Tonight, I had to make some wooden toy cars for a birthday party.
I have always had a little trouble when using pre-made axles for toy wooden cars. I either sink the first axle too deep and the wheel will not turn. That, or I sink it too deep when I flip the car over to drive in the second axle. I needed something to stop all this silliness.
Tongue depressors save the day
I cut a notch in the end of two tongue depressors and laid them on the car body with the notch around the axle. When you drive the axle into the body, the tongue depressor stops it with just the right spacing. I made two so I can leave the first one in place when I drive the opposing axle in. This keeps me from sinking the first axle too deep when driving the second one.
I think that they will be well received at the party.
So, if you are making toys with little wooden axles – get yourself some tongue depressors.
Happy making,
Jim
Make Stuff With Your Hands 