tinkertoy can podium
january 2018
The Tinkertoys are construction sets for children, created in 1914. It consists of plastic spools, sticks and other simple geometric shapes. It is prominently featured in Toy Story as Woody's podium.
The Tinkertoys are construction sets for children, created in 1914. It consists of plastic spools, sticks and other simple geometric shapes. It is prominently featured in Toy Story as Woody's podium.
One of my clients wanted Woody's Tinkertoy cannister podium. He bought a vintage can that had the right lid but the can was too tall.
This is the original 1993 can as shown in the film.
The source can came with a ton of parts that I could use to re-create the illustrations on the label.
This, according to the label, is a "boat". I'm not seeing it…
As a graphic designer, re-creating this label was right in my skill-set. I had it printed on vinyl at a local vendor. I later re-printed it on matte stock that more closely matched the original can.
After wrapping the giant can, I could cut it down to the proper height.
I made a mold of the original can.
I also molded the lid, intending to slush cast copies.
The copy is on the right. It's a little too red but I can adjust the color easy enough.
I cold cast the can with aluminum powder so that it shines when polished.
The recess for the lip of the can filled in while slush casting so I whipped up a jig for use on the drill press. Unfortunately, it just wasn't precise enough to preserve the thin lid walls.
I gave up on making the lid lock onto the can but it fits nicely on top and looks right.
I lined the edge of the label up on the edge seam and wrapped the vinyl around the can.
The final can.
It's meeting time…gather the toys!