_Picture Postcard Stand_, for which the only necessities will be two
pegs and a piece of wood for a base (Fig. 44).
[Illustration: FIG. 44.]
This base should be about 4-1/2 in. long and about 2-1/2 in. wide. It
can be cut from wood of any thickness, but a piece about 3/8 in. thick
is the most suitable. Find the centre of each end edge of the base, and
draw a line right across the wood. If now you measure in one inch from
each end you will get the two spots to which to affix the pegs.
These last must first of all have one prong removed, or rather enough of
a prong to leave a quarter-inch stump projecting. This stump should be
rounded with a sharp knife, and then the whole peg should be finished
off with glass-paper. These pegs must then be fixed knob downwards on to
the base. Fig. 39 on page 34 shows a suitable method for this.
If you are at all skilful with your tools you will be able to cut a nice
moulding round the edge of the base, and so improve the artistic effect
of your model.
Two thin coats of varnish, or of good enamel, will complete this
attractive little article.
One little wooden toy, quite interesting in itself, and very useful when
playing with "soldiers," is
_The Windlass._--Some odd pieces of lath or cigar-box wood, a cotton
reel, a length of string, some stout wire, and some glue and pins,
provide all the necessaries. The cotton reel should be the largest
obtainable.
Fig. 45 shows the completed work. First of all, make a square base for
the windlass. If the reel is 3 in. long, cut off four lengths of lath
(or four inch-strips of cigar-wood box) each 4 in. long, and glue these
into a hollow square, two under and two over. Now cut off two more
lengths, 3 in. long, for the upright supports--making the top ends
pointed to hold the slanting covers.
[Illustration: FIG. 45.]
Before these side-pieces are glued and pinned into position, it will be
necessary to insert the reel. Get a piece of skewer, or lead pencil, 4
in. long, and glue it into the hole in the reel. At one end of the axle
so formed will be placed the handle. This can be made in several ways,
either with wood or wire, or a mixture of the two (Figs. 46, 47, 48 show
some varieties, which may also be useful in making other toys). Holes
just large enough to allow the axle to turn freely must then be cut in
the side supports.
The two slanting covers should be about 4 in. long, so as to allow a
trifle to project at each end, and should be from 3/4 in. to 1 in. wide.
The two edges which meet to form the apex of the cover should be
bevelled off so as to form a clean join.
In making this model it would perhaps be as well to use carpenter's glue
in place of the prepared stuff.
[Illustration: FIG. 46.]
[Illustration: FIG. 47.]
[Illustration: FIG. 48.]
From the material supplied by one or two empty cigar boxes, many
interesting things can be made, especially articles for use with
dolls--cradles, carts, furniture, &c. If these articles are of no use to
you, they come in very handy for presents to little sisters and friends,
especially when well made and carefully finished.
_A Doll's Cradle_ is perhaps one of the simplest to commence with. To a
box from which the lid has been removed, it is only necessary to add two
rockers. These can be cut out from the lid by means of a fret saw, and
then smoothed down with glass-paper. Fig. 49 shows the best shape for
the rockers, which should be glued on about an inch from each end of the
box (Fig. 50). Great care should be taken that the two rockers are as
nearly alike as possible, otherwise the cradle will not swing to and fro
freely.
[Illustration: FIG. 49.]
[Illustration: FIG. 50.]
_A Doll's Cart_ is also comparatively easy to make, the only really
trying part being the cutting of the four wheels.
For the body of the cart use a cigar box which has been deprived of its
lid, and planed down level round the edges. To the under side of this
body, and about one inch from each end, glue two pieces of wood to which
to fix the wheels. Strengthen these joins by means of short pins driven
through. Fix the wheels to these pieces by means of pins (Fig. 51). In
order to support these two wheel-holders, stretch another piece across
the space between them, at right angles to each, gluing it firmly to the
two centres.
[Illustration: FIG. 51.]
The wheels should be cut with a fret saw, if you possess one. If you do
not possess one, then draw out the circle on the wood, and cut the
square containing the circle. Then saw off the corners to form an
eight-sided figure, and go on cutting off corners until you get down to
the circle, which you can finish off with glass-paper (Fig. 52).
[Illustration: FIG. 52.]
A little hook or ring should be attached at the bottom of one end, in
order that a string may be tied on, and the vehicle drawn along.
_A Jack-in-the-Box._--One of the most old-fashioned of toys, this never
loses its interest. The box required for it is practically cubical:
therefore 6 four-inch squares of cigar-box wood must be cut out. Two of
these will need to be cut down to 3-3/4 in. in width, so that the
four-inch bottom and lid will fit: so from two squares cut a strip 1/4
in. wide. Glue and pin together the two 3-3/4 pieces and two of the
four-inch pieces to form a hollow square. To this will be fixed one of
the other four-inch pieces to form a bottom; and at the other end the
remaining four-inch piece will be hinged (or wired on like the lid of a
chocolate box).
Before the bottom is finally put on, it will be necessary to attach the
mechanism. For this you will require a strong piece of spring about 6
in. long when released, and a doll's head. One end of the spring must be
fixed to the centre of the base. You can do this by means of tiny wire
staples (bent pins with the heads nipped off) hammered over the wire
into the base, and then bent back on the opposite side of the wood (Fig.
53). At the other end of the spring a piece of cardboard must be fixed,
and to it the doll's head must be firmly glued. When the mechanism is
complete, nail on the bottom, and fix the lid.
[Illustration: FIG. 53.]
Into the centre of the front edge of the lid drive a small nail, or
stout pin, and on the box just below fix a revolving catch hook. This
you can quite easily cut from an old piece of fairly thick tin (Fig.
54). In this way an effective means is provided of releasing the lid and
enabling the "Jack" to shoot out suddenly.
[Illustration: FIG. 54.]
_The Jig-saw Puzzle_ was at one time a very popular toy, and there are
signs that its popularity is being revived. If it does not interest you
particularly, it will provide a little brother or sister with endless
amusement.
In reality the puzzle consists merely of a picture (generally an
interesting coloured one) glued very firmly to a piece of fretwood or
cigar-box wood. This is then by means of a fret saw cut into a great
many pieces, shaped as quaintly and awkwardly as possible (see Fig. 55).
These pieces are then jumbled up into disorder, and passed on to the
little one in order that the shapes may be fitted into place and the
original picture reconstructed.
[Illustration: FIG. 55.]