Saturday, November 17, 2012

Whirligig Alligator




Christmas time is coming, so I'm back in the workshop.
Sorry that I've been away so long,
but life happens and blogging has to take second place.





This is my gift to my two granddaughters.
Their Mom fixed them both
 a great garden space for next spring
and hopefully my gift will 
keep the birds from eating their garden seed.

The alligator's body/legs, propeller blades and palm tree are 1/8" plywood. 
The jaws and tail are 3/4" pine




The propeller shaft is a 5/16" X 6" bolt.  
The shaft then runs through the red block.  
Inside the red block I have mounted 2 skateboard ball bearings
 that the shaft runs through.  
With the shaft mounted in bearings,
this baby spins like a top when out in a good breeze.

As the propeller spins the jaws will open and close rapidly.

What fun! 
Just don't stick your finger between those gator jaws!




The palm tree acts like the tail on a weather vane 
and keeps the propeller blades headed into the wind.





When building a homemade gift, be sure to always sign and date it.
You never know what memories this toy will
bring to those you love  . . . in the years to come.

  

*************************
This is the week of Thanksgiving,
my favorite holiday  :)
I'm counting my many blessings,
A good wife, (and no, Connie didn't make me say that) a darling daughter, 
two beautiful granddaughters, a great job, 
a warm and cozy home, 
and food on the table.
What more could a man want :)

Happy Thanksgiving,
Steve  
*************************


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25 comments:

  1. I just came over from Connie's blog, Steve. This is just adorable and will not only add some fun to their garden, but perform a function, too. You'll have to post how it works with the birds once they have it in place.

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    1. Hi Kathy, thank you for visiting my blog. I had such fun putting this whirligig together! I plan on doing more of them. I'm looking forward to exploring your blog.

      Happy Thanksgiving!

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  2. I believe things made by hand are the most blessed to receive...especially passing them down through the years to family members. You are that man...gifted to create something beautiful and meaningful! Your garden/yard art is adorable with a purpose....I am sure your granddaughters will be so happy to have something made by Grandpa! Very touching.....It's nice to read when a man is very happy with his life...that's the way GOD intended it to be! Roxie

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    1. Roxie, you are such a sweetie. Connie and I love hearing from you. I read all the comments she gets on her blog as she does mine. Creating things yourself is such a joy and your kind words are appreciated. You are wise and true, being very happy with your life surely is the way God intended it to be.

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  3. Your granddaughters will love it! My grandad made homemade gifts when we were little, my brother and I in our late 30's now still have some of the treasures he made ☺ Happy Thanksgiving to you and Connie!

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    1. Wow! very cool that you still have treasures from your grandad. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  4. such a wonderful gift, steve! your g-kids are very lucky to have you and connie in their lives:) have a great thanksgiving!

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    1. A wonderful Thanksgiving to you and your family as well. I love building whirligigs and will be posting as I build them so stop by. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.

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  5. Hi Steve: I came over from Connie's blog to see what you were up to. What granddaughter wouldn't love that! Well done, now I'm back to your wife. Got to give equal time..Happy Sunday..Judy

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  6. How cute is that!! I love it and I know the grands will too. (popping in from Connie's blog!)

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  7. What a fun thing this is. I wish I could see that alligator snapping away while the wind blows! I came over from Connie's blog . . . it's a pleasure to meet you. The two of you are such creative people and I've really enjoyed visiting Connie's blog which I only recently discovered. Wishing the two of you a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. We love to build things and I think there is something especially magical about making toys for kids. Even kids my age.
      Happy Thanksgiving.

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  8. Hi, hopped over from your sweet wife's blog. Your granddaughters are going to love these......they are so lucky to have a grandpa like you! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. You are right, she is a real sweetie, my best friend and the love of my life.'Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

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    2. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. You are right, she is a real sweetie, my best friend and the love of my life.'Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

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  9. Thank you Steve, for your comments to me. That was so nice of you and I really appreciate it. You do have a lot to be thankful for and I hope you enjoy a great Thanksgiving with Connie and family. In reading your bio you stated that you don't build pianos. My dad did build one and I think you would be interested in seeing it. My sister has a pic of it which, when I can get it, will send it on to you..Happy Monday..Judy

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  10. Those whirligigs will be cherised forever. And I agree, always sign your hand made work. That signature will be cherished forever too.

    Cindy Bee

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    1. Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by my blog. I have built a lot of different stuff but these whirligigs are such fun!

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  11. Hi Steve, I am Connie's blogging sister in La Pine ... what a cool idea; I love your version of a scarecrow! How fun for the girls to have their own garden too.

    Kathy M.

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  12. Hi Kathy, these whirligigs are fun for everyone. Even the truck drivers where I work though this one was cool. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

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  13. This is fantastic steve, your very talented. Something to be cherished forever by your grandkids, love it. Hope you and yours have a very merry christmas and a happy new year :)

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  14. That is such fun. I can just imagine that on the aft deck of the barge with the hula girls dancing in the breeze! Happy New Year and love to you and Connie xxx

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  15. Steve.......your whirligig alligator is just the cutest!!!

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