Replies

1. 
   ProBozo | Nov 12, 2003 03:21am | #1

   This might do better in Knots, I've seen the multicolor kidsafe finishes in the catalogs...check Lee Valley to start

2. 
   UncleDunc | Nov 12, 2003 03:21am | #2

   Maple. No finish.

3. 
   CAGIV | Nov 12, 2003 03:23am | #3

   Food die and water.

4. 
   JeffBuck | Nov 12, 2003 04:46am | #4

   a buddy of mine said when his kids were first born .... he sanded and routed a bunch of 1x2 poplar he had laying around ... then cut then into 6" long piece...

   Had enough to fill 2 5gal buckets.

   in each bucket ... he put in about 3 or 4 pieces that he painted red.

   everything else was left sanded and natural.

   said it was their favorite "toy" the whole time there were growing up....also said it was funny to watch the babies pull a bunch outta the bucket .. and each and every time that'd stop and try to figure out just what the hell that red one was doing in there!

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

1. 
   vanderpooch | Nov 12, 2003 05:42am | #5

   shellac is easy to apply, dries really fast and is food safe when cured. i made maple blocks for my daughter, double coated em, and they still look great after three years.

1. 
   acecan | Nov 12, 2003 11:16am | #6

   Where is a good place to get cheap maple scraps.  Would spuce not work cause I could buy some dry 2 x 4 cheap.

   I am willing to go with the maple because I think the block set could last for years and would be a great toy.  I am going to build a plywood box so all of the blocks can go in.  You will be able to dump the box out and then flip it over and set the blocks on it so they can play on the carpet.

   Thanks, Ace

1. 
   VaTom | Nov 12, 2003 04:25pm | #7

   When we lived in Denver we'd make an annual production run of block sets for a no-batteries toy store.  These were blocks carefully dimensioned to foster a learning experience.  Base dimension was 1 3/8" and then multiples thereof.  After the first round of hard maple, we switched to red alder which was a lot faster (cheaper).  We applied no finish at the request of the toy store.  The edge sander was the final sanding and then all edges were chamfered on a router table.

   Spruce would be fine.  Are you planning to do arches and triangles? 

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   GregGibson | Nov 12, 2003 05:01pm | #8

   VaTom has the right idea with the multiples of one dimension.  My Dad made my children's blocks of cypress, just because he had so many scraps from re-siding the barn.  A very soft, light wood.  It was neat to see the unfinished blocks get smoother over the years and develop a shine - only from being played with for hours on end by grubby little hands.

   After we lost Granddad, I wanted my nephew to have the pleasure of the same blocks.  I made him a set and tossed in about three blocks from the " first generation " set, with a note that his Grandfather made the first set, see if you can tell which ones.  It was very apparent, almost like an oil finish.

   Sort of my version of the " Amish Bread " recipe where you divide the yeast culture to share the recipe with someone else.

   Greg.

2. 
   BillW | Nov 12, 2003 05:28pm | #9

   I made block sets for my son and his cousins 20 years ago ... still being passed around the family.  Most of what I did has been mentioned above:  no finish, break all sharp edges with belt sander, all dimensions in integer multiples.  These came from a variety of hardwood and softwood scraps in my basement (which gave nice color variation), and were 'presented' at xmas in 5 gal buckets - big hit with 3 year olds.  I have to confess I also spent waaaay to many hours playing with them myself.

   I'm building an Ipe deck now, and expect a pile of scraps leftover ... being too cheap to throw anything out, I think I'll cut these up into blocks too - there are 3 new nephews under 3 years old on the scene, and xmas is right around the corner ....

   Enjoy!  Bill.

5. 
   Mongo | Nov 12, 2003 06:01pm | #10

   I use scraps of poplar left over from trim and cabinetry projects. I've made them for my kids, newices/nephews, godchildren, etc.

   Make the basic blocks modular sizes as Tom(?) wrote. Multiples of a basic dimension. Squares, rectangles, triangles, both right and equilateral. I also made circles with a hole saw on the drill press. Used the cutout of the circle either as a whole circle, or halved, or quartered. Used the piece the circle was cut out from  either as a square with a hole in it, or halved to make two arches.

   I eased the edges with a 1/8th inch roundover bit on the router table. Very fast and easy. Just enough to break the edge, but enough flat surfacr to keep them stackable.

   No finish.

   They get burnished with use and stay remarkably clean. In every instance, the blocks are the simplest, yet most often used toys, that each kid has been given.

   Stack them up and knock them down.

   I've also made a bunch of BRIO-compatable track from poplar, as well as the accessory pieces: turntables, platforms, train garages, etc.

6. 
   GHR | Nov 12, 2003 08:15pm | #11

   1-3/8" and multiples is a standard dimentsion. I prefer smaller.

   Find a nice big piece of burl, cut in into blocks and reassemble it back into a burl. Makes a tough puzzle for bored parents.

1. 
   DavidThomas | Nov 12, 2003 11:04pm | #12

   The set my wife grew up with (and her mother, aunt, and grandmother and great aunt as well) also was 1-3/8 by twice as wide by 2 or 4 or 8 times as long.  It was oak, so that's what I used to add a few new ones for Drake (age 3-1/2).  A few longer ones for bridges and joists and some arches.  For arches, clamp two together and use a 4" hole saw to take a semi-cirlce out of each one.  Or, easier, with wider stock, hole-saw first and then rip down the middle of the hole.

   I very lightly touched all surface, edges and corners to the belt sander.  Much less rounding off than any router bit.  Seemed like enough.

   If the ancestral set wasn't oak, maple would be my first choice.  Spruce/fir won't hold up as well but would be very cheap.  Throw away any that have any sap/pitch veins in them.

   No finish.  Oil from hands, spilled apple juice, and dog slobber will finish them naturally.David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska

1. 
   acecan | Nov 13, 2003 10:15am | #13

   Thanks, I was thinking multiples of 1 3/8" as well.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Nov 13, 2003 06:12pm | #14

   Talking about multiples, it takes a fortnight of the blocks to make one cubit.

   There is order to the universe.

   Edited 11/13/2003 10:30:46 AM ET by Bill Hartmann