Reviews
"The toys are easily made in any home woodshop from simple materials that you will find in your scrap wood bin. A little glue, a couple of nails and a little paint and youire done. Tools used are very basic and the toys are imaginative and fun." -Shortcuts.ns.ca, This book should be part of the school curriculum and would benefit many a youth club as all the projects can be made with few tools . - Mike Sandells, Yandles Wood Club Magazine, Do you have a child who's interested in woodworking? If you're a parent who has tools, time, and some basic woodworking knowledge, then you and your child may enjoy completing the 28 projects found in Zany Wooden Toys that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly by Bob Gilsdorf. In our current society where we are constantly bombarded with technology that provides instant gratification, the thought of actually making a toy sounds appealing. I think woodworking could provide an opportunity to teach kids about hard work and patience. Imagine, too, the pride they would feel when playing with a toy made by their very own hands. The toy projects are divided into categories: Shooters, Launchers, Games, Toys, and Gumball Machines. Each project begins with a basic layout of the project followed by wood patterns, a list of materials and tools, and step-by-step instructions complete with photos or drawings. The material in this guide seems organized and easy to follow, but I do admit this is coming from someone with zero woodworking skills. For those of you who are like me and not too familiar with woodworking, the appendix will come in very handy. It contains woodworking basics, such as selecting and cutting wood, drilling holes, how to nail, and decorating and finishing your wooden toy projects. The appendix also has time-saving tips as well as a list of toy-making supplies that should be kept on hand. Safety and working with small children are also discussed. Zany Wooden Toys, that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly is the perfect book for those who love hands-on projects and aren't afraid to use a saw. For just $19.95, you and your child will not only be building toys but memories as well!, Do you have a child who''s interested in woodworking? If you''re a parent who has tools, time, and some basic woodworking knowledge, then you and your child may enjoy completing the 28 projects found in Zany Wooden Toys that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly by Bob Gilsdorf. In our current society where we are constantly bombarded with technology that provides instant gratification, the thought of actually making a toy sounds appealing. I think woodworking could provide an opportunity to teach kids about hard work and patience. Imagine, too, the pride they would feel when playing with a toy made by their very own hands. The toy projects are divided into categories: Shooters, Launchers, Games, Toys, and Gumball Machines. Each project begins with a basic layout of the project followed by wood patterns, a list of materials and tools, and step-by-step instructions complete with photos or drawings. The material in this guide seems organized and easy to follow, but I do admit this is coming from someone with zero woodworking skills. For those of you who are like me and not too familiar with woodworking, the appendix will come in very handy. It contains woodworking basics, such as selecting and cutting wood, drilling holes, how to nail, and decorating and finishing your wooden toy projects. The appendix also has time-saving tips as well as a list of toy-making supplies that should be kept on hand. Safety and working with small children are also discussed. Zany Wooden Toys, that Whiz, Spin, Pop and Fly is the perfect book for those who love hands-on projects and aren''t afraid to use a saw. For just $19.95, you and your child will not only be building toys but memories as well!, "Got kids in your life?Zany Wooden Toys. . . is as fun-maybe more so-for the parents or grandparents as it is for kids." -Woodworker's Journal, "A collection of woodworking projects for making all sorts of dynamic toys." -Model Retailer Magazine, ...I picked up called Zany Wooden Toys That Whiz, Spin, Pop, and Fly, by Bob Gilsdorf. It took a while, but managed to get hold of Bob and ask permission to make one of his projects for a video.Guys, this is one of the best woodworking books I have ever run across. All 28 projects are ones I would like to build. In most woodworking books, I'm happy to settle for a couple that look doable. These are so creative and clever! I wish I had half the creativity as Bob.All the projects are designed for the total beginning woodworker: you can do them all with a few basic hand tools. But what's cool is that they aren't your typical boring birdhouses and the like. These all do stuff!No, I'm not getting compensated in any way for all this praise. I just really like the book.In exchange for using one of Bob's plans, Fox Chapel Publishing asked me to link to the book here. If you would like to buy one, they have also given me a discount code that will save you 20%. When you check out, enter coupon code zany20. It's good until the end of the year.One of the projects in the book is a soccer player that you control. Using an ingenious rubber band system, his legs kick a ball, but I am making two modified versions that feature the heads of Chuck Norris and Mr.T. so they can have a fight to the finish. I have no doubt Chuck Norris will win. By the way, did you know that Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect 4 in three moves? Yeah man. But this ain't the only amazing Chuck Norris fact.I digress. The project I chose to do for the video is the "10 Cent Labyrinth Challenge". It's really simple to make, but will drive people nuts trying to solve! Enjoy the video.
Synopsis
Have fun making these cool wooden toys, games and even gumball machines that are unexpectedly action packed. Most of the projects can be built in an hour, but will be sure to provide hours of entertainment. Easy-to-make projects that will delight children and the young at heart. Full-color photographs, detailed drawings, a chapter on getting started, and two step-by-step projects included., What do you get when you combine ingenuity, creativity, a pinch of engineering and woodworking? You get the coolest easy-to-make wooden action toys that can do extraordinary things. Have fun building toys like a Warp-Speed Penny Shooter, a Tissue-Launching Crossbow or a Poparazzi Gumball Machine. This simple to follow guide includes patterns, step-by-step instructions, and engineering advice on how to make 28 different toys. There is even a section on toy-making basics that offers a supply list, time saving tips and a how-to on doing the projects with small children. Author Bob Gilsdorf, a father of five boys, guides you through the process of taking an idea that seems like fun, working through the details to create your toy or game, and finally, building it out of wood. He has also included game ideas for some of the projects to help spur the imagination. The majority of the projects in the book can be completed in an hour, but will be sure to provide hours of entertainment., What do you get when you combine ingenuity, creativity, a pinch of engineering and woodworking? You get the coolest easy-to-make wooden action toys that can do extraordinary things. Have fun building toys like a Warp-Speed Penny Shooter, a Tissue-Launching Crossbow or a Poparazzi Gumball Machine. This simple to follow guide includes patterns, step-by-step instructions, and engineering advice on how to make 28 different toys. There is even a section on toy-making basics that offers a supply list, time saving tips and a how-to on doing the projects with small children.Author Bob Gilsdorf, a father of five boys, guides you through the process of taking an idea that seems like fun, working through the details to create your toy or game, and finally, building it out of wood. He has also included game ideas for some of the projects to help spur the imagination.The majority of the projects in the book can be completed in an hour, but will be sure to provide hours of entertainment., Inventive and unique, this dynamic collection of woodworking projects teaches the basic skills needed to makeexciting, action-packed toys. From rapid-fire nickel launchers and ball-and-socket robots to a monkey-toss gumball machine, each project includes a color photograph, a tools and materials list, a full diagram, woodworking plans, and instructions for using the finished product. Covering all the methods necessary for creation-selecting wood, drilling and shaping, making wheels and axles, and decoration-these constructions are simple enough for children and parents to complete together, all in an afternoon's time.
