The huge recall of Chinese toys is much in the news these days. Holidays
are coming so this might be a good time to use lathe and bandsaw to make
some simple children's folk toys that are safe for children, a relief
for parents, nostalgic for grandparents and usually played with more
often than battery powered plastic toys that have very short half lives.
My grands preferred brooms, pots and pans.

I don't have a camera, but the net is full of sites to give you ideas.
Dick Schnacke's "American Folk Toys" is a classic and there are many
more. Many of us remember rubber guns made from bicycle inner tubes and
clothes pins. Younger kids pulled or pushed home made trains and trucks
made from wood blocks. Older boys made slingshots and popguns that shot
china berries or little parachutes, whistles and turkey calls, put &
take spin tops. There's no limit and folks, these toys are art (folk
art) and they become heirlooms. It's just a matter of getting started in
our turning shops. I bet worried grandparents woud snap em up ....or buy
one to copy! Just don't paint them, even with lead free paint!


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


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