DIY Network

Alphabet Toy This charming toy makes a perfect baby gift. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-205

Tiny tots love—and learn from—these spinning letters.

If you want to hand-craft a baby shower gift—but don't want to knit yet another pair of booties and baby hat—this woodworking project is perfect. The B. Original host shows how to make a vintage-inspired spinning alphabet toy, sometimes called an alphabet swing, that will keep tiny tots entranced while helping them learn their letters.

Toddlers love the spinning action of the letters, and parents will love having a learning toy that doesn't beep, buzz or talk in a machine voice. Scroll down to learn how to make this future heirloom.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Alphabet Toy:

Materials:

1-1/2" furring strips
2-1/2" furring strips
5/16" dowels, approx. 20" long
5/16" washers (or slightly larger) to fit over dowels
drill or drill press and bit

• Cut two 1-1/2" furring strips to 12-1/2" long.

• Drill a 5/16" hole 2-1/2" from one end of the furring strip, then drill holes every 2" from that point. Also drill a hole 6-3/4" from the other end of the furring strip. Repeat the drilling on the other furring strip (figure A).

  Note: If you use a hand drill instead of a drill press, make sure you hold the drill straight up and down so the holes run true. Also, for either type of drill, make sure the holes are centered on the width of the furring strips.

  Safety Alert: Whichever type of power drill you use, always wear eye protection when drilling or using any power tool.

• Make the blocks by cutting a 1-1/2" furring strip into 1-5/8" lengths. You will need 30 of these to cover all of the letters plus four numbers.

• Drill a hole lengthwise in each block (figure B). Again, make sure to hold the drill straight up and down.

• Spice up the blocks with letters on one side of the block and corresponding pictures on the reverse. You can use vinyl letters, woodburning, stamps, images from coloring books or other embellishments (figure C).

• Finish the blocks with one or two coats of decoupage medium or white glue. Be sure all the finishing materials used are non-toxic.

• Insert the dowels in one side of the frame, securing with wood glue (figure D).

• Thread the blocks onto the dowels, inserting washers between all blocks and at each end of the rows. There will be 5 rows of 6 blocks each. Check to make sure the letters and pictures on the blocks will be right-side up when the frame is completed.

• Fit the other frame over the dowels, gluing in place and bringing it flush with the ends of the dowels (figure E).

• Cut 1-1/2" furring strips to fit across the top and bottom of the frame and attach with small screws, brad nails or an air stapler. Align the top of the frame so the narrow edge faces up; do the opposite with the bottom piece.

  Safety Alert: Wear eye protection and be extremely careful when using an air stapler. This is a powerful tool and can be dangerous if used carelessly.

• Cut two 2-1/2" furring strips to 10" long and use a band saw or hand saw to taper the pieces at one end. Sand down the rough edges. These are the sides of the base.

• Drill a hole 3 /4" from the top (tapered end) on both pieces (figure F).

• Cut a 2-1/2" furring strip to 12-3/4" long.

• Screw the side pieces to the bottom of the base, driving screws up from the bottom.

• Attach the frame to the base using 1-1/2" bolts, nuts and washers. Insert the bolts from the inside and secure tightly (figure G).