Toylanders.

[Bush Tucker Man]

Garage & Workshop fully wired & lit a couple of weeks ago.

Just got to persuade SWMBO not to put all the gardening stuff in my workshop.
I need space for 8x4 sheets of MDF

[wifey]

will Amelia still fit in it (or want it) when you've finished Richard?

[Bush Tucker Man]

will Amelia still fit in it (or want it) when you've finished Richard?

I jolly well hope so Tina :lol:

Or is that a pre-emptive bid :?:  :lol:

[dirtyboy]

Hi,  Have you  started your toylander yet?  I'm looking to build one and was wondering what pit falls to look out for.  Brought my plans at Billing this year but have only now got time to make a start.


Jerry.

[ibexman]

Aye, i've built one for my daughters.
if i was building another, i would be extremely careful about cutting out the panels etc.  I would measure them out on the mdf rather than stick on the plans.  So i had a lot of "fitting" to do when putting it together.
Apart from that its all fairly straightforward except it takes awhole lot more hours than advertised.  We started mid september 2 years ago and finished it on xmas eve 2 years ago.  great fun building it and the kids love it.  when funds allow, i'll put the second motor in.  tip number 2 - do the cutouts etc for a second motor so that you can fit it at a later stage if not doing it from the beginning.
if i think of anything else i'll post it
regards
dom

[dirtyboy]

Thanks bush tucker.  Ive searched the net and there isnt much info on fitting.  I did find a comment of cutting out the patterns and then drawing round them rather than sticking them to the mdf.  What do you think to that?  How much time did you work on it during the 3 months?  Would you recommend making as much as possible myself or buying stuff.  I'm going in the direction of buying as at least it should fit and work if I do that.  One other thing how did you paint it and what sort of finish did you get.  Do you have any photos?

[Bush Tucker Man]

Thanks bush tucker.    
Do you have any photos?

 :oops:  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:
Believe it or not, it's still in the boxes at a friends house.

I keep meaning to go & get it & start it, it'll stop me sitting on the PC all night instead :lol:  :lol:

[dirtyboy]

lol.  Well when your ready.  lol

[ibexman]

Sounds a good idea drawing round the plans, but I'd then measure as well to make sure all true etc.
i got all the bits at the same as the plans - i don't have metal working facilities or a welder nor the time to source all the bits individually.

worked on it for about 2-3 hours a night, 3 days a week over the 3 month period.

i painted it by hand with coach paint, the finish is ok for what is at the end of day a kids toy which gets scuffed and bashed etc.

pictures attached:

regards

dom

[dirtyboy]

Thanks Ibex man.  It looks great.  Good point about the finish.  doesnt sound to bad either 2-3 hours 3 times a week for 3 months.  In fact that sounds quicker than I thought.  I'm in no hurry as my daughters only just turned 2.   :-) I'm not sure what you mean about measuring up?  how do you know what the measurements should be?  

Jerry

[woody]

i wanted to build one for littl'uns xmas pres
think i'm pushing it now
maybe next year

[ibexman]

jerry
i mean about the measurements - to ensure that if you have two pieces that are supposed to be mirror images of each (eg- the side panels) - that they are actually mirror images if you see what i mean.
when we stuck the plans on and then cut the mdf we found that the pieces weren't quite the same shape - may be the plans slightly stretched when sticking.
its well worth spending a lot of time making sure the panels are true and accurate before cutting them.
hth
regards
dom

[dirtyboy]

I see thanks for the tip.  I see what you mean.  Maybe I'll use one pannel to draw round for the next one?

Jerry

[woody]

are the toylanders made all from wood or do they have a chassis

[Bush Tucker Man]

are the toylanders made all from wood or do they have a chassis

Wooden through & through.
Think of it more as a monocoque design