Skunk Pull Toy

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I built this as a gift for a grandchild in the spring of 2023. The plans come from the book "Animated Animal Toys in Wood" by David Wakefield.

The black wood is wenge and the white is hard maple. The build follows the plans in the book with one exception. I decided I wanted the white stripe to show only on the back. To be honest I didn’t know for sure at the time if skunks have stripes on their bellies or not. (I just checked, they don’t)
 
Normally the center plank is made of two pieces – a lighter piece for the stripe and a darker piece for the head. I used three pieces to keep the belly dark. The clamps held the pieces flat while the bungee acted as a band clamp.


There is an offset wheel on the rear axle that acts as a cam to make the tail move. The last two pictures show the range of motion. I didn’t take many pictures of the build. Here’s one of the parts being finished.


This was a fun project that didn’t take too long. The wenge works perfectly to make the skunk black.

33 Comments

Great old school toy!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Nice work on that little toy Steve
Nice toy Steve!
Pepe LePew is under rated, he just wants lovin's 🦨 💕
Thanks for the comments! I was really pleased with how this one turned out. The strong contrast in color really made it look good. And it's new owner is really happy with it!
That's great Steve! I've made lots of toys for my grandkids. It's more work than one might think but something they cherish. 
Thanks Rick, sometimes I can get them done in a few hours and other ones are really surprising in terms of the number of the hours before it's done.
Fun toy...hopeful "perfume free" 🦨
Grandkid will keep this forever.    Remembered the old song.   "There's a dead skunk in the middle of the road and it's  stinkin to high heaven".    







Ron

I wish I made that!!  Awesome

Hey, you don't know me, but you don't like me ... Buck Owens

Thanks for the comments! I promise I didn't install an odor emitter!
A little water mister would be a fun addition 😆

Cheap and woodwortking in the same sentenc is an oxymoron!

Man, that stinks! I don't have any grandkids to make one for. Cute little rascal!

Steven- Random Orbital Nailer

Fun comments all! Hmm, a water mister...
For some reason, now I want a skunktail block plane
kinda stinky steve but pretty cool 😂

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Thanks!
Devin - I bet that would be an awesome plane!
Awesome playable toy, but why a skunk?

Life’s Good, Enjoy Each New Day’s Blessings

Nice work on the pull toy, Steve!!

Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day