An easy way to make standup toys that will rock is by cutting out silhouettes from three- or five-ply plywood after first spreading the outer plies of veneer with wedges at the base. This is done by prying up the two outer plies with a sharp knife for a distance of 3 in. in the case of a figure 6 in. high. Two wedges 3 in. long are planed down from 1/4-in. material, covered with glue, and slipped into place as shown in A of Figure 2.6. Clamps are then applied to exert the necessary pressure while the glue is drying.

After the clamps are removed the silhouette is traced on the plywood with the feet end as near as possible to the bottom of the wedged out portion. Care should be exercised in scribing and cutting the bottom, or rocker portion, so that the figure will always balance in a vertical position when motionless.

After the outline has been cut out of the plywood with a coping saw, it should be thoroughly sanded before applying bright colored enamels, as in B.

Another method of constructing the rocker is to bisect a 6-in. or 8-in. disk cut from J-in. stock, then half-lap the two semicircular portions at right angles to each other as indicated in C. A circular or square platform is screwed or nailed across the flat tops of the two rockers to hold a stiff jointed doll or other figure, which can be rocked forward and backward, as well as sideways.

Fig. 9.6. Roly Rollo.