Most toy wagons are composed of three parts: a main body, an undercarriage, and Wagon Wheels. Traditionally, all these components were crafted from wood. But over the years, steel has increasingly taken its place as the preferred material for toy wagons. Toy wagons offer children the perfect opportunity to hone their gross motor skills and expand their imagination as they role-play with the vehicle.
Build the Body
Wagons are classic vehicles that kids love to play with. They let them push around, pull friends along for the ride, and store their marbles or rocks safely away. Wagons also help develop turn-taking and social interaction skills while teaching children about the world around them. Selecting the ideal wagon is essential for safety, and wooden wagons offer superior longevity. Before building any wagon, it's essential to consider its construction, price point, and quality control standards.
When making a wooden wagon for your child, you have two choices: building one that is already made or constructing it from scratch. If you opt to build the body yourself, the initial step should be creating the body. Use an outline as a reference point on how many pieces and what sizes each should be. Once all the pieces are in place, you can assemble your wagon using wood glue and screws. For even easier assembly, try using battery drills, power screwdrivers, or an impact driver for faster results.
For the main body of your wagon, you will need a piece of wood approximately three feet in length. Measure the height of your longest piece of wood and subtract two inches from it. Likewise, you'll require another smaller board for the base - where wheels will be attached - which should also be three feet long. Next, cut a circle from the bottom of your chosen piece of wood. This circle should serve as the center point for attaching your axel.
When creating your own wheel, adding some sort of rubber tire is a wise idea. This will protect the surface from splinters and keep the wheel from wearing down too quickly. Depending on the type of wagon you're building, wheels may be a bit more challenging to craft than other parts. But you don't have to give up! You can still make one yourself by cutting a round shape out of plywood and gluing it onto an actual wheel. Additionally, painting these custom wheels adds an extra personal touch that makes the piece truly unique.
Build the Wheels
A wooden wagon is an engaging play toy for kids of all ages, offering endless possibilities. They can use it for imaginative play, book trolling, and even storage items like marbles or rocks! To construct a wooden wagon wheel, you will need four rim segments (felloes), eight spokes, and two hub halves. Additionally, you will require some basic tools like a table saw, a scroll saw, a drill press, and a router. The wheel rim (felloe) is typically crafted from wood that's been bent or sawed into a circular shape and mortised into the spokes. To reinforce it, rivets may be added along the outside edges of each spoke mortise for extra support and durability. Most wagon wheels were presoaked in boiling linseed oil prior to ironing in order to make them moisture-proof and extend their usefulness.
Once the wheel rim has been cut, it must be sanded to make it look presentable and neat. Doing this will help your wheel stand out from other items in your yard; take time to do it right! Once the rim segments have been sanded, you must assemble them. Start by gluing one end of the spokes onto the rim segments at a time. Next, attach both other ends of the spokes to the rim segments using clamps as needed.
Next, cut the spokes to their desired length; taking into account the depth of drilled spoke holes in rim segments and the wheel hub (i.e., if those holes were drilled to 3/4" depths, add 1 1/2" extra for spokes' length). Repeat for the remaining four rim segments and eight spokes. Make sure the spokes are long enough to fit inside the rim segments but not too short that they become dangerous when inserted into the hub.
Finally, lightly sand the spokes (dowels) down and buff them smoothly. This will give them a polished appearance while protecting them from getting nicked during transportation. Once your wooden wagon wheel is painted with your desired color, seal it with stain or spray paint to give it an authentic look and help protect it against weathering. For added longevity outdoors, apply protective coatings and finishes for extra protection. This will give the piece a longer-lasting shine.
Build the Handle
A wooden wagon is an engaging toy for children that can be used both indoor and outdoor. It makes a great gift, as they will get to use it daily. Building a wooden wagon requires cutting wood parts and fitting them together. Drawing up an outline is recommended to guarantee you have taken into account all required pieces and that they will fit together securely.
Once you have your plan in place, it is time to begin construction of the body of your wagon. Begin by cutting a base out of hardwood; this will support the rest of the structure and help prevent it from shifting during use. Next, construct the sides and back of your wagon. These pieces are essential for protecting the body from harm and keeping your child secure. They will be the main point of contact between wheels and terrain, so ensure to select quality lumber that will last.
You can use a jigsaw to cut the curves on the sides and back of your wagon. For best results, use a 20-TPI (teeth per inch) blade for precise cuts. Once all parts are cut, apply polyurethane coating for protection and shine. Once the polyurethane dries, attach the sides and back of your wagon to its bottom using wood glue and 6d finish nails. Finally, paint everything red if desired.
For the handle, you will need two dowels; one should be longer. Crosscut them both and then bore a hole in the center of the shorter one with a spade bit. Finally, glue and screw the shorter dowel to the longer one. Finally, drill a pilot hole for an eye screw at one end of the longer dowel. Once the dowels are connected to each other, glue the handle assembly onto them with wood glue and screw in place with a large eye screw. Finally, you can secure this handle pull onto your wagon's steering yoke using another large eye screw.