Cut Slats for Toy Trucks Easily

I build lots of toy cars and trucks, so I'm always looking for simpler and faster building techniques. One particularly time-consuming job was ripping and gluing up thin strips for making slatted, stake-side panels for truck beds. My solution: Glue the stakes to a solid piece of stock the size of the finished slats as shown below.

When the glue dries, cut away the material between the slats with a dado set and tablesaw. This wastes a little more stock, but the time saved makes it worthwhile.
—Richard Rosencrans, Cody, Wyo.