Build a Toy Train to Fight for What's Right

Step 7 Carve Out the Beautifully Arched Cab Roof

NOTE -- 3 photographs.

Here I carve out the "scrap" (*it ain't scrap!) from the cab area. Many ways to do this: choose what you like.

(* Makes me think about the term "weed" -- what is a weed, what is a piece of scrap? It just makes you think.)

1. I drilled down with drill press, then

2. hogged out other stuff with saw as shown, then

3. smoothed the inside curve a little with a curved carving chisel. More will follow, but first I test-fit the cab parts. Therefore,

4. Cut the side-cab pieces from 3/4 pine (or whatever). I made the side walls (on which the roof will be glued) extend a little last the back of the roof (looked cool) and rounded off those edges on the belt sander.

5. Roughen all surfaces that will be glued with a rasp or 40 grit sandpaper.

NOTE ON ROUNDING EDGES -- Generally a good idea on wooden toys because (a) better damage resistance and (b) when the child bonks her/his sibling with the toy, the skull-shattering forces are spread out a little = good.