Customer Reviews

Great Book of Wooden Toys: More Than 50 Easy-To-Build Projects (American Woodworker)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been building toys from this book for over fifteen years and find the plans clear and easy to follow. The author has plans for cars, construction vehicles, airplanes, boats and trains. All the toys can be made with common pine found at one of the building supply houses. I have not had any trouble interpreting the drawings or instructions. I like that most of the lumber required can be glued up from stock sizes from the store.

This book is OK. Not great, not horrible, but OK. There are a lot of projects in here (they say 50) however several of them are individual cars for a train set, which I would argue are pieces of a single project and not separate projects. The stuff looks nice in some cases but the aesthetics that two of the other notable authors come up with are a bit better, namely Jim Makowicki two books and Les Neufeld book on building toy trucks, which look a bit more like pieces of art.

My main complaint is that this book kind of misses the mark by making things too complex in several cases, or the drawings/templates are too small to be useful, or it makes the toys so simple you don't really need this book to help you. I doubt I'll make any projects from this book.

Like I said, try Makowicki or Neufeld, they have cooler projects, better step-by-step, and nicer drawings. Plus, the toys look way cooler.

I bought this book for my brother who enjoys woodworking as one of his favorite hobby's. He made the entire animal train set for his niece using this book. And it truely came out amazing, even through the wear and tear that a 2 year old can inflict on all her toys, her train never fails. He can't wait to try out making one of the airplanes!

I bought this as a gift for my Dad, who is a very good builder. He has had a blast building from it. He just completed the train - so many cars that it needed a special shelf built long enough to hold it! Even though the designs are basic, there are still nice details that add interest.

This book came one day when the 4 year old grandson was here. He got it first and wanted to know when we were going to make these. When he comes, he wants to sit down and look through this book. My summer time this year will be busy making these toys. You can be sure he'll make modifications as he sees them. I can't ask for more.

Just as described. It's a book of projects and plans to build classic toys from wood. It's well written and organized, simple and down to earth. There are plenty of pictures, diagrams and plans. If you need inspiration and plans to build simple, straightforward "old style" toys for gifts, sale or collectors, this will be a great start.

This is an excellant book. The photos are top quality, and the descriptions and detailed drawings are concise and easy to follow.

I think my husband is going to enjoy this book. He is always looking for new things to try.

Thay are very good books hope to see more the kids love them thank you

I am extremely unhappy...The book was ordered a month ago and has still not arrived. Poor service, terrible really I put in one star because your system won't allow me to offer NO STARS