Day: September 14, 2020

Categories
art Toy

Crane Ship

Thailf

Some of the world’s largest ships are those which lift other ships, rigs and cargo, the largest of these is the Thailf, a Norwegian monster used to build and dismantle oil rigs.   Working on the rather smaller scale of 20 or so centimeters I have made a model kit Crane Ship which will soon be sale at Miller Toys and Models.  My kits should be challenging for a six or seven year old – they might need a little help – have great play value and provide a sense of achievement when complete.  Using 3mm laser grade birch ply means that the models can be robust enough to stand up to repeated play.

Crane ship, approx 22cm, 42 parts

The simple mechanisms help demonstrate how mechanical systems work and provide pleasurable toys. The kit is supplied with a grab bucket (not shown) as well as a hook. All my kits may be painted with acrylic paints, not supplied but widely available.

Categories
Toy

Dredger

I’m still looking for varities of ships and boats to make into model kits. The dredger seemed interesting so I started with a basic hull, a shape I’ve now used many times and then added the dredger structure. The rotation was simply and the winch I’ve used before seemed to work but getting the bucket and the bucket arm to stay in place proved more difficult. 

Dredger, approx 20cm

Above all I want the kit to be easy to assemble for a six year old and so any mechanism has to be as simple as possible. The kit also needs to fit onto four A5 sheets of 3mm plywood.  Play value is also essential, my young testers check out this  and other aspects of the design, especially it’s durability!

After some false starts I have used a living hinge and a cog arrangement on the bucket arm to rotate the bucket.  The arm itself is also rotated with a similar cog winch but is held by a gravity pawl, giving just enough resistance.

This model will soon be available from Miller Toys and Models for just £18, 42 parts of press-out 3mm plywood, pva glue and string included.