Toy Distribution Preparations

This past week we have been preparing for the big event on Saturday - the day we distribute all the toys we have been building since January 2009. Because the temperature dropped into the teens on Wednesday, we relocated the spraying efforts from the backyard "green house" to Wilkinson Custom Cabinets in Black Hawk spray booth to finish the last items. We then set up the RCWA Shop with a line of toys to be ready to easily pack up the Christmas boxes with the appropriate toys for the appropriate receivers. Thursday afternoon we contacted each organization to set up a delivery time on Monday Dec 7, 2009.

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Toymaking Workshop - Nov 28, 2009

In preparation for this weekend's toy workshop, all animal cutouts were checked over for the last time, any squawks found were corrected, they were sanded for the last time, eyes painted on turtles and rocking horses, and all animals sorted and counted. On Saturday morning, Nov. 28th, 2009, the animals were packed into cotton bags, four to a bag in preparation for toy distribution on Dec 5th. At the end of the morning, over 100 bags were completed and ready for kids.

Today's workshop was the last workshop for 2009 - the end of the year-long toy making efforts by the toymakers of the Rapid City Woodworkers Association. The goal for today was to complete the basketball games for the toy distribution to happen next Saturday, Dec 5th, 2009. Our local WENDY's generously donated a case of spoons to be used as basketball launchers, and all the parts were completed before this workshop. We started the day with a team of two working to assemble the hoops to the backboards, another team assembling the launcher pads to the bases, and a third team working with the final assembly jigs. The setup included two nail guns, one for the 5/8 inch nails for the backboard to post, and one for the 1 " nails for the base to post. As parts rolled off the end of the line, a new team was formed to install the string/ball assembly to the completed game assembly. At the end of the afternoon, we had completed 96 basketball games. With only a few minor technical problems, the event was a major success!

Weather permitting next week, we will put a finish coat of laquer on the basketball games, in time for toy distribution on Saturday morning, Dec 5th, 2009.

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Toy Workshop Nov 21, 2009

The toymakers in the Rapid City Woodworkers Association Toy Program held another Toy Workshop this morning Saturday Nov 21, 2009 at the RCWA Shop at 910 Wood Ave in the basement of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD.

Today we were preparing the parts for the Basketball Games. The basic parts of the game have been prepared over the past few weeks. Today we drilled holes in the backboards and hoops to attach the hoops to the backboards. String holes were drilled in the base to attach the string assemblies prepared last Tuesday evening. Launcher holes were drilled in the base to attach the launchers which were prepared over the last two weeks.

Bases stack up with string holes, launcher holes and post holes. Grant drilled holes in the bases.

Hoops were pre-drilled to prepare for assembling the hoops to the backboards.

Launchers with slots for Wendy's spoons were pre-drilled to prepare for assembling launcher to bases.

Lon pre-drilled post holes in the backboards a few weeks ago.

Kathie and Willis sanded the launchers to be ready to attach to the bases next week.

Rick drilled string holes in the bases for gluing the string assemblies with the 1 inch wooden balls.

Harley set up a jig and drilled the holes in the backboard and hoops.

Jigs were built in 2008 to repeat the operations of drilling holes for attaching the hoops to the backboard (LEFT PHOTO), and for attaching the launcher to the base (RIGHT PHOTO).

Grant turned bowls (small) and Bob attached them to Shaker Pegs to make a cup and ball game.

We have now finished enough parts to complete 120 basketball games. Next week we will begin assembling the basketball games, using a FINAL ASSEMBLY Jig, some Titebond glue, and a pneumatic nailer. Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

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