How to Make a Small Toy Car

Building a car is an ideal introductory wooden toy project.

Wooden toys are durable and playing with them allows children to use their imaginations. In addition, building wooden toys is an affordable option for the beginning wooden toy-making hobbyist. Cars are a good introductory project because they can be made with a small amount of materials and tools. You can build your child a whole collection of cars over the course of a weekend. Begin with a basic wooden car and apply the basics to make more complex vehicles.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-4-by-6-inch pine board
• Pencil
• Scroll saw
• Drill press
• 1/4-inch drill bit
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• 1/4-by-2-inch dowels, 2
• Wooden toy wheels, 4
• Brads, 4
• Tack hammer
• Wood glue
• Damp rag
• Craft paints

Instructions

1. Place the pine board on a work surface. Draw the side outline of a car on one of the 4-by-6-inch sides of the board.

2. Cut out the side outline of the car using a scroll saw. Slowly feed the wood through the saw. Allow the blade to cut the material as you guide the board across the saw table until the cut is complete.

3. Drill two holes through the car outline. Drill the holes 1/2-inch up from the bottom edge of the car outline in the position where the center of the wheels will be located. Use a drill press to drill straight holes.

4. Sand the car body with fine-grit sandpaper. Sand in the same direction as the wood grain. Sand along the edges of the car outline to break the edge so it is slightly rounded over.

5. Apply wood glue to the center portion of each dowel. Slide one dowel through each hole in the car body. Center the dowels so that an equal amount of dowel is exposed on each side of the car body. Wipe off any glue on the outside edges of the car body and exposed portions of the dowels.

6. Paint the car body, dowels and wheels with craft paints. Add as much detail to the car as you would like. Allow the paint to dry prior to continuing.

7. Slide each wheel onto the ends of the dowels. Tack a brad into the center of each dowel end hold the wheels in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut a small rectangle from a soda can, sand the edges and paint it to look like a license plate. Tack the plate onto the back bumper of the car for added detail.

• Wear eye protection when working with wood.

References

• Shopsmith Hands On: The Old-Fashioned Toy Cars
• Alice's Workshop: School Bus

Resources

• Bechalikeit: How to Build a Miniature Wood Craft Car