The following drawings vary in difficulty from those within the ability of a nine or ten-year-old child to those which should not be attempted by a child under junior high school age. Of course there are younger boys, who possess especial ability in this line of work and who can successfully carry through projects which the ordinary child of a like age would fail to satisfactorily complete. Such boys are, however, the exception.

For the younger workman the following outfit is ample:

One coping saw frame.

One dozen saw blades.

A sloyd knife or a pocket knife with a small stone to keep it sharp.

Some No. 1 sandpaper, a small can of glue and some one inch brads.

The whole outfit will cost about a dollar.

A small plane is very convenient, but it is not absolutely necessary for work for younger children.

A board on which the sawing is done, to prevent marring the table, can be made from a piece of boxwood 7/8" × 6" × 12". A hole should be bored about three inches from one end and half way between the sides, and a V-shaped notch should be cut from the end of the board to the hole. The photograph on Page 20 shows the sawing board in use and illustrates two methods of constructing and holding the board. See also Plate 2 for method of making these boards. If a vise is available matters are very much simplified.

With the above described outfit, toy animals, toy furniture, jumping-jacks and other simple toys of a like nature can be made.

The material should be thin wood from the thickness of cigar box wood (which by the way is especially good to use for some of the toys), up to one-half inch in thickness.

Composition board, such as Beaver Board and similar wall board, is very good for the smaller toys but lacks strength and cannot be handled roughly.

Three-ply veneered wood may be obtained from firms which specialize in veneer. It is strong and serviceable but a little more expensive than the plain wood.

Bass and pine are excellent woods to use in toy-making, as they work very easily and are light in weight.

For the older boy, who will no doubt be handy about the house, the following tools are suggested:

1 Rip saw.
1 Turning saw.
1 Claw hammer.
1 Screw driver.
1 Half round file, No. 10.
1 Ruler.
1 Jack, or smooth, plane.
1 Brace, set of bits and countersink.
A 1/2" and 1" chisels.
1 Try square.
1 Pair of 6" dividers.
1 Knife.

This outfit should cost about $25. Other tools may be added by the boy himself as the necessity arises.

If a bench is not available at first, a temporary one may be made from a stout dry goods box and a more satisfactory one purchased later with money earned by the boy by making things for others.

Cheap tools are an expensive investment as they are never satisfactory. A few tools of good quality should be purchased to start with, and others should be added as necessity demands and funds permit.