Introduction: How to Make a Toy Turtle by Skyler

Skyler's Toy Turtle

Step 1: Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Here are the things you will need

  • A Bandsaw
  • A Drill Press
  • Drill Bits 1”
  • Belt sander and handheld sander
  • Router Table with ¼” round over bit
  • Safety Goggles
  • Axles and Wheels - 1.25” wheels and axles from any hobby store
  • Glue
  • Green paint and a black pen
  • 2”x6” stock wood to cut your animal out of

  • ⅛” Card stock to cut your template

Step 2: Step 2: Find Your Picture

  • The next step will be to find the turtle picture that fits you.
  • Go on google and find the picture you want, right click and save as.
  • Then name your picture and click OK and you should be set.
  • I chose this one because of the side view and I liked the overall picture.

Step 3: Step 3: Print Your Picture

  • After you find your picture print it out by opening the photo and clicking the file tab on the top right.
  • Next press print and choose your printer.

Step 4: Step 4: Trace Your Picture

  • After you find and print your picture trace it onto a scrap piece of wood around the shop.
  • Try to get the animal tracing close to edges so it will be easier to cut in the future steps.

Step 5: Step 5: Cutting Your Animal

  • Now you will need safety goggles so put them on.
  • When cutting your animal to your desired shape make sure to keep your fingers away from the band saw.
  • Make your animal exaggerated and cartoonish while cutting and try your best not to make any extra marks.

Step 6: Step 6: Drilling Wheel Holes

  • Keep your safety goggles on for the next few steps.
  • Using the drill press put one piece of wood under your toy and have people hold the turtle on each side.
  • Line up the drill so that it is at the bottom and make sure no edges will scrape on the ground.
  • Then turn the wheel until the drill goes all the way through the wood

Step 7: Step 7: Router the Edges

  • When using the router tool to round the edges always test the bit on a scrap piece of wood first.
  • Slowly move your turtle across the bit and make sure both sides are smooth and rounded.
  • Always keep fingers away from the bit and make sure to wear goggles while using this machine.

Step 8: Step 8: Sanding Your Toy

  • When sanding your turtle toy make sure to use the handheld sander and the belt sander.
  • Work your way up the sand papers by going from 150 to 220 at the least.
  • Make sure all the marks are gone and the whole thing feels smooth.

Step 9: Step 9: Paint Your Toy

  • Paint your turtle with green paint and a black pen.
  • Using the black pen make the shell shape around the whole turtle and make sure that you can see the wood.
  • Also use the black pen to make the eye and a smile if you want.
  • Then using the green paint the rest of the turtle except for the wheels.

Step 10: Step 10: Setting Up Your Wheels

  • To set up your wheels get one wheel onto one of the axels and glue all 4 of the wheels into the holes you drilled using the drill press.
  • Make sure that the toy can move smoothly and if not you might have to drill your holes one more time.

Step 11: Step 11: You Did It!

  • Congratulations! This project is really fun to make and I had a great time making it.
  • My turtle turned out really good and I hope yours does too.