One of my favorite rolling toys to make. Simple, but a nice visual statement

[rafairchild2]

This tractor is one of my favorite toys to make in my production line. The "Barnyard Buddy Tractor". It is simple to cut out.  Yes, a little tricky to Forstner the "Little People" hole, but between that, the different size/style wheels and the smoke stack.  You get a cute toy.

I have started to glue the little person in so it is not removable.  First, for child safety (choke hazard), and also loss prevention.  I go back and forth, but I am concerned about complying with the CPSC regs.

This is cut from 3/4 walnut.  Now, to speed the production process up, I use beeswax/coconut oil, aka cutting board wax to finish the body, (food/child safe) this way it is ready to assemble/glue in minutes.

The dark walnut color just pops right out, against the blond color of the wheels, smoke stack, and little person.

Edited September 15, 2024 by rafairchild2

[daveww1]

great job

[rafairchild2]

Next redesign, I am going to add a tractor hitch to the back and add some kind of pull-behind wagon.  I might try and make a couple of variants of that too.  Eventually, I might build a whole farm set around it.

Edited September 15, 2024 by rafairchild2

[Scrappile]

Very cute.  Would it be easier to drill the hole for the "litte person" before you cut the shape of the tractor?

[jerry walters]

I grew up on the farm.  Love tractors.  My dad had 3 of therm, two John Deeres and one Ford.  I learned to drive the Ford when I was about 5 sitting on my day's lap and he let me guide it.  At about 6 1/2 I could drive it by myself.  At 7 I was working out in the field.  Wouldn't go over so good today.

Jerry

[Gonzo]

Very cool!

[rafairchild2]

On 9/15/2024 at 3:13 PM, jerry walters said:

I grew up on the farm.  Love tractors.  My dad had 3 of therm, two John Deeres and one Ford.  I learned to drive the Ford when I was about 5 sitting on my day's lap and he let me guide it.  At about 6 1/2 I could drive it by myself.  At 7 I was working out in the field.  Wouldn't go over so good today.

Jerry

I grew up working one large horse ranch in our town in exchange for horse back riding lessons and riding any time I wanted.  My sister did the same thing.  Alas, the property got so valuable, it was eventually sold off to a Mosque and also housing developments where the homes are over $1 mil now.We also boarded horses at a local farm near our home.  I would work during hay season, taking hay bails putting them on the tractor wagon, then getting them in the hay loft.  Hard work!

[Scrappile]

Just a note, I went and visited you workshop and Youtube channel.  Interesting things.  I will be spending more time on your Youtube.  Lots of information.

[rjweb]

You have done an excellent job, RJ

[jerry walters]

 

12 hours ago, rafairchild2 said:

I grew up working one large horse ranch in our town in exchange for horse back riding lessons and riding any time I wanted.  My sister did the same thing.  Alas, the property got so valuable, it was eventually sold off to a Mosque and also housing developments where the homes are over $1 mil now.We also boarded horses at a local farm near our home.  I would work during hay season, taking hay bails putting them on the tractor wagon, then getting them in the hay loft.  Hard work!

I went to a small school, most of us kids were farm kids, and most of us could play sports because there was barely enough to make a team.  Our shcool did'nt have a weight room.  For most of us lifting the bales, 100 pound sack of potatoes or for the kids living on a dairy farm they got to lift those 10 gallon cans full of milk.  We got quite a workout, especially in the summer.

[Ber Gueda]

I love the wheels. Do you make them too or you buy them separately?