Educational Toys - free ebook by Louis Christian Petersen

EDUCATIONAL TOYS Consisting Chiefly of Coping-Saw Problems for Children in the School and the Home

by LOUIS C. PETERSEN, B. Sc. Director of Manual Arts, State Normal University, Carbondale, Illinois PUBLISHED BY THE MANUAL ARTS PRESS PEORIA, ILLINOIS COPYRIGHT LOUIS C. PETERSEN 1920...

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose in sending out this collection of toys is to promote among children a love for educational occupation. This book is intended to be of real service to parents and teachers who are intrusted with the arduous responsibility of child-training. It is with this object in view that the directions, drawings and photographs have been prepared. The experience of almost twenty years as a teacher has convinced the author that only when the child approaches subject-matter with interest and enthus

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TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

The equipment listed below is suggestive for ordinary class-room conditions. The number of pupils should not exceed twenty-four. Tools for each pupil : Tools for every four pupils : General class equipment and supplies :...

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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. Push a round stick six inches long thru the hole with a tight fit. Shape the top of the stick to a point ( Fig. 3 ). Drive a nail into the other end of the stick. Cut the head off the nail, hammer it flat at the end, and sharpen it with a file. In this way a drill of any size needed for the work can be made. The bow is made from a slender, flexible stick, about tw

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TRANSFERRING DESIGNS

The shapes of people, animals and birds on the plates that follow are drawn full size. They are intended to be made of wood, and may be transferred by any one of the following methods: ( a ) Place a piece of transparent paper, known as tracing paper, over the drawing in the book, and with a soft, sharp lead pencil, trace all the lines on the drawing. Cut out the traced shape with a pair of scissors. Place it on the wood, and with pencil trace along the edge of the paper pattern. ( b ) Make a tra

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WOODS

Save the thin-wood boxes found at home. Ask the store-keeper to save boxes instead of burning them. A rich supply of wood for toy-making may be secured in this way. For class work, it will be necessary to buy wood prepared and surfaced to dimensions. The thicknesses most convenient for school work are 3/16", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 7/8". While three-ply wood is best for the thin stock, the single-ply answers the purpose when due care is given to the direction of the wood fibers—the grain. Such woods a

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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

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SAWING

After the different shapes have been properly laid out on the wood, the next thing to do is to saw them out with a coping-saw. The wood is placed flat on a saw-bracket, pattern side up. This saw-bracket is fastened to the edge of a desk or a table top and should be adjusted in height so the top of it is about 6" below the child's chin. The child may stand or sit, when at work, whichever is most comfortable, but a standing position gives more freedom of movement. The wood is held and guided on th

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FASTENING TO BASES

Where toys have bases, they should be made of two or more thicknesses, one overlapping the other. The lower piece should be thicker than the upper, extending a distance equal to the thickness of the upper part. When both the toy and the base parts are ready to fasten together, hold the toy in a vise, with its feet up, and drive nails thru the upper part of the base into the feet. Then fasten the top to the lower part with escutcheon pins. Space the pins accurately....

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FASTENINGS

Several methods are employed in fastening parts together in toy-making. Where parts are joined together permanently, a thin coat of liquid glue should be rubbed on the joining surfaces with a small paddle, and then fastened with several brads. Where possible, these brads should reach thru the parts just enough to be clenched on the other side (A, Fig. 5 ). A movable joint is secured by one flat-headed nail which acts as a pivot, on which one or more of the parts turn. The nail must reach thru th

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COLORING THE TOYS

The possibilities that may be achieved in beautifying these wooden toys are almost limitless. 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. Several methods are given here. The choice of method should be guided by the child's

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THE BUZZER

This toy is made from 1/4" stock. Two 1/8" holes are located on a straight line passing thru the center, one on each side of the center and 1/4" from it. The circle is drawn with compass, and then sawed to the line. The circumference is stepped off into lengths equal to the radius, and every second point connected by line with the center. This divides the surface into three equal spaces called sectors. Color each sector with one of the primary colors—red, blue and yellow. A strong cord is slippe

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THE SHARK PUZZLE

The shark is sawed out as shown in the drawing and three holes bored. To make one of the rings, draw two concentric circles—one 1/2" radius and the other 3/4" radius. First, saw out the inner circle and then the outer. Take a piece of cord a foot long, double it and slip the loop thru the middle hole in the shark. Next, put the two ends of the cord thru the loop. Slip a ring on each end of the cord, and tie with a slip knot into the end hole in the shark. Puzzle: Transfer a ring from one end to

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DUCK

The parts for this fowl are sawed out of 1/4" stock. The edges should be sawed square and to line, and may be made smooth and slightly rounded by filing and sand-papering. 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. With round-nose pliers, be

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GOOSE

This project may be made of 3/8" stock and fastened to a platform base ( Fig. 6 ). The platform is made of two rectangular pieces one on top of the other. The upper is 1-1/2" by 2-1/4"; the lower, 2-1/4" by 3". The grain in the two pieces should cross to prevent warping. To fasten the goose to the platform, outline on the upper piece of the platform the position for the foot. Hold the goose with foot up. Drive 1-1/2" brads thru the upper piece of the platform into the foot. On the upper side of

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WILD DUCK

The body may be cut from 3/8" stock, or from heavier material if so desired. It may be whittled to natural shape with a pocket knife before fastening it onto the platform. The bill, eye and feet are colored yellow, throat, breast and tail red, head and wings dark green, and platform blue....

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HEN

The construction of this problem is similar to that of the goose. Her feet and comb are colored red, body white with black trimming, beak and platform yellow....

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DEER

The stock is 3/8" thick, the grain running vertical. It should be mounted on a wheel base 3/8" by 2" by 5-1/2" ( Fig. 7 ). The deer is colored reddish brown, but nearly white under the body and on the lower parts of the legs. Color the base black and the wheels red....

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COW

The stock is 3/8" thick. The grain of the wood should run vertical. The cow should be mounted on a wheel base 3/8" by 2" by 5-1/2". Wheels are 3/8" thick, 1-1/2" diameter. This is a Jersey cow, and should be colored accordingly. The base may be colored green, and the wheels red....

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WEASEL

This little creature is wary and swift as lightning in its movements. The stock should be 1/4" thick, the grain running lengthwise of the body. It may be mounted on rocker base 1/4" by 1-1/2" by 5" ( Fig. 8 . See text on "Minstrels," page 30 ). It is reddish brown with under part of body light....

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TIGER

This may be treated in the same way as the weasel except the coloring. Examine a tiger in the zoo, or look up some colored pictures of tigers so you will know just how to draw his stripes and just what color to make them....

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ROCKING RHINO

The rhinoceros should be cut out and colored and mounted on a platform which has rockers fastened to its edges ( Fig. 8 ). Hold the animal in the vise, head down, and nail thru the platform into the feet....

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MINSTRELS

The stock for the two minstrels, the platform and the rockers is 1/4" thick, with the grain of the wood running lengthwise in each object. The bottom of the feet of the figures should fit squarely onto the platform. The rockers are laid off with the compass. The center of the arc is on a separate piece of wood of the same thickness as the rocker. When the rockers are accurately finished and nailed to the platform, a center line is drawn along the under side of the platform, and points located to

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SQUIRREL

The squirrel is generally regarded as being wary and wild. Still, by wise and kind treatment, its timidity can be overcome, and it may become quite tame. All parts of the squirrel may be made from 1/4" stock. Saw out the body, two fore, two hind legs and a nut. Hold each pair of legs together in boring holes thru them. Smooth the parts and assemble them by firm movable joints. Color throat and breast light gray, and the remainder brown....

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PIG

This problem is worked out similar to the squirrel. It may be colored red, black or white, with large spots....

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KANGAROO

This animal has its home in Australia, where the birds are songless and the trees give no shade. 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....

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CAMEL

It is with significance that this beast is called the ship of the desert. Like a ship crossing a wide ocean of water, the camel travels across a great expanse of sand carrying heavy loads of freight. It has a wonderful endurance and can go for a week without drinking, subsisting on the coarse grass of that waste region, and the water stored up in its humps. Its dreamy eyes, sullen nature, angular figure and neutral grey-brown color—all seem to resemble the rocky desert itself....

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GIRAFFE

This creature ( Fig. 9 ) is, unquestionably, the tallest of all the beasts of the forests of Africa. It does not stoop to obtain its living from the ground, but browses on the tops of trees. It is also called the camelopard, suggesting a resemblance in shape to the camel and in color to the leopard. It is cream-colored with a shower of dark-brown spots on its back and sides....

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SWAN ROCKER

All the parts may be made from 1/4" stock. The two sides are made like the pattern. The seat is 2-1/4" wide, the back 2-1/2". Both are 3" long, and serve to unite the two sides. When the parts are finished and ready for assembling, mark on the sides the exact location of seat and back; also the position of each nail on all parts. Hold the two sides together and make small holes thru them where the nails are to be driven. Nail, in turn, the seat and back to the first side, and then to the second

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BALANCING PEACOCK

Saw out the shape of the fowl as outlined in the drawing. There is good chance for display of fine color in dark-green and blue. The breast should be colored brown. Make a small stick about 2" long for a perch. Drive a small nail into each end of the stick, and tie the ends of a fine cord to each nail. Press a brad thru the middle of the stick up into the foot of the peacock. It may then be hung up by the long loop of the string and swung freely....

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TOY DOG

This dog may be made of 3/16" or 1/4" stock. 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. Smooth the parts and color white, with large black spots on head, back, tail and legs....

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TEDDY BEAR

This animal has two pieces for the body. The head and two circular pieces hold these two pieces apart. The head and legs move on tight joints so that the bear will stay in the desired position....

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PARROT

This may be made of 1/4" stock. The base has two holes bored thru it for the uprights with fit tight into the holes ( Fig. 10 ). The perch is 2" long and has a brad in each end to swing on. These brads fit loose thru the uprights near the top ends. The parrot is sawed out, and a 3/4" brad driven up thru the foot which also fits into the hole in the middle of the perch. The parrot may be colored white with black trimmings, yellow beak and eyes, red crest, tail and foot. The wings are green. The s

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DOLL'S HOBBY HORSE

The two body pieces of the horse with rocker are sawed from 1/4" wood. The seat and back are made alike, as are also the shelf and foot-rest. The ends of these four pieces should be at right angles to the sides, and the edges should be slightly rounded. Mark carefully on both side pieces where the cross-pieces are to be fastened. Hold the two together and make fine holes thru the two thicknesses where the nails are to go thru. By driving the brads thru these holes, fasten all the cross pieces to

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STERN WHEELER

This boat is sawed out according to the drawing, and notches cut on the arms at the stern as a place for the rubber band which serves both as axle and motive power. The paddles are sawed out to fit together to form a stern wheel with four paddles. 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-

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THE WEATHER-COCK

This fowl may be made of 3/8" stock; a shingle will do. Let the grain run vertically. The perch may be made of similar stock, triple thickness, with the middle piece short to allow room for the foot of the rooster. The pieces are securely fastened together with nails, and a hole bored in the other end of the perch for a metal pivot, on which it should swing to tell the way the wind blows. Give it two coats of paint, using brilliant colors....

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ARM-CHAIR AND ROCKING-CHAIR

These two doll's chairs are similar in construction. Make them from 1/4" wood. Saw out two sides, a back and a seat for each chair. Have edges finished accurately. The seats are alike for the two chairs. The backs, also, are alike, except that the one for the rocker is 1/4" longer than the other. Assemble as shown in dotted lines, and fasten with 1" brads. The chairs may be colored white or mahogany. With due care and skill, this furniture may be made very attractive and valuable....

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DOLL'S CRADLE

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 an

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DOLL'S BED

This is a problem that will appeal to the little girl. It is also needed to complete the set of doll's house furniture. It is made of 1/4" wood and fastened with 1" brads. The grain should be run from top to bottom in the ends of the bed and lengthwise in sides and bottom. The parts should be cut out of paper full size and placed on the wood as patterns. In cutting out the ends, fold the paper on the vertical center line so as to cut the two halves at the same time. When all parts are sawed out,

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DOLL'S TABLE

This table, being part of the furniture set, may be made from 1/4" stock. The four pieces comprising the legs are made from two paper patterns that are laid out to measure, folded on the vertical center line, cut out symmetrically, then traced on the wood, sawed out, smoothed and fastened together with 3/4" brads. The top is drawn directly on the wood with compass and fastened with 3/4" brads, centrally on the legs. It is colored white, brown, mahogany or some other shade to harmonize with the g

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KITES

Kite-flying is known the world over. Every boy wants to make and fly a kite. It is a sport that is almost limitless in its possibilities. Kites may be made any size, of almost any shape and with all sorts of decorations. The two models here presented are types of practical fliers and are easily made. One needs a tail to steady it in its flight, the other is tailless, but has the cross rod sprung by means of a string into the shape of a bow. The wind is caught against the convex surface and rende

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WOOD CHOPPERS

The stock required is 1/4" thick. Two bodies, two arms with axes, and two bars are needed for this toy. The upper bar has a place 5/8" from its center which is widened to resemble a tree stump an inch high. The pairs of parts are held together while holes are being bored thru them. The shoulders of the men and arms should have small holes to make a fixed joint while the men's legs and the bars should have holes closely fitting 1" nails. Both bars are located on the side of the men on which the a

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THE BUCKING GOATS

From 1/4" stock, saw out two bodies, as shown in the full-size drawing, and two bars shown in the dimensioned drawing. Place the two bodies together and bore holes in the hind legs, as shown, for 1" nails. Do likewise with the two bars. Color the goats white, with large brown spots on their backs, necks and legs. Color the horns and hoofs black, and the bars gray or brown. Fasten with movable joints, one bar on each side of the goats, having them cross as indicated in the assembled drawing....

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PECKING HENS

Saw out two bodies and four legs for the two hens. Hold two legs together and bore five fine holes thru them as shown in the drawing. Then place one of these with each of the unbored legs and bore these, using the first pair as template for boring the second. Also bore holes in the two bodies together, saw out the two bars and bore the holes thru the two together. Saw out the upright and the tilting pans; bore holes, and fasten together with a loose joint. Enlarge the two lower holes in legs of

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ACROBAT

The body, arms and legs are made of 3/16" wood. After the acrobat is sawed out and holes are bored, paint the parts in gay colors. Assemble with loose joints. The two upright sticks are fastened to the cross piece by two 1" brads at each end, after the two holes are bored in the upper ends for the cord. It is colored green or black. Insert a strong double cord thru the frame and the hands of the acrobat. There is a twist in the cord when the legs are down, but it is straight when the arms point

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CLIMBING SAILOR

This nimble tar climbs a rope according to a style that is all his own. Pull on the string, and the friction on the two nails between his legs being greater than that between his hands, his hands glide upward. Let go, and the elastic band between his legs and arms pulls his legs up, and he thus gets a fresh grip. Saw out of 3/16" stock one body, two arms and two legs. The arms are fastened to the body with three 3/4" brads and clenched. The legs have a loose hip joint on a 1" nail with the end b

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THE JUMPING JACK

The wood should be 3/16" thick. Two of each pattern is required, except the head, which may be made of slightly thicker stock. Bore the holes as shown to form loose joints. Color the cap and body blue, thighs and upper arms yellow, calves and fore arms pink, and shoes brown. Insert small nails into edge of arms and thighs at the points where the strings are to be attached. Take two pieces of string, two feet long; tie the ends of one to nails in the arms, the ends of the other to the nails in th

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BALANCING BARRISTER

The body may be sawed from 3/8" stock as outlined in the drawing. Find its center of gravity by balancing it on a knife edge, crosswise, and then lengthwise. Draw lines along the knife edge where it balances. Where these intersect is the center of gravity. Bore a hole at this point of intersection perpendicular to the body, and so as to fit tight on a 1/4" dowel rod. Make two discs 1" diameter, 1/4" thick, with a hole to fit tight on the dowel on each side of the man. Color his shirt red, hat an

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THE DANCING RASTUS

All parts of the body are of 3/16" stock. When sawed out, the parts are colored separately and assembled. All joints should swing without friction. Therefore, bore all holes larger than the nail, thru all thicknesses, except the one nearest to the point of the nail. At elbows and knees have the heads of the nails on the inside. At the shoulders place a small wheel between the arms and body, and use a 1-1/2" nail for pivot, with plenty of play. The platform ( Fig. 12 ) is of thin, springy wood, 1

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THE SPANKING ESQUIMAUX

The stock for all parts is 1/4" thick except for the oar and broom which should be 1/8" thick. Saw out the two figures, wheels and bars. Hold the two wheels together and bore two holes for the pivot nails. Do similarly to the bars. Assemble wheels and bars temporarily to mark places on the wheels where the feet of the figures will be fastened. Saw out the oar and broom. Color all the parts separately in bright contrasting values to bring out the outlines of the arms and other parts of the figure

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WABBLER

This toy is made so that the wabbler can go or glide down the ladder on his elbows. The ladder is made from soft wood 3/8" to 1/2" thick, 2-1/2" wide, and 20" long. The openings are cut as shown, and nails located and driven in exactly as indicated in the drawing. The ladder is then securely fastened to the base which is made of 3/4" wood, 3-1/2" square. The wabbler is sawed out of 1/4" wood. A full-sized drawing is shown. This is all one piece without openings. Features and parts of the body ar

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FALLING TEETER-TOTTER

The stock for the upright piece and end supports is 3/8" thick; that for the two boys and teeter-totter is 1/4" thick. The upright is made 2" wide and 28" long. On the center line lay off points 1-3/8" apart. With these as centers, draw semi-circles of 1" radius alternately on both sides of center line. From each center draw lines tangent to the circles, as shown in the drawing. Saw to these lines and curves, and finish the edges so that they are smooth. Saw out two boys and the teeter-totter bo

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TUMBLING TOMMIE

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 l

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THE BUSY PUP

All parts of this article are made of 1/4" wood except the ears which should be 1/8" thick. Saw out one body, a pair each of fore legs, hind legs, ears and tail, and the push-rod and guide. The guide is made of four pieces and fastened together with glue and brads, as shown in the drawing. The two pairs of legs are fastened to the body by loose joints. Holes are bored thru one end of the push-rod and the forefeet; also thru the projecting end of the guide and hind feet. Fasten that end of the gu

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THE DINKEY BIRD

When properly made up, this bird can bob its head and tail up and down. A swinging pendulum supplies the motive power. The parts are shown in the drawing full size, except the clamp that holds the Dinkey in upright position ( Fig. 15 ). The head, tail and body pieces, one with and one without the leg, are sawed from 1/4", the back (E) from 5/16", the wedge from 3/8", and the clamp from 1/2" stock. Finish all edges. Drill 1/16" holes at A and B. Put the two body pieces together so they coincide,

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PELICAN SEWING STAND

Whether or not this article may be within the toy class, one thing is certain: It is useful as well as ornamental. The pelican is made of three thicknesses. The middle piece is 3/8" and the two outside ones 1/4" thick. The middle piece has parts cut away to give room for the pin-cushion, and in the head, an opening is left to give place for scissors, which, in turn, serve as the bird's beak. The cushion is stuffed with cotton or some other suitable material, and covered with a double thickness o

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WHIRLIGIG

This little device might also be called a child's aeroplane, for it soars up into the air over houses and trees, and makes everybody around crane his neck in wonder. The parts consist of the flyer, a spool and the handle. First, get an ordinary thread spool, bore two holes in one end and drive in two six-penny nails. Cut off the heads 3/8" from the end of the spool and file the ends round and smooth. Take a piece of strong wood (yellow pine will do) about 7" long and 3/4" square. Whittle down on

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THE CART

This practical project is of heavier stock than most toys. However, dimensions and sizes of stock may be modified to suit the convenience and wishes of the maker. The box may be of 3/8" stock, the axle and tongue of 3/4", and the wheels of 1/2" or 3/4". Heavy round-headed screws with washers under the heads, fitting thru holes bored in the wheels and screwed securely into the ends of the axle, form the bearings. Take care to bore the holes thru the wheels and into the ends of the axle the proper

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THE WAGON

The stock required for the box of the wagon is 1/4" thick, for the wheels 3/8", for the tongue 1/2", and for the axles 3/4". The axles are 5-1/2" long; the rear one is 1" wide; the front one is 7/8" wide, as shown in the drawing. The holes for the screws in the ends of the axles are bored 3/8" from the lower side. The screws are heavy, 1-1/2" round-headed, with metal washers under the heads. The holes in the wheels are bored true, and so that they will just slip over the screws. The tongue is co

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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/

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THE DODO BIRD

Until recently this bird has been considered extinct, but is here revived to show what it may have appeared like. In this case it has chosen to perambulate on four wheels and maintain a bobbing motion of the head and body by means of a connecting rod between the breast and a crank on the front axle. The body swings on a pivot between two uprights which we will call the wings. These wings are held apart by a piece between the feet, which is slightly thicker than the body to give the body freedom

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ROCKING-HORSE AND RIDER

The body of the horse is shown full size and may be sawed from 3/8" wood. All the other parts should be made of 1/4" wood and have the grain run lengthwise. Two fore and two hind legs are required. The upper end of each leg is tapered off on the side that fits against the body so that the feet will be far enough apart to be fastened on the inside of the rockers (see end view B ). Each pair of legs should be fastened to the body with a nail thru the three thicknesses at the place marked. Saw out

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ANIMATED ELEPHANT

The body is composed of three thicknesses. The two on the outside are 1/4" thick, the one in between is 3/8" thick, and reaches only to the dotted line ( Fig. 18 ), to allow room for the head which is 3/8" thick and moves between the two outside pieces with 1-1/4" nail as pivot. This is a loose joint. Saw out the platform and wheels to dimensions. The connecting rod should be of wood 1/8" thick and 1/4" wide. A hole is bored near the end that is pivoted to the throat of the elephant; in the othe

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THE BUCKING MULE

Saw out of 3/8" stock the bodies of the mule and rider ( Fig. 19 ). All legs and arms are of 3/16" stock. Two circles to be placed between the man's arms and shoulders are of 1/4" wood. The connecting rod, marked Z, Z ( Fig. 20 ), shown full size and of 3/8" stock, is to connect the fore legs of the mule and the crank on the axle. Fasten the legs to the mule and arms and legs to the rider with loose joints. Then take rod Z, Z, and make the fork-like cut in the wide end and drill a small hole thr

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FOX-AND-GOOSE GAME

This game is played by two people on a board with 33 holes, as shown in the drawing. The board may be made either square or octagonal. The octagon is made from a square by placing one point of the compass at a corner and the other point at the center of the board. With each corner in turn as a center, draw arcs intersecting the edges of the board. Connect these points of intersection across the corners of the board; saw off the four triangles. Smooth the edges and chamfer. Lay out and bore the h

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NINE MEN'S MILL

This is a game that is played by two persons and is as fascinating as it is old. The upper part of the board is 3/8" thick and has 24 holes bored thru it, as shown in the drawing. The lower board is 7-1/2" square and 1/4" thick, and extends 1/4" beyond the top board on all sides. The grain in the two boards should run at right angles when fastened together. The 18 pegs are 3/8" in diameter and 1" long. Each player has a set of 9 pegs, the sets being differently colored. In starting a game, each

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DISK PUZZLE

This problem consists of a base, three spindles and seven disks of different diameters. The spindles are fitted tight into holes in the base and rounded at the top so the disks will slide over freely. The seven disks are laid out on the wood with compass, and to prevent splitting the holes are all bored before the sawing is done. The parts may receive a finish of stain and two or three coats of shellac. Polish with No. 1/2 sand-paper between each coat. Puzzle —Place all disks on one spindle, dec

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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 ). 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 lo

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KNOTS AND BRAIDS

Most of us are called upon, in the course of our daily duties, whether afloat or ashore, in camp or at home, to hitch up pack animals, do up packages, equipments and outfits, and make fastenings on sails, tents, scaffolding and play apparatus. This involves the tying of a great number of knots and in many cases life and limb depend upon the correct tying of those knots. The seamen, textile workers and civil engineers are pastmasters of the art. Our scouts, sailors and soldiers are taught knot-ty

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TOY PATTERNS

By MICHAEL C. DANK A collection of full-size toy patterns. Toys which make a strong appeal to the child. 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 fascinati

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