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Caring for Wooden Toys
written by Karen Weppner, Family Tree Toys 2000
no part of this article may be reproduced without author's permission
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WOOD VARIETIESThere are two types of wood: hardwood and softwood. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees (with leaves), and isn't necessarily "hard". Softwood comes from coniferous trees (with needles) and can be harder than soft hardwoods.
Common hardwoods used in toymaking: oak, alder, walnut, cherry, mahogany, birch
Common softwoods: pine, fir
Special considerations
CEDAR splinters can be toxic. If choosing toys made of cedar (*we wouldn't, but if you do), maintain the toy to prevent splintering. Avoid cedar in baby toys and any toys that may be mouthed.
OAK has a tannin that is better not ingested. Avoid oak in toys that may be mouthed.
EXOTIC HARDWOODS might be toxic. There are many varieties -- educate yourself, or make sure your toymaker is well educated on the properties of the wood being used.
WOODWORKING
When a toy is cut, attention must be given to the thickness of the parts as well as the direction of the grain (the lines that you see in the wood).
Pieces should be thick enough to resist breakage. How thick is "thick enough" depends on the variety of the wood. Our best advice - if it looks fragile, it probably is. Also, look at the grain of the wood in narrow pieces. It should run parallel with the length of the piece. Wood is weakest along short grain lines, or where stress is placed on the end grain.
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ASSEMBLY
Toys can be assembled in a variety of ways - dowelled, screwed, glued and nailed. Each has its weaknesses.
We prefer DOWEL ASSEMBLY for the purity of wooden construction. This is achieved with glue and wooden "nails". Changes in humidity can cause the wood to shrink and swell, loosening the dowels over time. This is particularly important where wheels are secured by a dowel axles. The toy owner should periodically check the assembly to make sure the parts are secure. If a part loosens, reglue with a non-toxic woodworker's glue, according to manufacturer's instructions.
SCREW ASSEMBLY is probably the most secure form of assembly when the screwed joints are also glued. Should the screws work themselves loose, they are sharp. The toy owner should periodically check the screws to make sure they remain tight. Ideally, the screws should be "countersunk" where the screw head lies below the surface of the wood. The screw can then be capped with a wooden plug (which gives the appearance of dowel assembly).Periodically check for loosened plugs.
GLUE ASSEMBLY can be remarkably strong when used in the right places. There are many considerations for the toymaker when gluing. The strongest use is when paired with dowels, screws or joinery such as grooves and notches. We don't recommend using glue alone in joints that will be stressed. If a glue joint breaks repeatedly, it needs to be fortified with dowels or screws.
NAIL ASSEMBLY has no place in toymaking in our opinion. Not only do they have a tendency to work themselves loose, but they can bend under stress, and are extremely sharp. We would advise against making or buying toys with nails.
FINISHES
Not all finishes are child-safe. Make sure the toymaker specifies the finish used or indicates that it is child-safe or non-toxic. Many finishes contain drying agents that are toxic, but once evaporated (usually about 30 days, but depends on finish used) leave a non-toxic finish. This is important to know, particularly for toys that will be mouthed. If you will be receiving a newly finished toy, inquire about the drying time.
Special considerations
Many toymakers use natural oil finishes that are food-grade or non-toxic oils, which can be derived from a variety of sources. If the type of oil is not specified, ask - particularly if your child has nut allergies.
STAIN changes the color of the wood. Not all woods absorb to the same degree which can leave some stain on the surface. For this reason, and others, we prefer not to use stains on toys. If you desire a particular color - it is best to choose a wood that is that color naturally. If you do choose stain, make sure it is well-sealed, and maintain that seal.
Over time, if the seal is not maintained, you will notice wear on the edges, revealing the original color of the wood. If the wood is vulnerable - so is your carpet!
*We recommend using a throw rug under rocking toys, to protect both the toy and the floor surface. Check the condition of the rockers regularly for wear.*
Finishes will wear. It is your responsibility as the owner to maintain the finish of a wooden toy. This is easily done with an oil or wax finish, and requires more effort with paint, varnish and lacquer.
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