A wooden toy with a fresh beeswax finish looks like a wooden toy in a magazine. A wooden toy after a year of being chewed, drooled on, dropped, and wiped down looks dry, grey, and tired. The good news: bringing it back is a fifteen-minute job. The better news: each renewal makes the toy look […]
Author Archives: Jess Reid
A wooden teether is one of the most thoughtful baby-shower gifts you can give — and one of the most rewarding small builds in the workshop. It also has the lowest tolerance for shortcuts in the whole MAKE series, because it's the one toy that's designed to be mouthed. Get the wood wrong, get the […]
If you've ever stood in a toy aisle squinting at the back of a box looking for the words "ASTM F963" or "EN71," this guide is for you. These standards are the closest thing the toy world has to a universal "is this safe?" checklist. They're also widely misunderstood — both by parents who think […]
The wood you choose for a kid's toy matters more than the toy itself in some ways. The wrong species can splinter dangerously, contain irritant oils, or be too soft to survive a year of toddler use. The right species lasts a generation and feels right in small hands. After years of restoring vintage children's […]
Of all the questions parents ask when they see one of Chris's builds in the workshop, the most common is: "Is it safe for the baby to put in her mouth?" The answer depends entirely on what you finish it with. The wood itself is almost never the problem. The finish is. I've been restoring […]
03
May
May
Best Adhesive For Structural Joints In Engineering Selecting the right adhesive is critical for creating durable, high-strength structural joints in engineering applications across industries like construction, infrastructure, mining, automotive, aerospace and more. The adhesive must be able to withstand dynamic stresses, impacts, vibration, fatigue and Australia’s harsh climate while firmly bonding dissimilar materials such as […]
08
Dec
Dec
Best Gun Stock Finish for A Rifle Or Shot Gun When you buy a gun and doing your research, you are not warned enough about the maintenance required. You were probably told to clean the rifle, but not that it needs regular maintenance. The best finish for rifle stock is the easiest to apply and […]
30
Nov
Nov
The Best Finish for Walnut Table Tops When Sealing or Restoring I have tried many finishes in order to find the one that works best for me. The Rubio Monocoat Oil was chosen because it’s high-quality, versatile and durable. There’s a beauty to this: there is no “one-size-fits all” answer. Different solutions are needed for […]
20
Sep
Sep
11 Best Waterproof Paint For Wood As spring turns into summer, homeowners look to improve their homes, fences, decks and other outdoor structures. Use the best waterproof wood paint to protect your investment against the elements. You’re in luck because I have compiled a comprehensive list of the top water-sealing wood paints available today. I will […]
20
Sep
Sep
Can You Paint Over Polyurethane Sealant? Have you ever wondered what benefits there could be if polyurethane is applied over paint? Even seasoned DIY’ers hesitate when asked this question. It’s a real eye-opener to learn that the right paint application can increase your paint’s life by up to 50%! With a background of over 15 years […]
- 1
- 2