 1]. The form is cut out of thin wood, the color applied, and the figure mounted on the curved wire, weighted at one end, as shown in [Fig. 6]. The toy adds a touch of color and novelty to a room, when suspended from the corner of the mantel, from a shelf, or other suitable place. Balanced in a striking attitude, forefeet upraised, even grown-ups can hardly resist tipping the rider to see his mount rear still higher. The parrot shown in [Fig. 2] is made similarly, and is weighted at the end of the tail. The point of balance is at the feet, which may be fastened to a trapeze, or be arranged to perch on a convenient place, like that suited to the horse and rider.
The tools and equipment necessary for the making of such toys are simple, and available in most boys’ workshops or tool chests. A coping saw, like that shown at A, [Fig. 3], is suitable for cutting the wood. A fretsaw, operated by hand, foot or power, may be used, and such a tool makes this work quite rapid. To use the coping saw to the best advantage, particularly if the work is to be done on a table which must not be marred, a sawing board should be made. In its simplest form, this consists of a board, as shown at B, about ⁷⁄₈ in. thick, 3¹⁄₂ in. wide, and 6 in. long, with one end notched. This is clamped to the end of the table, as at D, with a clamp, an iron one of the type shown at C being satisfactory. Another form of sawing table especially useful when it is desired to stand up at the work, is shown at E in detail and clamped in the vise at F. It consists of a notched board, 3¹⁄₂ in. wide, fixed at right angles to a board of similar width, 11 in. long, and braced at the joint with a block about 1³⁄₈ in. square. In using the coping saw with either of these saw tables, the wood is held down on the support, as shown in [Fig. 5], and the saw drawn downward for each cutting stroke, thus tending to hold the board more firmly against the saw table. It is, of course, important that the saw be inserted in the coping-saw frame with the teeth pointing toward the handle, so that the method of cutting described may be followed. The wood must be sawed slowly, especially at the beginning of a cut. The operator soon learns the kinks in handling the saw and wood to the best advantage, and can then make rapid progress.
A B C
D E F
FIG. 3
The Tools Required are Found in Most Boys’ Workshops, and a Satisfactory Saw Table may be Made Easily, as Shown in Detail
An outline drawing of the form to be cut out of the wood must first be made, to the exact size that the object is to be. There is much satisfaction if working out the form of the animal or other figure, especially for the boy or girl who has the time necessary to do good work. If desired, the figure may be traced from a picture obtained from a book, magazine, or other source. Cut a piece of wood to the size required for the design, and place a sheet of carbon paper over it; or if none is available, rub a sheet of paper with a soft pencil, and use this as a carbon paper, the side covered with the lead being placed next to the wood. The carbon paper and the sheet bearing the design should then be held in place on the wood with thumb tacks, or pins, and the transfer made with a pencil, as shown in [Fig. 4]. The design should be placed on the wood so that the weaker parts, such as the legs of the horse, will extend with the length instead of across the grain of the wood. In some instances, where a complicated form is cut out, it is necessary to use wood of several plies, and where this is available it is worth while to use it for all of this work. For smaller objects wood ³⁄₁₆ in. thick is suitable, and stock up to ¹⁄₂ in. in thickness may be used. Whitewood, basswood, poplar and other soft, smooth-grained woods are suitable.
FIG. 4
FIG. 5