Home-Made Toys for Boys and Girls

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Home-Made Toys for Boys and Girls (August, 1915)
by Albert Neely Hall

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4680364Home-Made Toys for Boys and GirlsAugust, 1915Albert Neely Hall

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HOME-MADE TOYS
FOR
GIRLS AND BOYS

Wooden and Cardboard Toys,
Mechanical and Electrical Toys

By A. Neely Hall

Author of "The Boy Craftsman",
"Handicraft for Handy Boys."
"The Handy Boy" Etc.

With over three hundred illustrations and working-
drawing by the author and Norman P. Hall

BOSTON
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

HOME-MADE TOYS
FOR
GIRLS AND BOYS

[Advertisements]

BOOKS BY A. NEELY HALL

8vo. Cloth. Illustrated with hundreds of full-page
and working drawings by the author
and Norman P. Hall

THE BOY CRAFTSMAN	$\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$	Price net $1.60
		Postpaid 1.82
Handicraft for Handy Boys	$\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$	Price net $2.00
		Postpaid 2.25
The Handy Boy	$\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$	Price net $1.60
		Postpaid 1.82

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON

Fig. 287.

Figs. 287 and 288. An Auto Delivery-Wagon Built of Cigar-Boxes.
(See page 192.)

Copyright, 1915, by
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD COMPANY
Published, August, 1915

home-made toys for girls and boys

Norwood Press
J. S. Cushing Co.—Berwick & Smith Co.
Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.

Constructive ideas expel destructive ideas from the juvenile mind.

INTRODUCTORY NOTES

Through the author’s handicraft volumes, and magazine and newspaper articles, thousands of boys and girls who never realized they could make their own toys, have succeeded in constructing models which would do credit to Santa Claus’ master toy-makers.

The success of this new home industry has suggested the need of a volume devoted entirely to toy-making, and in Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys the author has brought together a large number of the toy ideas from his former handicraft volumes, and from his articles published in the Ladies’ Home Journal, Woman’s Home Companion, Good Housekeeping, the Boys’ Magazine, and other publications, and he believes that as collected and arranged the material will be found a veritable gold-mine of toy-making information.

Go to any toy store and price the toys similar to those described within these covers, then estimate if you can how much the other toys you do not find would cost if manufactured, and you will. discover, that one hundred dollars would not cover their value. One splendid thing about these home-made toys is that the greater part of them require little more than the pick-up material found at home. Few boys and girls are given a one hundred dollar assortment of toys at a time, yet any one can own a collection of this value who is willing to spend the time necessary to follow the instructions given in this book. Probably, though, some of the toys will be wanted now, and the others one, two or three seasons hence, because, you see, the book is an all-the-year-round handy book with suggestions for every season. Some of the toys will be of especial interest to boys, yet girls who like what boys like will enjoy making them also.

Home-made toys are generally longer lived than store toys because the boy or girl who expends a certain amount of effort producing gives them better care. Home-made toys have a greater value than boughten ones because there is as much fun making them as playing with them. Doing something interesting, getting satisfying results out of the work, putting an idea into tangible form, and having a toy to show of which it can be said, “I made this all myself,”—these are the factors in toy-making so fascinating to boys and girls.

It is no less a child’s nature to want to do that which is most pleasing to him, than an adult’s, so why not encourage this wholesome activity of toy-making to which the child takes as readily as a duck takes to water? It trains the mind to think clearly, the hands to work cleverly, replaces destructive thoughts with constructive ideas, and, in making the boy or girl dependent upon himself or herself for toys, is invaluable in developing resourcefulness.

Recognizing how easily the child’s interest is attracted and held by anything of a building nature, toy manufacturers have placed scores of so-called “construction sets” upon the market, but, though excellent as these outfits are, the toys they form are merely assembled, not really made by the boy or girl, and much of the value of making is lost. Exactly as good models as those assembled with “construction sets” can be made of pick-up materials, as chapters in this book show. In fact, some of the models in the manufacturers’ instrection pamphlets—merry-go-rounds, Ferris wheels and swings—are almost identical with home-made models devised long ago by the author for his readers. Furthermore, there are many, very many toys in Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys which are beyond the limited possibilities of “construction sets.”

A. Ν. Η.

Oak Park, Illinois,
May 31, 1915.

CHAPTER I
		PAGE
Home-made Windmills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		1
The Paper Pinwheel—The Pinion-wheel Windmill—To mount the Pinion-wheel—The Four-blade Windmill—To mount the Windmill—The Eight-blade Windmill—The Hub—The Eight Blades—The Shaft—The Tail—To pivot the Windmill—To operate a Toy Jumping-Jack.
CHAPTER II
Home-made Kites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		9
How to make a Malay—The Sticks—Framing the Sticks—Covering the Framework—Attaching the Bridle—Flying-line—The Box-kite—The Kite Sticks—The Side Frames—Covering for the End Cells—Assembling the Kite—Attaching the Bridle—A Good Hand Kite-reel—A Body Kite-reel.
CHAPTER III
Home-made Model Aeroplane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		21
Accuracy in Model Construction—The Most Successful Type of Model—The Fuselage—The Thrust Bearings The Bow Hooks—The Main Plane—The Elevator—The Fin—The Propellers—How to prepare the Propellers—The Propeller Blank—The Propeller-shafts—The Motors—The Home-made Motor-winder—How the Egg-beater winds the Motors—Care in winding the Motors—Position to take for launching a Model.
CHAPTER IV
A Home-made Τοy Μοτor-boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		33
How operated—The Hull Bottom—The Sides—The Deck—The Propeller—The Propeller-shaft—The Bearing Plate—The Thrust Bearing—The Rubber-band Motor—To Wind the Motor—How to Elaborate Upon the Design and Construction.
CHAPTER V
Home-made Toy Water-motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		38
A Varnish-can Water-motor—The Case—The Water-motor Wheel—The Eight Paddles—The Wheel Shaft—An Outlet—A Pulley-belt—Pulley-wheels—Connecting up the Water-motor—Another Water-motor—The Water-motor Wheel—The Wheel Supports—To mount the Wheel—The Pulley Wheel—The Water-motor Case.
CHAPTER VI
A Home-made Τοy Railway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		47
The Trolley-line—Supports for Trolley-line—Power for Operating—Railway—Tracks—The Cars-A Gondola Car—A Street Car—Other Cars—Operation of the Railway—A Station.
CHAPTER VII
Home-made Toy Elevators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		59
A Toy Elevator that appears Magical in its Operation—Adapting Elevator to Toy Office Building—Floors—Partitions—The Elevator Car—The Elevator Guides—The Cables—The Counter-balance—The Smoke-stack—The Overhead Pulleys—How the Car operates—Ballast—To make the Car Rise—A Simple Control—Two Levers—An Outdoor Elevator—The Guide Supports—The Car—The Guides—The Counter-balance—The Lifting Cable—The Lowering Cable.
CHAPTER VIII
Home-made Mechanical Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		71
The Simple Construction of Small Mechanical Toys—A Buzz-saw Whirligig—Operating the Whirligig—The Clog-dancer—A Toy Jumping-Jack—A Cricket-rattle—The Turtle Toy—To make the Turtle Crawl.
CHAPTER IX
Home-made Tops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		79
Top Spinning on the South Sea Islands—Clock Wheel Tops—A Rug-tack Top—A Spool Top—A Spinning Top Race-track—A Shoe-polish Can Top—A Spiral Top—A Merry-go-round Top—How the Top Spins—Horses and Riders—A Flag.
CHAPTER X
Home-made Clockwork Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		88
The Necessary Materials—How to prepare the Clockwork—The Merry-go-round—The Standard—The Tent—The Tent-poles— The Horses—The Sleighs—The Shafts—The Girl Riders—The Boy Riders—The Platform—How to operate the Merry-go-round—Other Animals—A Miniature Ferris Wheel—The Standard—The Clockwork Motor—The Station Platform—The Wheel—Rims—Hubs—Spokes—Assembling the Wheel—The Cars—Axles—How to mount the Wheel—The Platform Steps—The "Flying Airships "—The Standard—The Mast—The Cars—Increasing the Speed of the Clockwork—An Electric Motor—An Automobile—The Frame—The Belt—Testing the Machine—The Cardboard Sides—The Wheels—The Mud-guards—The Lamps—The Steering-wheel—The Horn—The Brake—The Chauffeur—Painting the Machine—An Automobile Delivery Wagon—The Cardboard Sides—The Wheels—Other Portions—Painting the Wagon—A Clockwork Railway.
CHAPTER XI
Home-made Electrical Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		117
An Electro-magnet Derrick—The Electro-magnet—A Home-made Switch—The Derrick—The Windlass—The Hoisting Cables—How the Derrick Works—A Toy Shocking Machine—The Induction-coil—The Primary-coil—The Secondary-coil—The Handles—An Interrupter—How the Interrupter Works—A Toy Electric Motor Truck—The Wheels—The Upper Shaft—The Belts—The Battery—The Bi-chromate Battery Fluid—Amalgamating a Zinc Pencil—The Seat and Canopy-top—The Seat-arms—The Steering-wheel—The Levers.
CHAPTER XII
A Home-made Toy Shooting Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		140
The Framework—The Circular Target—The Animal Targets—The Card-shooting Pistol—How to number the Targets—How to shoot at the Targets.
CHAPTER XIII
A Home-made Doll-house . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		145 {{TOC row l\|3\|The Building Material—The Floor Plans—The Partitions—The Elevator-shaft—The Side Walls—The Rear Wall—The Front Wall—The Windows—The Roof—The Chimney—An Elevator—The Car—The Guide-wires—The Pulleys—The Chain Cable—The }}
CHAPTER XVIII
Home-made Cigar-box Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		191
Material—Cutting—An Express-wagon—A Cart—An Auto Delivery-wagon—A Jack-in-the-box—A Round-seated Chair—A Round Center- table—A Dining-table—A Square-seated Chair—A Doll's Cradle—Finishing the Cigar-box Wood.
CHAPTER XIX
Home-made Spool and Cardboard Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		196
Material—A Baby Carriage—A Two-wheel Cart—A Toy Merry-go-round—A Teeter-board—A Doll Swing—A Sofa—A Chair—A Square Center-table—A Round Center-table.
CHAPTER XX
A Home-made Toy Mail-box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		205
Playing Postman—Material for Mail-box—The Sides, Ends, and Bottom of Box—The Top—The Letter-drop—The Collection-drop—Reinforcing the Corners—Covering the Box—A Collection Schedule Card—How to hang up the Mail-box—A Mail-bag—The Way to play Post-office.
CHAPTER XXI
A Home-made Reflectoscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		210
The Working Principle of the Reflectoscope—Material for making One—The Lens Opening—Ventilator Holes—The Interior Arrangement—A Hood for the Ventilators—If Oil Lamps are Used—If Electric Light is Used—How to mount the Lens—Puttying Cracks—Painting the Inside of the Box—The Back Boards—The Picture Holder—How the Lens reverses Pictures—Adjustments.
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .		215

LIST OF HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS
(In addition to 346 text illustrations)

Figs. 287 and 288. An Auto Delivery-wagon built of Cigar Boxes (Page 192) Fig. 48. Launching the Toy Motor-boat Fig. 108. The Buzz-saw whizzes when you twist the Cord Fig. 109. The Eccentric Clog-dancer is a Circus in Himself Fig. 110. Pull the String and Jack jumps comically Fig. 114. Whirling the Cricket-rattle makes it Chirp Fig. 115. The Crawling Turtle's Shell is a Jelly-mould Fig. 135. A Merry-go-round Fig 136. A Clockwork Motor Fig. 137. A Ferris Wheel Fig. 138. A Flying Airship Fig. 160. The Car Completed Fig. 161. The Framework Fig. 220. The Home-made Doll-house Fig. 221. Interior View of Doll-house Fig. 243. The Most Stylish Apartments in Doll Town. Fig. 244. How the Three Stories are arranged side by side to form a Six-room Apartment Fig. 284. An Express-wagon Fig. 285. A Cart. Fig. 289. A Jack-in-the-box Fig. 290. The Skeleton of the Jack-in-the-box Fig. 291. A Round-seated Chair Fig. 292. A Round Center-table Fig. 293. A Dining-table Fig. 294. A Square-seated Chair Fig. 295. A Doll's Cradle 194-195 Fig. 325. The Home-made Mail-box strapped to the Face of a Door Fig. 326. The Home-made Mail-box strapped to a Chair-back

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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