DIY Wooden Car (Plans by Ana White)

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I built a wooden toy truck using a leftover 1×4 board in my garage.  For this build I used Ana White’s plans for the wood wheelie cars.  This was a quick and easy project  and my first project using my scroll saw. 

The Tools and Supplies

Here’s a list of some of the tools and supplies I gathered to build the toy car:

• A scrap 1×4 board
• 1.5″ x 0.5″ Wood Toy Wheels with Treads (4)
• 0.25″ Wood Dowel
• Rockwell JawHorse Material Support and Saw Horse
• A scroll saw
• Mod Podge (Matte Finish)
• DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paint (Santa Red)

Building the Toy Truck

First, I glued the truck template provided by Ana White onto my 1×4 board.  I used Sheila Landry’s advice on applying scroll saw patterns:  cover the wood with painter’s tape and glue the pattern on top of that.  This protects the wood from the glue so it will take stains and paints well.

Next, I drilled several holes into the board so I had a spot to insert my scroll saw blade.

Then, I used my scroll saw to cut out the shape of the truck.

Once I had the shape cut out, I drilled holes for the truck’s axles (a drill press is on the wishlist now).  I gave the truck a quick sanding and I applied two layers of craft acrylic paint to the body.  After the paint dried I applied a couple layers of Mod Podge to seal the surface.  For the final step, I attached the wheels.

The Completed Toy Truck

Not too shabby for my first go at toy making.  However, I am not happy with the finished toy.  If I did it all over again, I would take my time with the finish.  Also, the driver was not perpendicular to the truck’s body when I created the holes for the axles, so the truck leans slightly (hence the drill press on the wishlist.)  My son does not seem to notice its flaws, so I will try to overlook them as well!