Barrie, there are vacuum clamping systems available but double sided carpet tape works great.

 

You can stack cut them on a scroll saw

 

Welcome to the forum, Barrie.

In this case, I would agree with Doug. Use your scroll saw.

 

You can stack cut them on a bandsaw ( good call Doug ), if you do not want to invest in a vacuum clamp and do them one at a time. You can also find most shapes, in Birch, at Michelle's, or Hobby lobby.

Baker

 

If you go the router route it will be difficult if not impossible to make the cut into narrow part of the heart or star. The narrow part would normally be tight like a V which because of the bit circumference you won't be able to make. It will come out looking more like a U. That plus the fact that you will still need to rough the forms out with a saw makes using the scroll saw a better option.

 

Barrie, THAT IS NOT A ROUTER JOB!...You will best be served as others have said: Scroll Saw, or you could make a stout template and use a coping saw or even a flush-cut hand saw. Depending on your setup, you might also be able to do this with a "baby router" such as Dremel or Roto-Zip, but securely holding the workpiece will be of key importance!
Otis Guillebeau from Auburn, Georgia

 

Ditto. My thought was "Bandsaw"

 

Tape, stacking and either band or scroll saw makes a lot of sense. I think you should add an extra sacrificial piece of half inch MDF to the bottom of the stack to reduce tearout. Also, how will you handle the sharp edge? Most toy items like this have slightly rounded (relieved) edges. How will you finish them--natural clear coating or paint?

I'm thinking about making parquetry blocks for use in a therapy setting using hard woods and/or Baltic Birch ply. While researching this I found a used book on Amazon that is really helpful. It is "Making Toys That Teach" by Les Neufeld. Cost $10 bucks with shipping. Very practical solutions and methods. For example, using a long piece cut to the shape you want, then slice off pieces of a certain thickness using a sled and table saw, or a well tuned band saw. He also talks about child safe finishes

I'm going to be on the lookout for recycled hardwoods in various colors.

 

number 23g Pin nails work great for that type of job,once your done done you can pull them out and it's real hard to see the holes almost the same as a desk staple would make (tack ,tack and start the router job) no need to mess with the nasty DST tape..

Amazon.com: NuMax SP123 23 Gauge 1-Inch Pinner: Home Improvement

http://www.amazon.com/P6-MP-3-Gauge...dp/B0012BV21W/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1370962950&sr=1-4&keywords=pin+nailer



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Many thanks to all, shows that this site is going to be a godsend !
All comments taken in. I will persevere with the scroll saw, I was thinking of trying out the pantograph by 'wood gears' that I made ! Thank you all once again Poppy01

 

bobj3 have tried the pins, ok just a spot of sawdust and glue, job done