I'll be building some rocking horses and was wondering what to use for a finish or sealer on them. I'll be using pine.
I just want to make sure that they will be safe for children to chew on. For small indoor toys like this is it advisable to just leave them unfinished. Thanks in advance.
Allan
Unfinished wood takes on dirt and stays dirty :( Just avoid finishes with lead in them and they will be fine, kids can eat a lot more than their parents give them credit for :D I used a water based urethane on the rocker I built for my granddaughter when she was 1 year old. She is twelve now and still has all her teeth ;)
I always like to stain, sand, and then use sanding sealer. This gives you a good base on which to apply whatever you want. Poly is always good.
Back in the day when I made lots of rocking horses, Poly was always the way to go. One trick is to use steel wool between coats to knock down any dust bumps. Make sure you round all of the edges too. This will both prevent slivers and make it less likely to injure the children using them. I like using a rounding router bit, set in a router table, to be able to round all of the edges. Goes real quick and then only need light sanding to complete the rounded edge.
Another vote for the polyurethane of your choice. They are all non-toxic when finished, and make for a much more durable and cleanable surface.
Any modern paint is also safe, just avoid that can of 50 year old red lead roof paint that might be in the back of the shed :D
Ian
Thanks guys. I ended up with stain and sanding sealer. The more I think on it, I'll probably get some poly also. They had 1x's done up with every variety of stains, sealers and finishes possible down at the hardware store and I kind of liked the look of the stain and sealer. We'll see what happens.
The bosses son showed up while I was about to start planning boards and decided he wanted to make one also, so he's making an elephant style rocking horse (rocking elephant?) and I'll be making a rocking biplane and a couple rocking horses of different styles.
Allan
A rocking ZOO ??? :)
I made a Merrylegs rocking horse for my oldest granddaughter about 5 or 6 years ago out of pine and painted it. It has held up well and has been well used by her and her twin brothers a lot. I'll be making another for my youngest granddaughter soon. If I had used oak or maple, I would have considered a stain and polyurethane varnish, but I don't like the looks of stain on pine.
The stain I picked is real light, I just want enough color to hide a little dirt.
The sealer I got has polyurethane in it already, but I'll probably change my mind a few times as to the final look.
Thanks for all the input.
Allan
Here's what I've come up with so far. I had found a picture of one and just drew up my own ideas on shape and size.
I still have more to do than I've done, but it's coming together.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/002%7E1.JPG)
Since pine is soft, an extra deluxe finish would be: Stain, Deft tung oil with urethane, wipe on poly.
The Deft soaks in and brings the urethane with it hardening deeper than poly alone. The Deft tung oil also comes with color.
Love the air plane. The kids will really enjoy it.
I like that bi-plane! I'm considering building about a stationary 8 footer in the backyard for the grandchildren. I'll put a wooden twin barreled machine gun on the top wing. 8)
Charlie, I like your idea with making one for a yard toy to climb on.
These will go to the local toy drive so I was just wanted to be safe on what finishes to use.
Thanks.
Allan
Those look great Allan!! I did a rocking airplane (roughly patterned after our 185 for my first niece, years ago... still have it, and she rocked the wings off it! haha
For a finish, you might check these guys out. Awesome products and all safe to use and ship....
http://www.stewartsystems.aero/category/39/wood-finishing
John
Thanks John.
By the way, do you ever make it to this end of the state? I live right near the airport in Colstrip.
Allan
I wasn't too far from you the other day, Allan. I passed through Hardin and Billings on my to and back from Nebraska. I hauled sugar beets from Hardin to Billings one winter, about 35 years ago... Once in a while, I wind up going that direction, and now that I know you're that close, I'll holler! I think we'll be headed to Denver for the Stock Show with babies in January, and sometime I'll most likely be headed back to NE with the hitch wagon I'm making into a bed for our Granddaughter. You just never can tell where I'll turn up! hahhaa
Feel free to holler, John. I have corrals at my house if your animals need a break and some water on the way to Denver. MapQuest shows it at just under halfway.
By January my corrals are generally empty, just give a day or so heads up.
Allan
Thanks Allan! We might just do that! (you may be sorry! hahha)
Well, the little rocking plane thing is starting to look like something. I'm not sure if I want to leave the legs how they are or add some wheels, plus it still needs some dowels between the wings and a prop. Other than that I just need to do some final sanding and start the finishing.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/032.JPG)
If it's got 2 wings, it's GOTTA have a round engine! ;)
That's kind of what I was thinking too. A round 2x with the prop attached to that.
Allan
Well, here's the finished product.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/017.JPG)
I spent a bit of time looking through others projects, asked questions and am pretty satisfied with the outcome.
I know for darned sure that I'll spend more time sanding on the next one. That darned poly magnifies any defects whatsoever.
Thanks to this site and the folks that contribute their experiences here it turned out good. Thank you all.
Allan
allan, that turned out fantastic. Good for you in helping with the toy drive! with that prototype you could start making a few per day :laugh:
mark
Your craftsmanship is unbelievable. I'm impressed.
Awesome job Allan!!!
Thanks guys. I feel pretty good about it. I learned a bit, re-learned a bit, and had a great time doing it.
Allan
Great job justallan. Some little guy is really going to enjoy that.
Norm
Very nice job, Allan.
Great job! Really nice finished in clear and not painted.
Nice job Allen,makes Me think of Snoopy ;D
Ya have to add a scarf,for the pilot to don,before taking to the skies ;)
Jim
Nice Rocking Plane!
Thanks guys. I had fun building it.
Allan
Very nice, and we had fun watching you having fun building it. ;D
Very nice plane Alllan. If you want so decals cut for it, let me know and I will send them to you for free.
Thank you very much, Busy Beaver. I may be in touch with you, but the next few projects are sold, so I would either pay you or make a contribution to the forum, or both. I'm getting things set up (slowly) to start doing some woodwork and possibly set up a stand here locally at the crafts fair next year.
Allan