Helicopter
The design for this toy came from Doug Brown and his Wood-to-Wonderful
charity. Helicopters are one of the more unusual vehicles for a toy but
kids really like it.
It is provided for your use
free of charge. It is not intended for commercial use.
If you are so inclined, a tax deductible donation to our
charity would be appreciated. Mail to: Woodworkers for Children,
21 Wild Hunt Court, Laytonsville, MD 20882.
WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Band Saw (or scroll saw or coping saw)
- Drill Press and 7/32", 15/64", and 25/64" drill bits
- Sander
PARTS LIST
- body . . . . . . . . . 3 3/4 in. x 2 in. x 3/4 in. walnut
- blade. . . . . . . . . 2 7/8 x 3/4 in. x 1/4 in. birch
- blad cap . . . . . . . 1 in. x 3/8 in. wheel
- blade axle . . . . . . 7/32 in. axle peg
- wheels (4) . . . . . . 1 in. dowel cap
- axles. . . . . . . . . 3/8 in. dowel
- wood glue, sand paper, mineral oil.
INSTRUCTIONS
- One may use a solid piece of wood as the helicopter body
or one may glue up a body with different colored wood to make
it more interesting. Here is one example of a multi-colored
body.
Glue two pieces of 15/16" x 3/4" walnut and one piece of
1/8" x 3/4" birch together to form wood for body. The birch
forms a stripe between the walnut.
- Trace pattern onto helicopter body.
- Cut out the body using a band saw. Leave the line!
- Sand the helicopter body to remove band saw marks using
the line as a guide.
- Use a router with 1/16" round over bit to round edges of body.
One may also use sandpaper to round the edges.
- Use sander to round end of blade and drill a hole in its
center using a 15/64" drill bit.
- Drill the hole in the top of the helicopter for the blade.
Use a 7/32" drill bit. It should be deep enough to hold the
blade axle.
- Drill the front and rear axle holes in the body.
Use a 13/32" drill bit. The centers of the holes are located
5/16" from the bottom and about 9/16" from the front and back.
- Assemble the blade axle through the 1" wheel and blade.
Glue it in the hole in the top of helicopter body.
- Cut front and rear axles to length. Assemble axles in axle
holes and glue dowel caps to ends of axles.
- When the glue has dried, ensure all wheels still turn freely
and can not be pulled off the body. Check for rough spots and
sand if necessary.
- Apply mineral oil to the wood and let it absorb overnight.
Mineral oil is used because it is an eatable oil so there is no
harm if a child puts the toy in its mouth. It is available
in drug stores.
TOY PART SOURCES
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