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My grandsons live far away from me. I only see them on rare occasions, so I like to spoil them when I can. My
wife, known as grandma to the tykes, will be flying east to babysit next week. I thought I'd get busy and send my little buddies some presents that she could give them.

I have lots of scraps around, so I just let my imagination run a little bit. I made some futuristic cars, some old fashioned cars, and some odd, what the heck is that kind of cars.


I didn't use any plans, just winged it and had a little fun. Most of them roll pretty good, and they are designed to be used, not looked at. I hope they roll em, sling em, drop em, and go to sleep with them at night. They can bump them, chip the paint, use crayons on them, whatever they want.


These cars are primitive and simple, certainly not the quality I've seen on LJ, but they are for playing. When grandpa's gone, maybe my cars will still be making little ones happy. That's why I woodwork, not for money, I collect smiles.


Any of you with some scrap wood can do this. You can make your own wheels or bu y them at a craft store. Get some dowel rods and start creating. If you have some extra wood you can make someone happy! It took me a few days to make these cars, and then a couple more to paint or finish them.


The paint is Rustoleum gloss over primer, and the clear is Minwax tung oil and wipe on poly. There are no nails, no screws, and just titebond molding and trim glue holding everything together. I hope they hold up.


Grandma will give them a couple each day she's there and remind the boys that Grandpa has been thinking about them. It will be interesting to see which ones they like best. Painted or stained? Old fashioned or futuristic? Big or small? Anyway, I had fun with them and hope that they do too.

Gallery

Comments

· Banned
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Those are really cool looking Jerry. It's nice for kids to get something this nice instead of electronic gizmos as presents.
 

· In Loving Memory
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Do you ever take the grandkids into the woodshop, to make items with their own eager little hands with Grandpa's encouragement and help of course. Or would you rather do it all with them out of the way and simply present leaving the hands on stuff untill later when they get a little older and bolder. These cars would be just exactly the sort of things kids would love to make with Grandma and Grandpa. One thing is for sure like me, you adore your family I salute you and your wife for that, well done both of you lovely people.I made my little five year old Grandson Reuben, a whole lot of wooden tools which he loved I eventually with his Dad Russell , by his side showed him how they were made. He kept telling me to be careful when I used the bandsaw which I thought was very sweet.LOL Have fun Brother and Sister too .Best wishes for you all. Alistair
 

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These are fantasic Jerry! Will you be my pap?
 

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Love 'em !!!

Great graphic design! They're somewhere between toys and kinetic art.
 

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I think you need a garage too!

Nice work, you grandson will enjoy them all.
 

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Looks like you had fun. They will too!
 

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All these cars, which one will they crash first. Fun project and they will love them.
 

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Great little collection I bet they will love them all. Knowing Grandpa made them will make them even more special.

CtL
 

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Jerry, these are a great expression of your creativity and are superb grandpa gifts. Nicely done. Making things for children to play with is a great way of passing love on to others. Nothing brings a smile to your heart like seeing a child having fun with something you made. I know.

 

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I wish I had such toys when I was a kid.
 

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Love those smiling faces
 

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first that came to mind … miser, only one car … when it … I love a good grandfather's …
have a lot of dust and enjoyment with your grandsons
 

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Greg and Roger… thank you. Your input is always appreciated! And Roger, let me know sometime if you'd like to get together.

John: that is high praise from you! I admire your work very much. Thank you.

Thomas, Old Novice, Dave and Clieb… thanks guys. Yes, maybe a garage will be coming! It is fun having grandkids. It seems so long ago that I pled cars, trains, and planes with my own boys.
 

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Alistair, the grandkids are too young, but I did make a little tool bench for them. I believe that the sooner they begin learning to build the longer it will stay with them. Reubens is lucky to have a thoughtful grandpa… and I have often worried that a careless movement near my bandsaw would result in a mess!
 

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Al, your toys and contraptions are an inspiration… thanks.

Majuvia, my own grandpas never had the time for such things. I want my grandkids to remember me fondly.

Deon & Zagreb, thank you. Projects like this keep it fresh and fun!
 

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Jerry. You've got a great imagination! They are ALL Very Nice!
 

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GREAT ! All other things were already said ….
Congratulations
 

· In Loving Memory
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Those all are design very nicely and you did a fine job on them. They will love to play with them and then they will become keepsakes.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
 

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These are excellent car models! Must have been a lot cheaper to finance than the real sort though! And you can get a whole fleet of them in all the colours of the rainbow too! Haha!
 

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. With my little cars I am limited only by my imagination… not my wallet!
 
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