Puzzles

[coldwood]

I scrolled out the train puzzle from the scroll saw woodworking & crafts book from the winter addition for my grandkids.

I want to leave the front of the puzzle natural wood. How would they know the front from the back.

It's 21 Pieces so I would want them to know what Is front otherwise it's like 42 pieces

If I paint the back, they may think that is the front.

Thanks Jim

Edited December 7, 2019 by coldwood
add clarification

[John B]

Just initial the back or place an X on each piece or even use an adhesive star or dot on the back of the pieces.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

8 hours ago, coldwood said:

I scrolled out the train puzzle from the scroll saw woodworking & crafts book from the winter addition for my grandkids.

I want to leave the front of the puzzle natural wood. How would they know the front from the back.

If I paint the back, they may think that is the front.

Thanks Jim

So what??  The train is just going the opposite direction. As long as the keep all sides the same. 

[dgman]

JT is right! It should not matter unless you used plywood with only one Side good.

[lawson56]

I agree with dgman.

[Fab4]

9 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

So what??  The train is just going the opposite direction. As long as the keep all sides the same. 

Hi John:
Wouldn't that confuse the kids? or Grown ups...
They won't know if they're coming or going...LOL
Fab4

[coldwood]

14 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

So what??  The train is just going the opposite direction. As long as the keep all sides the same. 

So the train is 21 piece , if the young child doesnt know front from back that's 42 pieces.

That's too many pieces for a young child. 

[Fab4]

Look above at John B's @John Bpost
Simplest and easiest way to go

How young are we talking here?
Fab4

[teachnlearn]

Use child safe stain or paint on the back, The back will be against the floor or table and the natural wood train will be up. RJF

[coldwood]

18 hours ago, Fab4 said:

Look above at John B's @John Bpost
Simplest and easiest way to go

How young are we talking here?
Fab4

One is 3 years ,another is 4 years and another is 8 years. It's the 3 & 4 year olds Im thinking about.

[coldwood]

18 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

Use child safe stain or paint on the back, The back will be against the floor or table and the natural wood train will be up. RJF

What is a good child safe stain and paint, and who carrys it in Ontario?

Edited December 8, 2019 by coldwood
edit

[dgman]

1 hour ago, coldwood said:

What is a good child safe stain and paint, and who carrys it in Ontario?

Any product in North America that is sold as a finish is child safe once it is cured. I say sold as a finish as some folks use products that are not sold as a finish like lemon oil and orange oil. Those are sold as cleaners and polishes.

[coldwood]

I think what I'm going to do is put a light water base stain on the front. Possible a whitewash on the back.

[dgman]

I think you are over thinking this. I don’t see it as an issue. The piece either goes this way or that way.

[coldwood]

If you were a 3 year old wouldn't that change things not knowing what side  is front or back.

[NC Scroller]

I would be more concerned about a 3 year old swallowing a piece vs what side is up.  Though not exact, if any piece will drop through a toilet paper tube it is too small for a child under 5.

[tomsteve]

13 hours ago, coldwood said:

I think what I'm going to do is put a light water base stain on the front. Possible a whitewash on the back.

what you could do is dip the pieces in stain, let them dry, then sand the stain off the back.

[coldwood]

Well I finished the train puzzle and put a water base stain on the front and a white wash stain on the back.

Also put on a few coats of water base finish.

[dgman]

Looks great!

[Denny Knappen]

Very well done.  The stain looks great.