Step by step process of making a wooden toy car from scratch… sort of.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of making something for someone. Last year for my sons birthday I wanted to make him something special. Tow trucks seemed to be popular so I figured I’d make him one. But what good is a tow truck without cars to tow. In this video I start with a simple car. Made from a walnut off cut, some axle pegs and wheels (you can also just use dowels). The drill press plays a huge role in this build. While you can use hand tools for most of this build getting perfect holes without one can be difficult.

The recipe:

Ingredients aka Tools and materials:
Block of wood
Drill press
Bandsaw/handsaw
Flush cut saw
Marking gauge
Square
Forstner bit 1 1/8” and 3/8” for recess in the wheels
Brad point drill bit 7/32” and 3/8”
Sandpaper 80-220
Axle pegs for 1/4” wheels. 7/32”
(1/4” dowel and a piece of scrap wood for jig)
Wood glue
Food safe finish

Optional: paste wax for wheels and axles. Whittling knife, spray adhesive.

Directions:
*Start with a squared piece of wood

*Draw out car shape or attach template or design

*Using a marking gauge and an awl, mark out placement of holes for wheels, axle pegs and headlights

*Trim axle pegs to size using a simple jig and flush cut saw

*Drill holes using drill press using wheels and pegs as a reference

*Cut out car shape on bandsaw (or handsaw)

*Round over sharp edges using sandpaper (optional: chisel, knife or apron plane)

*Apply food safe finish

*Glue axles and wheels

Let dry and swerve fast ; )

A printable template with measurements is available on my website. www.domakebuild.com