Description
This is a great Christmas time project from Forest Street Designs. Balancing toys were a favored possession over a century ago. The scientific principle illustrated by this simple toy is that an object can be balanced on a point if the object’s center of gravity is directly below the point of support. It seems magical to little ones. The devices date back to ancient China and India and have traditionally been made from tin or metal. We took on the challenge to make one in wood. And it worked. It is in one of our more popular woodworking plans. A YouTube video shows a similar project, our “Rowing Home” balance toy with our “Vintage European Toys” plans. In this plan, Kris Kringle and eight tiny reindeer fly over the village on a snowy yet full moon Christmas Eve. A snowman serves as the counterweight below as he looks skyward to welcome the jolly elf. Santa’s arm waves and lanterns and bells sway as the sleigh and deer rock to and fro. Because of the nature of the design, the rocking time is much longer than traditional rocking toys (sky hooks) and up to five minutes long. It’s a big hit with the younger set and perfect for holiday decorating on the mantel or table top. Plans outline many options including lighting behind the moon for a winter glow (shown in one image). A project for an intermediate woodworker. Our 11″ x 17″ plans take little workbench space. The copyrights allow making a photocopy of the full size patterns. Trim out the patterns, apply spray adhesive on the backs and place on stock prepared to the thickness noted on the pattern. You get accurate parts, woodworking plan and no tracing. We mail fast, usually within one business day.
