Wood choice for lincoln logs

I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
Likely have to make a jig for safety.

I read here in the group that you can tan poplar to get the green out of
the week which I'll likely try in order to get the wood all one color.
Not sure I'll put a finish on the logs or not.

> The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
> for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
> ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
> were also a lot softer too.
>
> I'd recomend poplar.
>

I was considering doing this exact thing. I'm wondering how exact I
would be taking into account the width of the blade, ect. For the
routing process, it would likely be safer, at least for the small
segments, to mill 5 or 6 as once piece and then cut the segments on the
mitre saw. Wouldn't hurt to try that way once.

Fred the Red Shirt wrote:
> Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
>>placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
>>the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
>>bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
>>small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
>>Likely have to make a jig for safety.
>>
>>
>
>
> I suggest you do all your milling on long pieces and then chop them
> into the short ones. Just allow for the width of the cross-cuts when
> you lay them out.
>

I like your jig idea for the notches. First I'm going to try out the
wonderfence attachment for the TSIII system I have on the TS. I'm
counting on the repeatability that the system markets. Take the easy way
out first and not make a jig. Plus the two end notches are the same
distance so that's a simple turning the board around and voila. Haven't
made up my mind of using a router but or stacked dado though.

Mike Reed wrote:
> Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
>>placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
>>the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
>>bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
>>small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
>>Likely have to make a jig for safety.
>
>
> I would recommend that you mill long stock before cutting to length,
> then you're routing a managable piece of wood.
>
> You can then make a jig to rout the notches (I figure if you're gonna
> jig a cut, make it the shorter cuts rather than the longer ones). You
> could make a jig for each length of log, so you cut the first notch on
> the end of your long stock, then that notch positions the log in the
> jig for the second notch.
>
> -Mike

I bet the set looked incredible, especially with the knife marks looking
like axe marks. Unfortunately, I have no artistic ability and have to
rely on blades and bits. I like your ideas regarding the shingles and
framing for the roof. Mind if I use it?

> Then I just took the whole thing home and sat
> arond and carved thee two edges into a reasonable copy of a log. The knife
> strokes looked just like axe marks and the logs looked very natural.
>
> I then took flat shingles to make the roof. I cut out many small shingles by
> hand and glued then to the other flat shingle. Then I assembled some framing
> for the roof. Made joints for them and put a small nail (and glue) in them
> to hold them together.
>
> That was almost 40 years ago. I would like to think that set of lincolin
> logs is still in use someplace today. I bet it would be worth some bucks
> too. Not many folks do that kind of work anymore.
>
> Lee Michaels.
>
>
>

I actually stole a few logs from the grandmother's to model the logs so
I have the dimensions. Your process sounds like what I plan on doing
except for starting with boards with width equal to the length of the
logs. The shortest logs I will try to make 4-5 and cut to length at the
end. For your dado, did you use a TS or router set up?

Lenny wrote:
> FWIW
> I used 3/4 pine. Start with wide boards of reasonable length and cut
> the dadoes first. Rip into 3/4 x 3/4 strips, then round over the edges
> while still in long strips. Finally cut to length. I used 3/4 pine.
> Careful layout of your dadoes is key. Can't remember exactly what the
> dimensions were, but I can check if you want....?
> HTH
> Lenny
>
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 12:31:48 -0400, Thomas Mitchell
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
>>placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
>>the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
>>bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
>>small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
>>Likely have to make a jig for safety.
>>
>>I read here in the group that you can tan poplar to get the green out of
>>the week which I'll likely try in order to get the wood all one color.
>>Not sure I'll put a finish on the logs or not.
>>
>>
>>>The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
>>>for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
>>>ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
>>>were also a lot softer too.
>>>
>>>I'd recomend poplar.
>>>
>>
>

I actually got one of the cars built over the weekend. Still having one
milling issue, but the process worked well enough to make about 15 pine
and 5 maple cars. Have been practicing on the pine before hitting the
maple.

The plans I have are cad files. Not sure if I can convert them to
another format with the freeware cad utility I have. If you have a
utility that will read cad files I'd be happy to send them to you.

The wheels that I have been using are wood. I bought a bunch of them
from Howee's, an online wholesale craft type supplier. I'm using a dowel
rod for the axle and it works, almost as well as the purchased trains,
but I'd like to find another solution. To me I should be able to spin
the wheel it watch it slowly coast to a stop, but that's not the way the
cars I build or the cars I buy work. :(

For magnets I bought them from Cherry Tree I think. They are the same
magnets as listed on http://www.bscandm.com/trains/track.htm with the
same nails as well. I found the magnets weak compared to the purchased
cars, but they work well enough.

If anyone knows of a source of plastic wheels suitable for train cars
that run on brio track, I'd love to know about them. I've looked off and
on since March and haven't found anything online.


>>I'd love to send your son a couple cars once I have a couple different
>>designs built if you don't mind.
>>
>
> Hey, Thanks!
>
> I had forgotten about the tape trick. Apparently as a toddler I had put
> clear tape on the earpiece of my grandmother's phone. She thought it was
> broken and called a repairman. He looked at it for a second, then asked,
> "Do you have grandchildren?" ;-)
>
> Thanks for the offer of cars. He (and I) would really appreciate them,
> but don't go to too much trouble. If you can send me plans on your
> design, that would be great! What are you using for wheels and magnets?
>
> Christian Groth
> [email protected]
>
>
>>>Especially in infant toys. Very few of them have a volume, but
>>>even then, the lowest is still too loud, IMHO.
>>>
>>>Fortunately, my son's favorite toy is his wooden train set (from Target,
>>>but I'm working out how to add more track to it), so I think he agrees
>>>with me.
>>
>>

Boy does that bring back a memory, I got a set in about 1968 for
Christmas from Santa Clause and I noticed that the red plastic gable
pieces were imprinted made in the USA (or something).

I had been pretty sure that the North Pole bit was fake, but that
confirmed it. I never told my parents, and I still get gifts from
Santa even though I just turned 40.

Thanks John Schreiber

"Jim Stuyck" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<meBRa.82493$N7.10858@sccrnsc03>...
> I got a set in the late 1940's. The logs were round. I don't think
> I've ever seen square Lincoln Logs. If I recall correctly, in addition
> to round logs, brown, of various lengths (and some with additional
> notches, not just on the ends) and green slats for roofs, there were
> red gable pieces so that your roof had a low pitch. Also had an
> erector set!
>
> Jim Stuyck

On 12/12/2015 8:31 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
>> These ones are pine ...
>>
>
> "These ones"?... Do people with a high school education really say that?


Sure, Mike, they do. Don't you understand that this is "just" email or
posting on some listserve and the normal rules of grammar, etc. simply
do not apply.

Never mind that we only get one chance at making a first impression and
that it's likely the ONLY impression any of us will have of some of
these folks is what we read here. No big deal. If somebody wishes to
be viewed as the village idiot's retarded cousin, that's their business. <g>

On Sat, 12 Dec 2015 10:07:39 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 12/12/2015 1:44 AM, DA wrote:
>> replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
>>> thomasMitchell wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
>>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
>>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>>
>>
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
>> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
>>
>
>What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
>wood used.
Production of Lincoln Logs was returned to the USA from China in
2014, so new ones will be made of american woods. Those made in China
could be made of anything, as China imports all kinds of woods from
all over the world - legally or illegally cut and harvested .

I can't stress enough how important it is to use the largest pieces
(lengths) possible until the final step of cutting individual pieces
to length.
I used a radial saw with a dado blade. Then ripped them on the TS. I
think I used about six foot lengths and layed out several different
lengths.
I've posted the text and drawings I used from an old issue of Hands On
magazine here...
http://members2.clubphoto.com/lenny191637/807632/guest.phtml
It explains it better then I can. =0 )
Lenny

On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 23:02:15 -0400, Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I actually stole a few logs from the grandmother's to model the logs so
>I have the dimensions. Your process sounds like what I plan on doing
>except for starting with boards with width equal to the length of the
>logs. The shortest logs I will try to make 4-5 and cut to length at the
>end. For your dado, did you use a TS or router set up?
>
>Lenny wrote:
>> FWIW
>> I used 3/4 pine. Start with wide boards of reasonable length and cut
>> the dadoes first. Rip into 3/4 x 3/4 strips, then round over the edges
>> while still in long strips. Finally cut to length. I used 3/4 pine.
>> Careful layout of your dadoes is key. Can't remember exactly what the
>> dimensions were, but I can check if you want....?
>> HTH
>> Lenny

Wed, Jul 16, 2003, 9:30am [email protected]
(Thomas=A0Mitchell)
I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
logs use.<snip>

I posted this awhile back.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=3DJOAT+LINCOLN+LOGS+group:rec.woodworkin=
g&hl=3Den&lr=3D&ie=3DUTF-8&selm=3D25252-3AF5AE02-128%40storefull-285.iap.b=
ryant.webtv.net&rnum=3D1
The link there is bad, this is a good one.
http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/lincoln_logs.shtml

I've seen where someone says they were redwood. The ones I had
were not redwood, definitely not redwood. Possibly no known wood today.
They looked like they were hewn by hand, by a tiny little man, about 6
inches tall, with a dull adze. But, what the Hell, wouldn't have been
any more fun if they were pink ivory. I did have green roof things, and
I am pretty sure I recall they were long wooden slats, you laid
sideways, sorta lapstrake style. The roof ends had notches to hold them
in place. And red, wooden, chimneys. I had something with that anyway.
About certain no plastic. And not even anywhere close to enough of
them. I figure 5 or 6 55 gallon drums full might have been barely
adequate.

Make them out of any wood you want.

By the way, there is a site out there somewhere (I'm pretty sure I
posted it it), with dimensions, illustrations, etc., for making this
type of thing.

JOAT
Let's just take it for granted you don't know what the Hell you're
talking about.

Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 16 Jul 2003. Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/JOATorJackOfAll/page4.html

>replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
>> thomasMitchell wrote:
>>
>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search turned
>> up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of the time
>> in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>
>
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
>the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used


These ones are pine ...

http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?p=68035&cat=4,53201

John T.

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
> thomasMitchell wrote:
>
> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search turned
> up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of the time
> in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used

--

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> We used scotch tape over the speaker area to mute the sound for our
> son's hearing and our sanity. I agree with you about the toys.
>
> Our son's favorite toy is also his wooden train set. I started building
> wooden train cars for him or working on building them a few months ago.
> The design is pretty basic, but I have several different cars based on
> the same blank which I haven't found time to build yet. I looked into
> making the track and other than straight track and maybe some buffers, I
> doubt that I'll make much of it. The curves look too in depth and I'd
> rather pay for them and use my time making engines and cars.
>
> Here's a site I found which I thought showed the process really well.
>
> http://www.bscandm.com/trains/track.htm
>
> I'd love to send your son a couple cars once I have a couple different
> designs built if you don't mind.
>
Hey, Thanks!

I had forgotten about the tape trick. Apparently as a toddler I had put
clear tape on the earpiece of my grandmother's phone. She thought it was
broken and called a repairman. He looked at it for a second, then asked,
"Do you have grandchildren?" ;-)

Thanks for the offer of cars. He (and I) would really appreciate them,
but don't go to too much trouble. If you can send me plans on your
design, that would be great! What are you using for wheels and magnets?

Christian Groth
[email protected]

> >Especially in infant toys. Very few of them have a volume, but
> > even then, the lowest is still too loud, IMHO.
> >
> > Fortunately, my son's favorite toy is his wooden train set (from Target,
> > but I'm working out how to add more track to it), so I think he agrees
> > with me.
>
>

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
>
> On 12/12/2015 1:44 AM, DA wrote:
> > replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
> >> thomasMitchell wrote:
> >>
> >> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> >> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
> >> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
> >> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
> >> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
> >> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
> >
> >
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
> > the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
> >
>
> What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
> wood used.

That's like saying "what kind of trees grow in the US". China's a big
place with a wide variety of trees.

However the manufacturer moved production back to the US recently, so
they may be back to redwood. Although the Chinese ones could well be
redwood--Chinese redwood is a fast-growing big tree--haven't heard of it
being used commercially but one never knows.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> >>>
> >>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> >>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
> >>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
> >>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
> >>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
> >>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>
>
> >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
> >> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
> >>
>
>
> >What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
> >wood used.
>
>
>
> " Still made in the USA by a small family firm that first produced
> this kit in the 1930s. "
> http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?p=68035&cat=4,53201
> John T.
>
> --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

Those aren't Lincoln Logs though, they are a competing product.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> On 12/12/2015 8:31 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
> > [email protected] wrote:
> >
> >> These ones are pine ...
> >>
> >
> > "These ones"?... Do people with a high school education really say that?
>
>
> Sure, Mike, they do. Don't you understand that this is "just" email or
> posting on some listserve and the normal rules of grammar, etc. simply
> do not apply.
>
> Never mind that we only get one chance at making a first impression and
> that it's likely the ONLY impression any of us will have of some of
> these folks is what we read here. No big deal. If somebody wishes to
> be viewed as the village idiot's retarded cousin, that's their business. <g>

And by complaining about an irrelevancy such as "these ones are" (which
is by the way a quote from a fairly well respected novel) Mike blows his
chance at a good first impression.

"William E. Prisavage" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You also need two 1/2 strips for the starter pieces.

Right! Forgot those.

> Don't forget the red chimney,and yes they were round in my day.

Right, again!

Someone mentioned "plastic." No "plastic" in that late 1940's set
of mine, that's for sure. ;-)

Jim Stuyck

> "Jim Stuyck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:meBRa.82493$N7.10858@sccrnsc03...
> >
> > "Fred the Red Shirt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
> > > for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
> > > ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
> > > were also a lot softer too.
> >
> > I got a set in the late 1940's. The logs were round. I don't think
> > I've ever seen square Lincoln Logs. If I recall correctly, in addition
> > to round logs, brown, of various lengths (and some with additional
> > notches, not just on the ends) and green slats for roofs, there were
> > red gable pieces so that your roof had a low pitch. Also had an
> > erector set!
> >
> > Jim Stuyck
> >
> > Jim Stuyck
> >
> >
>
>

On 12/12/2015 1:44 AM, DA wrote:
> replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
>> thomasMitchell wrote:
>>
>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
>

What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
wood used.

Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
> placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
> the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
> bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
> small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
> Likely have to make a jig for safety.

I would recommend that you mill long stock before cutting to length,
then you're routing a managable piece of wood.

You can then make a jig to rout the notches (I figure if you're gonna
jig a cut, make it the shorter cuts rather than the longer ones). You
could make a jig for each length of log, so you cut the first notch on
the end of your long stock, then that notch positions the log in the
jig for the second notch.

-Mike

You also need two 1/2 strips for the starter pieces.
Don't forget the red chimney,and yes they were round in my day.
"Jim Stuyck" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:meBRa.82493$N7.10858@sccrnsc03...
>
> "Fred the Red Shirt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
> > for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
> > ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
> > were also a lot softer too.
>
> I got a set in the late 1940's. The logs were round. I don't think
> I've ever seen square Lincoln Logs. If I recall correctly, in addition
> to round logs, brown, of various lengths (and some with additional
> notches, not just on the ends) and green slats for roofs, there were
> red gable pieces so that your roof had a low pitch. Also had an
> erector set!
>
> Jim Stuyck
>
> Jim Stuyck
>
>

>>>
>>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
>>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
>>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.


>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
>> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
>>


>What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
>wood used.



" Still made in the USA by a small family firm that first produced
this kit in the 1930s. "
http://www.leevalley.com/en/gifts/page.aspx?p=68035&cat=4,53201
John T.

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: [email protected] ---

"Thomas Mitchell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search turned
> up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of the time
> in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>
> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.

The originals were redwood, according to this site:
http://www.drtoy.org/drtoy/knex_2001c.htm
-- Ernie

"Thomas Mitchell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I bet the set looked incredible, especially with the knife marks looking
> like axe marks. Unfortunately, I have no artistic ability and have to
> rely on blades and bits. I like your ideas regarding the shingles and
> framing for the roof. Mind if I use it?
>

No problem, go for it. It's not like I own a patent on it or anything. I was
young and poor. But raised on a farm in the woods with lots of natural
materials and some tools. So we made stuff. Wasn't considered all that
unusual at the time.

All I had was a short, thick camping sheath knife with a short blade. It was
three inches at the most. Which was considered a very small knife at that
time. It doesn't take any artistic ability. The artistry is in the courage,
design and putting the prices together. I did this specifically because I
had no artistic ability. Clever use of materials got me good grades when I
couldn't draw a picture to save my life.

Just get your self a comfortable knife. Try it with a pocket knife at first
if you don't want to buy anything bigger. Take that wood out and start
carving. Think of a spoke shave. You could do all this with a ssplke shave
or a draw knife. Except that the lincolin logs may be a little small. Just
subsitute the knife for the spokeshave or drawknife. Or use some other
tools.

The only thing you are doing is removing some wood from the edge of the
square wood. You could even use a plane. Just round the edge over. That is
all there is too it. The thing about knife cuts though is that you leave
little knicks in the wood that greatly add to the authentic look. These
knicks stain darker than the surrounding wood. It just looks like a genuine
log.

As far as the shingles go, I imagine that there are probably quick ways to
do this. I know that the folks who build those fancy doll houses use little
shakes for their roofs.
If I were to do it again, I would probably use something like veneer or very
thin stock. And I would cut them out with a knife. Probably an exacto knife.

Feel free to experiment. The way I always felt was that you are making
something that is genuine and crafted from materials of the earth. Any
solution that preserves this authenticity is valid and good. Remember, in a
plastic world, fewer and fewer children get to espereince genuine
craftmanship. Actually play with something created with genuine sweat,
materials and craftsmanship.

These time honored skills and products don't belong to anybody. Just use
them to create and give joy to those who will appreciate it.

Now get a knife and start carvin'. We wanna see pictures when you get it
done!

Lee Michaels


*******************************************

> > Then I just took the whole thing home and sat
> > arond and carved thee two edges into a reasonable copy of a log. The
knife
> > strokes looked just like axe marks and the logs looked very natural.
> >
> > I then took flat shingles to make the roof. I cut out many small
shingles by
> > hand and glued then to the other flat shingle. Then I assembled some
framing
> > for the roof. Made joints for them and put a small nail (and glue) in
them
> > to hold them together.
> >
> > That was almost 40 years ago. I would like to think that set of lincolin
> > logs is still in use someplace today. I bet it would be worth some
bucks
> > too. Not many folks do that kind of work anymore.
> >
> > Lee Michaels.
> >
> >
> >
>

Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
> placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
> the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
> bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
> small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
> Likely have to make a jig for safety.
>
>

I suggest you do all your milling on long pieces and then chop them
into the short ones. Just allow for the width of the cross-cuts when
you lay them out.

--

FF

Thomas Mitchell <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I bet the set looked incredible, especially with the knife marks looking
> like axe marks. Unfortunately, I have no artistic ability and have to
> rely on blades and bits. I like your ideas regarding the shingles and
> framing for the roof. Mind if I use it?


The square lincoln logs I had as a kid also had scalloped pieces on the
side that made them look like hand-hewn timbers. I suppose they had
a special cutter head for doing that. Or maybe I inherited Lee's set...

--

FF

>
> > Then I just took the whole thing home and sat
> > arond and carved thee two edges into a reasonable copy of a log. The knife
> > strokes looked just like axe marks and the logs looked very natural.
> >
> > I then took flat shingles to make the roof. I cut out many small shingles by
> > hand and glued then to the other flat shingle. Then I assembled some framing
> > for the roof. Made joints for them and put a small nail (and glue) in them
> > to hold them together.
> >
> > That was almost 40 years ago. I would like to think that set of lincolin
> > logs is still in use someplace today. I bet it would be worth some bucks
> > too. Not many folks do that kind of work anymore.
> >
> > Lee Michaels.
> >
> >
> >

Thomas Mitchell said

> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> logs use.
>
> In any case I'll most likely use
> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>


I don't know what the manufacturer uses, but in making my own, I'd use
Western Red Cedar.

It's stable, non-splintery, and easily machined.

Poplar should work fine, too.

I've posted some dimensions and photos of Lincoln Logs copied from an
old issue of "Hands On" which was published by Shopsmith.
See them here...
http://members2.clubphoto.com/lenny191637/807632/owner-38f6.phtml
Let me know if you have trouble reading the measurements.

Lenny

"Fred the Red Shirt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
> for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
> ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
> were also a lot softer too.

I got a set in the late 1940's. The logs were round. I don't think
I've ever seen square Lincoln Logs. If I recall correctly, in addition
to round logs, brown, of various lengths (and some with additional
notches, not just on the ends) and green slats for roofs, there were
red gable pieces so that your roof had a low pitch. Also had an
erector set!

Jim Stuyck

Jim Stuyck

On 12/12/15 11:35 AM, [email protected] wrote:
> On Sat, 12 Dec 2015 10:07:39 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On 12/12/2015 1:44 AM, DA wrote:
>>> replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
>>>> thomasMitchell wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>>>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
>>>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
>>>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>>>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>>>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>>>
>>>
>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
>>> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
>>>
>>
>> What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
>> wood used.
> Production of Lincoln Logs was returned to the USA from China in
> 2014, so new ones will be made of american woods. Those made in China
> could be made of anything, as China imports all kinds of woods from
> all over the world - legally or illegally cut and harvested .
>

It's amazing how much wood is actually shipped from North America to
China for manufacturing goods that come back here. Still cheaper to do
that and build stuff using their cheap labor and manufacturing.

I was watching a documentary on the emerging "capitalization" of some
areas of China and the middle class that emerging as a result. One
status symbol of these "newly rich" Chinese is to have furniture that is
made in the USA, because even they know how low the quality is of the
goods made by their own people in their own country.

The documentary went on to show the hilarious irony of how the raw wood
for their "made in the USA" furniture was shipped from the USA and
Canada to China where all the components, pieces, and parts to make the
furniture were actually manufactured, then all shipped back to the US
where the parts were then "assembled" and glued together into the final
product, then shipped back to China where this new middle class buys it
so they can brag about the high quality of their expensive furniture
that is "made in the USA." :-)


--

-MIKE-

"Playing is not something I do at night, it's my function in life"
--Elvin Jones (1927-2004)
--
http://mikedrums.com
[email protected]
---remove "DOT" ^^^^ to reply

[email protected] wrote:

> These ones are pine ...
>

"These ones"?... Do people with a high school education really say that?


--

-Mike-
[email protected]

J. Clarke wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
>>
>> On 12/12/2015 8:31 PM, Mike Marlow wrote:
>>> [email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>>> These ones are pine ...
>>>>
>>>
>>> "These ones"?... Do people with a high school education really say
>>> that?
>>
>>
>> Sure, Mike, they do. Don't you understand that this is "just" email
>> or posting on some listserve and the normal rules of grammar, etc.
>> simply
>> do not apply.
>>
>> Never mind that we only get one chance at making a first impression
>> and that it's likely the ONLY impression any of us will have of some
>> of
>> these folks is what we read here. No big deal. If somebody wishes
>> to
>> be viewed as the village idiot's retarded cousin, that's their
>> business. <g>
>
> And by complaining about an irrelevancy such as "these ones are"
> (which is by the way a quote from a fairly well respected novel) Mike
> blows his chance at a good first impression.

Oh well...

--

-Mike-
[email protected]

"Thomas Mitchell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search turned
> up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of the time
> in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>
> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>

My early 60's vintage Lincoln Logs were square in cross-section and are
redwood. I made 100s of additional logs for my kids using the old ones as a
model. I simply grabbed up eastern white pine that was laying around the
shop and cut away.

The kids have done a lot of damage to both the old and new ones... I'm still
a bit annoyed that MINE survived 40 years only to be pretty well destroyed
by my kids in a matter of months!

John

On Sat, 12 Dec 2015 10:07:39 -0500, Ed Pawlowski <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 12/12/2015 1:44 AM, DA wrote:
>> replying to Thomas Mitchell, DA wrote:
>>> thomasMitchell wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln
>>> logs use. I can't tell by the grain of the wood. A google search
>>> turned up nothing and the friend at work which has succeeded 100% of
>>> the time in determining a type of wood wasn't able to match it.
>>> He suggested aspen or maybe a birch. In any case I'll most likely use
>>> poplar since I have a lot of it on hand and want to clear it out.
>>
>>
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Logs gives you a short history of
>> the lincoln log as well as what type of wood was originally used
>>
>
>What kind of trees grow in China? That would be most likely the present
>wood used.

There are a lot of empty containers (ships) going from NA to China.

FWIW
I used 3/4 pine. Start with wide boards of reasonable length and cut
the dadoes first. Rip into 3/4 x 3/4 strips, then round over the edges
while still in long strips. Finally cut to length. I used 3/4 pine.
Careful layout of your dadoes is key. Can't remember exactly what the
dimensions were, but I can check if you want....?
HTH
Lenny

On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 12:31:48 -0400, Thomas Mitchell
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I've seen a few pics on the web that show the logs being square. I just
>placed an order for a router bit which will round the two sides but leave
>the top and bottom untouched. It's the bit Rockler offers. I'll try the
>bit to add some detail to the logs, but am wondering how I'll route the
>small logs. Seems as though the diameter on the bit will be over 1".
>Likely have to make a jig for safety.
>
>I read here in the group that you can tan poplar to get the green out of
>the week which I'll likely try in order to get the wood all one color.
>Not sure I'll put a finish on the logs or not.
>
>> The set of Lincoln Logs I had as a kid, which were probably bought
>> for my brother, were square in cross-section, not round. The later
>> ones were round and didn't stack nearly as well. The later ones
>> were also a lot softer too.
>>
>> I'd recomend poplar.
>>