I made this very special project for my Granddaughter's birthday. They were visiting from Denver last week so the whole family was able to celebrate her birthday together. The animals are each 3/8" thick and are cut from a variety of woods, including Lacewood, Bloodwood, Purpleheart, Yellowheart, Birdseye Maple, and Wenge. The platform is made from 10 identical 36o wedges, 5 of Cherry and 5 of Curly Maple. The post is also made from Curly Maple, with a little finial of Gaboon Ebony.
Note: No Lathe was used in the making of any part of this heirloom toy. I used a simple circle cutting jig for the platform, while I shaped the post with spokeshaves and finalized it's shape with sandpaper while it was chucked in my drill press. I made the finial by polygoning it on the bandsaw and then smoothing it with sanding mops.
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