Books

Classic Wooden Toys
by Jim Harrold

In an era of mass production and disposable plastic, well-made wooden toys stand out every time: They’re simple, ageless, and just plain fun. The twenty projects in Classic Wooden Toys are smartly designed and built to last. They'll stand up to hard play and still look good when passed down from one generation to the next. Whether you’re looking for rugged toy trucks, delicate dollhouse furniture, or timeless bookshelves and toy chests designed to grow with your kids, Classic Wooden Toys is a reliable guide and helpful hand that walks you through the entire building process.

Making Wooden Furniture
for American Girl® and Other 18-Inch Dolls
by Dennis Simmons

Dennis Simmons shares his 30 years of woodworking experience in this thorough guide to constructing an heirloom quality doll house and doll house furniture, scaled to proportion for the ever-popular American Girl and other 18" dolls. These easy-to-follow projects are created with the craftsperson in mind-all are made with tools commonly found in home workshops. Each project is presented in a detailed, step-by-step process from start to finish. Also included are simpler projects for the beginner, as well as more challenging projects for the advanced woodworker. Plans for a modular doll house allow the reader to make a design as tall or as small as desired, with options for adding charming details like gingerbread framing. A section on modifying a standard dollhouse as a historical house includes instructions for 9 different houses, from a modern Colonial Revival to a fantastic Second Empire Victorian. The author provides comprehensive instructions on how to get started, including choosing the right tools, wood and finishes. Any child, or seasoned doll collector, would be proud to display a cherished doll with this stylish furniture.

Turning Vintage Toys
by Chris Reid

Adults will delight in the nostalgia of these exquisite hand-crafted wooden toys just as much as children will enjoy playing with them. Choose from 15 fabulous toys, each with clear step-by-step instructions, detailed photographs, and easy-to-follow diagrams. Beginners can try their hand at colorful yo-yos, spinning tops, quoits, and skittles, while intermediate-level turners can relish the challenge of the kaleidoscope colour top, diabolic, or the endearing walking penguins. With comprehensive advice on techniques and equipment, this inspirational book provides all of the information and guidance you will need to turn beautiful vintage toys. This book includes: " Clear step-by-step photography " Detailed schematic diagrams and templates " Advice on the right tools for the job " A range of projects to suit everyone from the beginner to the more experienced turner. Chris Reid received his first lathe when he was just fifteen years old and has been woodturning for more than 50 years. Now retired, Chris makes these wonderful wooden toys for children's parties and his own grandchildren.

The Handmade Skateboard

The Handmade Skateboard is the definitive book on building custom skate decks of all shapes and sizes, from the high-performance street deck to the classic longboard to a vintage pinstripe cruiser that will turn heads everywhere you go. When you make your own skateboard from scratch you have the opportunity to create something that is perfectly tailored to you: a deck that matches your height, your weight, your center of balance, your skill level and your intended use. More importantly, making your own skate deck allows you to design a perfect deck to fit your personal style, making a statement about who you are. There’s nothing wrong with choosing off-the-shelf and mass produced, but who doesn’t prefer to stand out? Be different. Be one of a kind. That’s what you get with a custom handmade skateboard. Whether you’re an accomplished woodworker or an absolute beginner, The Handmade Skateboard guides you step-by-step through building five skateboard designs — from a simple “Hack Board” built in a few spare hours to a high-performance street deck pressed from seven layers of high-quality Maple veneers. A design guide covers everything you need to know about sizing and shaping your deck and choosing the right trucks and hardware. And detailed photos, illustrations and clear written instruction throughout provide all the information and motivation you need to make your own skateboard from scratch.