A bunch of toys made about 40 years ago

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A user shared their experience of rediscovering handmade wooden toys created nearly 40 years ago for their daughter, now visiting with her children from Laos. The toys, stored for about 30 years, showed slight signs of moisture damage, including some mildew on one piece. The user reminisced about the wooden racing car kits from their childhood, noting the appealing wood wheels and unique shapes of the toys. In response to inquiries, they clarified that the wheels and axles were purchased from a toy parts store rather than made on a lathe. They confirmed the use of purpleheart wood for one toy and padauk for another, which changes color over time. The discussion highlighted the nostalgia and craftsmanship involved in creating and preserving childhood toys.
phinds
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My daughter and her 3 young'ns are here from Laos for the entire summer and she asked me to dig out some of the toys I made for her brother almost 40 years ago, so here is the first batch.

These were wrapped in butcher paper and put in a cardboard box about 30 years ago. Tiny bit of moisture seeped in. You can see the middle piece in the first pic has a slight patina of mildew or fungus or something.


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The cars remind me of wooden racing car kits we built in Cub Scouts over 60 years ago. I like the wood wheels which appear to be fastened to a rolling axle (?). Cool shapes and grains in the bodies, as well. The racing kit consisted of light balsa wood intended for oil paint and decals.
 
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Klystron said:
I like the wood wheels which appear to be fastened to a rolling axle (?).
Oh, yeah. These roll quite nicely.
 
phinds said:
Oh, yeah. These roll quite nicely.
Did you turn those wheels and axles in a lathe?
 
Very nice and creative toys! I like the different textures and colors of woods. Did you use any purple heart?
 
Lnewqban said:
Did you turn those wheels and axles in a lathe?
Nope, cheated and bought them from a toy parts store
 
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docnet said:
Very nice and creative toys! I like the different textures and colors of woods. Did you use any purple heart?
Yes, the top item in the last pic is purpleheart. The other red one is padauk (started out bright red but it darkens with age).
 
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