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:
Thomas Mitchell said
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 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.
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 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 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
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
Right! Forgot those.
Right, again!
Someone mentioned "plastic." No "plastic" in that late 1940's set of mine, that's for sure. ;-)
Jim Stuyck
Wed, Jul 16, 2003, 9:30am snipped-for-privacy@askmeforit.com (Thomas=A0Mitchell) I'm trying to find out what type of wood the manufacturers of lincoln logs use.
I posted this awhile back.
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.
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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
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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
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...
JOAT notes:
Here's a start, at least....
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