2026 Touchmark Christmas Toy Project

[Dennis Mills]

Hi Folks,

Time to start thinking about the Christmas toys we will be making for Touchmark. The cradles for the girls are a given, but they would like to do dump trucks for the boys. Dump trucks that are easier to paint. 

I've attached an image of the dump truck we have done in the past. It could be simplified by removing the small vertical pieces that surround the dump body, and other changes could be made, OR we can come up with a new design. I like the way our current truck looks - it looks like a truck and not one of those very simple ones made from a single piece of 2x4 .

If you have design or a picture of a design you like, please forward them to me so I can show them to the group, and make a computer model complete with dimensioned parts.

Also, if you would like to sign up for the project, please send me your name and what you would like to do.

Dennis

[Brian Boldt]

Hi Dennis,

Could you give us newbies a bit more info on this project?  Sounds really great but would love to know more.  Do we build and Touchmark residence paint and distribute?  Who gets the toys?  How many do we build?  Is it a team event or each of us build so many?  Etc. 

Thanks!

Brian

Brian

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From: central-oregon-...@googlegroups.com <central-oregon-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dennis Mills <dennis.m...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2026 1:47:50 PM
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Subject: 2026 Touchmark Christmas Toy Project

 

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[Dennis Mills]

Hi Folks,

It has been suggested that we simplify the current dump truck by eliminating the vertical slats around the dump box and remove the steps to the cab door.....and no fuel tanks. That seems doable and simplifies the assembly process as well. Unless someone has a better idea, we will go forward with these changes.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Touchmark Christmas toy project, we build a number of toys for boys and girls and give them to Touchmark to paint, stain, and otherwise decorate them. Then, at a December reception we get together at Touchmark with their crew, have a few words and hear from the three agencies located in Bend that will distribute these toys to those in need.

I list the different parts, people sign up to make part or all of them, and then we have two assembly parties to bring parts together and finish the toys' construction. I also provide dimensioned drawings to remove any guesswork. 

Dennis

[Mike and Chris Wulf]

Very cool

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From: central-oregon-...@googlegroups.com <central-oregon-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dennis Mills <dennis.m...@gmail.com>

Sent: Friday, April 10, 2026 5:33:39 PM

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Subject: Re: 2026 Touchmark Christmas Toy Project

 

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[Dennis Mills]

Hi Folks,

I currently have all of the cradle parts spoken for, so all that is left is the dump truck. I will be sending out pictures of each truck part so you can sign up  for them. As soon as all parts are assigned I'm going to order the wood so we can get an even earlier start. Our delivery time to Touchmark won't change, but an earlier start time allows people greater leeway in making parts. Whenever we have all parts for one of the two toys I will set up an assembly party.

Dennis

[Mike and Chris Wulf]

I’m interested in helping. How many of these trucks are made each year?

My name is mike wulf.

541. 419. 8056.

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Subject: Re: 2026 Touchmark Christmas Toy Project

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[Dennis Mills]

Hi Folks,

We are making 30 cradles and 30 trucks this year. Here are pictures and drawings for all of the dump truck parts. Some of the pictures are from drawings I made from a 3D model in CAD and have the typical three views; front, side, top. The simple parts are from a Sketchup model I made years ago. I didn't see the need to repeat these in a new CAD program.

You can sign up for a part but that doesn't mean you have to make all 30 (or 60 in the case of the fenders and box sides). Partial sets of parts are fine - please email me if you would like to make some parts. Contact me if you have any questions about the parts.

The fenders are special. I modeled them using lines, arcs, and splines , so they are hard to dimension. The best thing if you sign up for them is to use the picture to make a template. Adjust the scale on your printer until your copy has the same size as depicted in the original, then make your template. The fenders are handed because the 1/8" round over only occurs on the outside edge.

You will see some pictures with dimensions in 32nds. This is because of clearances so don't round up or down if you choose to make those parts. The 11/32" diameter holes are important as well for good fit of the axles.

Questions?

Dennis

PS: If you need additional dimensions I can provide them - just ask.

[Dennis Mills]

Hi Folks,

When I looked at my sent file of parts I noticed the dimensions were small and hard to read and fuzzy if enlarged. I am resending the alibre series of drawings with enlarged dimensions. I hope this makes the drawings easier to read.

Dennis