Wooden Blacksmith Toy Plans

Plans for the clothespin blacksmiths toy. Click to enlarge.

       The common clothespin would not impress most people as being a material from which toys can be made, but very attractive jumping jacks, tops, dolls, etc., can be easily made from the household supply of clothespins. The toy shown here should be very interesting to anyone, and it is not hard to make.

Supply List: 

• Clothespins
• common pins
• iron wire
• pieces of cloth
• acrylic paints
  
• thin wood

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select four good clothespins, that is, of good shape. With a saw or a knife, cut off two of the pins 1 in. from the head end. These are to be used for the hammers, while the remaining part of one of the pins will be used for the anvil.
2. Next, make the thin strip of wood for the handles to operate the toy.
3. Use two pieces of black iron wire for the hammer handles.
4. Next, bore the holes in the various pieces for the hammer handles and for holding the parts together as shown in the drawing. The best tool for this work is the bradawl.
5. Assemble the pieces with common pins. Insert the pins in the proper places, cut off with a pair of pliers so that just enough is left protruding to permit of bending over on the end to hold the pin securely in place, but allow enough for free play of parts when the toy is in use. Clothes may be made for the toy, if desired, or the pins may be painted. One or the other should be done in order to make the toy more attractive.
6. Now you can grasp one of the thin handles in each hand. By alternately pushing and pulling, the blacksmiths are made to strike with the hammers on the anvil.