Station Wagon - The Woodcrafter Page© 2004

Materials needed:
1 2x4, 14" long
1 1¼" dowel, 3" long
1 ¼" dowel, 9" long
Carpenter's glue.
Childsafe clear wood finishpaints (Red, White & Blue, of course.)
Childsafe enamel paints (Black and white or silver.)

Construction:

1. Start by cutting a 7½" length of the 2 x 4 for the body.
2. Cut a 5½" length of the 2 x 4 for the top.
3. Using a planer or band saw, resaw/reduce the thicknes of both to exactly 1½".
4. Cut the 45^o bevel (for the windshield) onto the front of the top.
5. Cut a 10^o bevel along both sides and the back of the top.
6. Locate and mark the two axle positions.
7. Drill pilot holes for the axles.
Make sure the block of wood is true and plumb or the axles will not fit properly.
8 Clamp a scrap piece of lumber to the bottom of the base and drill the 1½" diameter wheelwell holes ¼" deep.
This is to prevent the wood from splitting as you driil these holes.
9. Drill the ¼" holes for the axles.
Run the bit through several times to make sure the hole is clean.
10. Use a belt or disc sander to round off all the edges before assembly.
11. Position, glue and clamp the top to the base being careful to keep the backs aligned.
12. Cut four ¼" thick wheels from the 1¼" diamater dowel.
13. Cut two 3½" long axles from the ¼" diamater dowel.
14. Locate the exact centers of the wheels and drill ¼" holes all the way through.
15. Glue one wheel to one end of each axle keeping the axle flush with the wheel.
16. Sand and apply finish the parts before final assembly or you will not be able to get to some sopts on the body.
Use a very thin, smooth flat washer between each wheel and the body.
17. Insert the axles through the holes and glue the remaining wheels on.
Wax the axle to help it turn easily.
18. Trim off the excess length of axle and sand smooth.
19. Apply the finish coats.

*********** WARNING***********
Read my page on safety before building this item.