How to Build a Child's Wagon
Radio Flyer made the little red child's wagon a popular toy and was featured in scenes of the movie "A Christmas Story." Children's wagon are easily constructed by hand and provide a more sentimental keepsake when the child reaches adulthood and passes the wagon on to their own children. The following instructions should assist you in completing your own child-sized wagon in a single weekend setting.
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Things You'll Need
- Four wheels measuring at least six inches in diameter Four wheel wagon axle frame system with handle attachment Nine 2-inch by 4-inch pieces of lumber, measuring three feet in length Six 2-inch by 4-inch pieces of lumber, measuring 16 inches in length 10 2-inch by 2-inch pieces of lumber, measuring one foot in length Power saw Carpenter's square tool Tape measure Pencil Sand paper Paint or varnish Paintbrush Screws Screw gun Safety goggles Gloves
Instructions
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Measure and the cut the pieces of lumber to meet the specifications listed in the needed materials section, above. Use the carpenter's square tool to make straight measurements and the power saw to make straight, even cuts.
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2
Lay two of the 2-by-2-inch pieces out parallel to one another and one and a half feet apart. Lay three of the three-feet long, 2-by-4-inch boards across the two pieces, lining the three pieces up so that they are even with one another. Screw the three pieces to the two pieces to create one solid sheet with the five pieces. Repeat this step two more times, using up all of the three-foot long pieces and four more of the 2-by-2-inch pieces.
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3
Lay two of the 2-by-2-inch pieces out parallel to one another, this time only six inches apart. Lay three of the 16-inch long 2-by-4-inch boards across the two pieces, and screw together as in the previous step. Repeat this step a second time with the remaining pieces of lumber.
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4
Construct a rectangular frame with two of the large pieces and two of the short pieces. Screw the remaining large piece to the bottom of the rectangular frame to create an open top box form. This creates the wagon compartment.
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5
Attach the wagon wheel axle frame system with attached handle to the underside of the wagon compartment. The wagon wheel axle frame may be hard to obtain; try visiting junk yards or asking around flea markets for old toy wagon parts. Attach wheels to the axle if need be.
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Sand the wooden compartment of the wagon, be sure to remove all rough areas and eliminate the possibility of your children or grandchildren getting splinters in their backsides. Paint or varnish the wagon, and allow to dry for a day or two before giving it to a child.
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Tips & Warnings
Toy wagons may also be used to haul stuff around the yard during yard work and also as a decorative flower pot.
