Louis Christian Petersen

“ Each pattern sheet presents a particular class of toys including Jointed Animals, Animal Rocker Toys, Wheeled Platform Toys, Lever Toys, String Toys, Freak Toys, Novelties, etc. While intended to be worked out in wood many are equally well adapted for cardboard. Toy-making at home from these patterns is a fine hobby for the boy from six to twelve years of age, and in the school is a fascinating manual training activity. These patterns are based upon the author's long experience in the teaching of toy-making in public and private schools and summer camps. ”

“ They should be taught knot-tying and its application in an intelligent and thoro manner, and have frequent practice-drill therein, till it becomes second nature to them.
When a knot is tied, it must be pulled together tight, so as to stay. Otherwise, especially if the cord is stiff, the loops will slide apart or flop out of position, and the knot will come loose. A knot derives its strength and reliability from the friction between its different parts. ”

“ A hole is bored near the end that is pivoted to the throat of the elephant; in the other end is a fork to fit over the axle crank with a fine hole bored at right angle thru the connecting rod for a brad to prevent the crank from slipping out. The two axles are made from No. 12 steel wire. One is straight, the other has a crank in the middle. Flat places are hammered near each end of the axles so that they may be pressed into holes in the wheels and not turn. Each axle is held to the platform by two staples which may be made from long brads by cutting off the heads. ”

“ LAYING OUT WORK
It is important to have the patterns placed correctly on the wood so that the desired result may be reached. One of the things sought is the greatest possible strength in the parts sawed out. The grain of the wood should, therefore, run lengthwise of the wood where the parts are narrow. Another thing desired is the economical use of material. The patterns should, therefore, be so arranged on the wood that the outlines will match closely together and thus use up as nearly as possible all surface space on the board. ”

“ When a player gets a Mill, he can take one of his opponent's pegs that is not in a Mill. Another aim of a player is to place his pegs so that he prevents his opponent from getting a Mill. When the pegs of one of the players have all been taken except 3, then he is allowed to jump anywhere on the board. When the pegs are all gone but two, then the game is lost. When a player can get 5 pegs into holes situated as 7, 8, 9 and 4, 6, then he has a double Mill by moving from 8 to 5 and from 5 to 8, etc., and pick one of his opponent's pegs for each move. ”

“ The points of the teeth should always point towards the handle of the frame. The frame is held with the handle down. The saw does the cutting as it is pulled downward. In working the saw, the blade must be kept perpendicular to the face of the wood. The blade should never be forced against the wood, as that will cause the wood to tear, and leave a ragged edge. ”

“ In beginning the construction of these toys, read the directions carefully so as to understand the process of construction. Study how you can best arrive at the desired results. By thinking ahead, as you proceed, many mistakes may be prevented.
Be careful in making your drawings. Keep your pencil sharp. Be precise in making measurements. Handle the tools with care. Finish one job before starting another. Have a place for your tools. Keep your glue and wood-finishes well covered to prevent drying. Keep your brushes in kerosene to prevent them from getting stiff. Be clean in handling colors. ”

“ Each strand will thus remain on the same side of the core as at the start. The strand in front of the core is used continually for tying the knot by the left and right hand, alternately, as the strand moves from side to side. It is a series of left and right overhand knots over a core.
36. Four-strand round braid—is very pretty, and well repays any difficulty in mastering it. It is not as easy to illustrate, by drawing, the process of making a round braid as a flat one ”

“ Drive the wheels onto the axle. Put the axle in place, drive nails into the sides, and bend them over the axle to hold it in place. Take the mule, put the projection from the body between the two uprights on the frame, insert a 1-1/2" nail thru the three holes, and bend the end back. Join the connecting rod to the crank. Stride the rider on the mule and insert a nail thru his thighs and the back of the mule. With a neat cord connect the hands to the mouth of the mule, for a bridle. Take hold of the handle and watch the mule gallop when you push him along. ”

“ Disk Puzzle BALL PUZZLE
At first it is not evident why this is called a ball puzzle, but, when let into the secret, most people see at once a good reason for naming it so. The wooden ball or marble is hidden from sight inside of the wood and may be shifted in position from the middle to the upper piece of the puzzle and vice versa (Fig. 21) .
Fig. 21.
The problem is to slide the middle piece off of the pin that projects up from the lower piece and swing it around its pivot. This pivot is a 1-1/2" round-headed screw, fitting loosely in the upper two and fixed in the lower piece. ”

“ FLYING GOOSE
The body, platform and wheels (Fig. 17) are of 1/4" stock. The wings are a little thinner. Saw out one body and two wings and bore holes for cords, as shown in the drawing. Saw out the platform and four wheels, and finish them carefully. The front wheels turn on 1" flat-headed nails that are driven into the edge of the platform 3/4" from the end. The rear wheels are driven onto a wire axle which turns in two wire staples that are driven into the bottom of the platform, 3/4" from the end and 1/4" from each edge. ”

“ By holding the guide in the left hand and working the push-rod back and forth, the dog should work freely and without a hitch in all the varied positions that it is possible for it to assume. With fine brad fasten the tail. Bore holes thru head and ears, and pivot them on a loose joint so that they will swing when the pup is busy scratching. ”

“ Also, when boring holes thru the center of the four wheels, take care to secure proper direction and sizes of holes for a running fit in the front wheels and a press fit onto the axle in the rear wheels. Hold the body with foot up, and nail the platform onto it. With round-nose pliers make the connecting rods from No. 12 wire with the eyes neatly shaped and at right angles to each other. Attach the rods to the wings by staples so the joints will work freely without too much play. Attach the other ends of the rods to the outer faces of the rear wheels by means of short flat-headed nails. ”

“ This problem is rather unique in its principle of operation and offers at once material for study and investigation. Like that of a circus performer, the combinations must be exactly right or the little fellow may fall on his head. In making the man, first bore the holes thru the block and take care to make them parallel. The openings into the holes from the ends must be in the same plane and made to slide over the rounds of the ladder without friction. The tumbler may be shaped and colored to look like a man. ”

“ The experience of almost twenty years as a teacher has convinced the author that only when the child approaches subject-matter with interest and enthusiasm can the best results be obtained. Giving a child an opportunity to make things, arouses his interest ”

“ The part that will be nearest to the point of the nail has no hole bored in it, for it should fit tight. The nail must reach thru the joint far enough so that it may be bent back, staple-like, and when the point is driven back into the wood, the joint should swing freely. ”

“ Every little girl loves to own a cradle for her doll. Here is one that is strong and pretty, and can easily be made from thin wood about 1/4" thick. Saw out the two ends after tracing the outline from the full-sized drawing. The two sides and bottom have their dimensions given. When properly shaped and smooth, the bottom is fastened with 1" brads between the ends. One-inch brads are driven thru the sides into the edges of the ends. Be careful when driving the brads that the sides do not split and that the brads go straight. ”

“ Color the boys and fasten them with a nail thru the body of each boy, fitting loosely, and driven into the ends of the board. When the see-saw is turned up-end down, the boys will swing on the nails and keep heads up. ”

“ A fox can also jump over a goose and take it, provided the hole just beyond it is vacant. In fact, the fox can jump and take several geese in various directions if conditions permit. The geese can not jump, but they can move so as to hem in the foxes and make it impossible for them to move. ”

“ Keep the saw going up and down to insure freedom and plenty of room for the blade, especially in turning corners. When removing it from the work, do not attempt to twist the blade or let the frame hang on it, as the blades are brittle and break easily. ”

“ The teacher who is to conduct the class should be thoroly familiar with the work and should have made each model before taking it up as a class problem. The work as a whole should be conducted in a systematic and quiet manner ”

“ It has a very powerful tail which serves with the two long hind legs as its support and for making enormous bounds. The fore legs, much like arms, are used with surprising dexterity by this strange animal. The nose, throat and breast are very light, the rest of the body is reddish brown. ”

“ A loose joint is required in some toys so that the parts may swing without friction. A flat-headed nail is used as a pivot, and holes, a little bigger than the nail, are bored thru all but one of the parts to be joined together. ”

“ They may be treated as design problems, thereby serving as a means of training the taste and imagination as well as developing an appreciation of space relations and color harmonies. The work is fascinating to children and presents an excellent opportunity for acquiring knowledge and skill in mixing and applying colors. ”

“ When put together, the two pieces for the body are separated by the head, tail and two circular pieces. The legs are fastened to the outside of the body by two long nails that reach thru the five thicknesses. The ends of the nails are bent back. ”

“ The elastic is made in a double loop of four thicknesses, one of which is placed in each of the four angles of the paddle. By twisting the elastic band, power is stored up sufficient for the boat to attain a fair rate of speed. A spool serves as smoke-stack. ”

“ Double chain knotting—is started like the single chain knot, but the second loop is formed from the free end, and slipped thru from the same side as the first. Both ends are used, alternately, and the loops are pulled taut. It makes a beautiful cord, triangular in shape.
30. Genoese braid, begun—two cords are used, one end of each is used as a core, tho a thicker core may be used, and with the other two ends, in turn, loops are drawn around the core. ”

“ Also, when working with enamel paint that contains a high quantity of solvents, make sure the area is as well-ventilated as possible. If still in doubt, wear a respirator mask to prevent the toxic effects of solvent inhalation. Paper masks do not block solvent fumes. ”

“ The nails pass thru the eyes of the rods and are driven into the wheels 1/4" from the outer rims. The nails in the two wheels must be in line with each other, as they act as cranks to actuate the wings. After the rear axle is assembled and fastened in place, the wings are fastened to the body. ”

“ In starting the game, the player having the foxes gets the first move. His aim is to jump and capture all the geese and win the game. Each player takes turn in moving. When crowding a goose in on a fox, the player always has another goose behind it so that the fox can not jump it. This game is one of the kind that requires foresight and study. It is highly interesting and entertaining, and by experience, players may become quite expert at the game.
Solitaire—This same board may also be used for the solitaire game. However, that requires 32 pegs. They are put in all the holes except No. ”

“ Members of the class may be appointed to distribute the tools and material at the beginning of the period, and collect them at the end. While at work, each pupil should stay at his desk and keep it neat and orderly. ”

“ The two feet should be made alike and held together when the hole for the nail is drilled thru them. The bottom of the feet will then be on the same level, and the duck will stand upright. Put a fine 1" nail thru one foot, drive it thru the body, at the proper place, and press it thru the other foot. ”

“ Then pull on the cord again, and the disk will spin in the opposite direction. By whirling the disks rapidly in this way, the colors will blend and show a new color produced by the three primary colors. The other side of the wheel may have half of it colored yellow and half colored blue. This will blend into green when spun. ”

“ It illustrates hundreds of bird houses and shows working drawings of various designs, also feeders, shelters, sparrow traps, and other bird accessories. The common house nesting birds are pictured and described with information regarding houses, foods, etc., suitable for each. ”

“ No. 15 flat-headed nails. [Pg 8] 1 lb. each of 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" brass escutcheon pins. 30 ft. of No. 12 copper-coated steel wire. A few nails of various sizes for making drills. Turpentine. Alcohol. Borax. Brushes of various sizes. Paint—red, yellow, green, blue, black and white of the paints to be used. Several good enamel paints, ready for use, are on the market. "Calcimo" is cheaper, but not so convenient, as it must be prepared.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4 BOW DRILL
The bow drill is useful for drilling small holes in wood, and may easily be made by a child. First, procure an ordinary thread spool. ”