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22nd June 2014, 03:54 PM #1New Member
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Location
- Australia
- Posts
- 9
Safe Timbers & Finishes for Children 3 - 6
Hi All,
I've been a bit of a hobbyist for a while making some laser-cut toys out of 3mm - 6mm MDF and have recently had some businesses contact me wanting me to start mass-producing them.
I know that MDF is safe if there is no dust (laser-cutting doesn't create any) and if there's a finish on it. The problem is I would still prefer not to use MDF (personal preference) and move to something else but can't find anything that will give me a good result while being safe for kids. I have tried 1,000,000,000 different ply's and they all seem to give different results due to the glues. I have some pretty fine cutting in there so it needs to be really strong while being non-toxic.
Does anyone out there mass produce toys that comply with the Australian Safety Standards?
Does anyone use a ply that they trust and is available in Sydney?
If I HAVE to use MDF doesn't anyone have any finishes that they recommend for low-cost mass produced wooden toys. I have had some people suggest polyurethane? Anything I can seem to find will end up costing me more than the wood it's meant to go on.
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23rd June 2014, 02:14 AM #2
probably normal.
Finishing a piece is often as time consuming as building it.
Shellac is kid safe -- it's often how the shine is put on sweets.
most finishes are also kid safe ONCE THEY HAVE FULLY CURED -- for emphasis, not shouting
I assume that you are concerned with kids chewing on the toys?regards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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23rd June 2014, 09:42 AM #3
Pine is safe. There are articals somewhere about its natural anti bacterial properties. There are onlyu a few woods that would be toxic when ingested. Yew for example might be a no no.
anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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23rd June 2014, 09:44 AM #4
Doesn't mdf have similar glue probs as ply? How about making your own ply? use epoxy rather that resersinol which might have melamine as a filler. Hide glue? That would be edible? perhaps not vegetarian........ or halal.
anne-maria.
Tea Lady
(White with none)
Follow my little workshop/gallery on facebook. things of clay and wood.
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23rd June 2014, 09:49 AM #5Awaiting Email Confirmation
- Join Date
- Feb 2008
- Location
- Peakhurst
- Age
- 67
- Posts
- 768
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25th June 2014, 07:10 AM #6
Not familiar with all the varieties available in Australia but here in the states Clear Pine (no knots) is widely used for children's toys and either clear or amber shellac for a finish. Both are safe for kids to chew on. Anytime I'm making something for one of the young Grand kids, those are the materials I use. Another plus to their use is stuff I've made 10 or more years ago is still being played with and handed down from one youngster to the next between cousins. Pine and shellac are both cheap over here.
MDF would not be on my list of materials mainly because when the edges get wet it begins to crumble. Not a good thing for kids who spill things everywhere.He who blesses his neighbor in a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing!
Videos I have made. Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here!
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1st July 2014, 08:06 AM #7Intermediate Member
- Join Date
- Dec 2009
- Location
- Nth Richmond
- Posts
- 5
Wood for kids toys and finishes for same
Hi Budgi, have you investigated Jelutong (don't know if it has another "common" name) as a timber. It is very consistent in grain, no knots, not that expensive and can be cut easily with bandsaw into laminar thicknesses.
the finish I use for kids toys is either vegetable oil (canola, olive etc from plants) or Orange oil, but doesn't give a gloss and greasy until fully absorbed, but usually only a day or so.
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1st July 2014, 09:08 AM #8
I've made a lot of blocks for my boys out of radiata
no finish as it doesn't really need it
they are going strong after 15 yearsregards
Nick
veni, vidi, tornavi
Without wood it's just ...
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