How to Build a Model Merry-Go-Round
A model merry-go-round is a perfect addition to a little girl's room, turning it into her own magical playland so she'll always feel like she's at the fair. A model carousel also is perfect for an outdoor garden or a baby's nursery, according to Magicstables.com. The enchantment and sweet memories of the timeless amusement ride date back to the very late 1800s, when merry-go-rounds powered by electricity became popular across the United States, according to Chevron Products Co.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- One round plywood (60 inches in diameter)
- Drill
- Wood glue
- 60-inch-long wood dowel or stick
- Four mini-ponies and/or seats (about 3 feet tall)
- Four wood dowels, 36 inches long by 5/8 inch wide
- Paint
- Round lace tablecloth (65 inches to 70 inches in diameter)
- Tacks
- White glue
- Needle and sewing thread
- Ribbons
- Music box
- Christmas lights
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the center of the circular piece of plywood (which will serve as your merry-go-round base), and drill a 1-inch-wide hole in the center. Then, drill four holes of the same size around the edges of the base. Make sure the holes are evenly spaced apart, and line them up precisely with the center hole.
-
2
Put a coat of wood glue on an end of the 60-inch-long wood dowel or stick, and put this end in the center hole of the merry-go-round base.
-
-
3
Attach the merry-go-round seats or ponies to the 36-inch-long wood dowels using wood glue. Make sure the seats are about 24 inches from the base of the wood dowels.
-
4
Put a coat of wood glue on an end of each of the 36-inch-long wood dowels, and again place them into the holes that line the edge of the circular piece of plywood. Make sure the ends of the wood dowels are flush with the holes. Allow the glue to dry. You also can paint the wood dowels and the carousel base so that they match the colors of your merry-go-round ponies/seats. Allow the paint to dry as well.
-
5
Measure the center of the circular lace tablecloth covering, and glue this center to the top of the center wood dowel. You also can use a tack to attach the tablecloth to the dowel. Stretch the covering out, and glue or tack down the ends to the tops of the 36-inch-long wood dowels bearing the ponies/seats.
-
6
Allow 5 inches of the fabric to hang over the tops of the dowels, or add fringe lace to the tablecloth using glue or by sewing them on. Tie ribbons on the side wood dowels. You can even add a music box that plays traditional carousel music to the model carousel, placing it on the merry-go-round base. Add some Christmas lights for a popular flashing-lights effect.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You can use a beach umbrella to form the merry-go-round canopy instead of the tablecloth. It already has a center post, so you wouldn't need the center wood dowel. You can drape decorative lace or fabric over the umbrella and even put a small motor in the base to make it go around.
