Wood Toy Truck Patterns

Free wood toy truck patterns full size complete with instructions and photos. Made from half inch stock, it is tough enough to cope with normal play. Dimensions 45cm long, 16cm wide and 13cm high.

This is an easy project but still interesting for the more experienced woodworker.

Tools

This toy can be made with a limited number of power tools. Safety is always the first consideration when dealing with such small pieces of timber.

Below is a list of some of the tools that I used to complete the project. 

These links will take you to a page on Ebay where you can get an idea of what is available today.

A cordless drill, a jigsaw (sabre saw) and a scroll saw for cutting curves.

A tenon saw (back saw), and a hacksaw to cut wooden dowels.

Can you ever have enough clamps?

A combination square, wood file, sanding block with 120 and 80 grit sandpaper.

Selection of drill bits.

Here is how I made my own wooden wheels using a drill press and a circle cutter.

Nice to have but not essential is a 12 inch disc sander or a linisher. 

A hot melt glue gun is useful in many ways, and it certainly helps to speed up the process.

Materials

For this project, whatever you can find in your scrap box. I used 12mm or half-inch thick pine for the sides and the tipper, and various bits and pieces for the rest.

Step by Step Instructions

These instructions and the patterns are available as part of the toys for boys eBook.

Scroll down to the bottom of the screen for the download.

Most people use carbon paper to trace the outline onto the work-piece. Another way to do it is to rub soft pencil on the back of the plan.

The photo below shows the paper template on the work-piece.

Step 1

Using double sided sticky tape or removable sticky dots to hold the two work-pieces together, I carefully cut out the body shape with a jigsaw. It is a good idea to mark the position of all the wheels and the hinge point of the lever arm before removing the paper template.

Drill the holes for the wheels, but not the lever arm at this stage.

Smooth the edges cut by the jigsaw.

Step 2

Glue the top of the bonnet (Part C) to the right hand side of the truck body (Part A1), making sure it is perpendicular.
Because I did not want to wait too long for the glue to set, I used hot melt glue as an experiment, and I was quite amazed at the strength of the joint.

Step 3

Trim Part B to match the angle of the bonnet (Part C) then glue in place.  Glue Part D in place, making sure that is perpendicular.

Step 4

Glue the left hand side (Part A2) in place, and the roof (Part F.)

Step 5

Make Part E, the hinge for the tipper tray. Hold it in place and mark the size to cut, allowing a millimeter or so for clearance.

Step 6

The floor of the tipper tray held in place and two pilot holes drilled into part E for a pair of wood screws. Test the movement of the tipper and trim as required.

Step 7

This is where we determine the position of Part G, which essentially also limits how far the tipper tray rotates.
With Part G in place, drill pilot holes on both sides. Remove the tipper tray and glue Part G in place using wood screws as clamps. Once the glue has set, you can trim it to size. You may also want to remove the screws and replace them with dowels.

Step 8

To make the tipper tray glue the two sides and the front in place.
When the glue has set, mount the tipper tray assembly to the truck body.
The lever arm (shown red in the photo) is held in place with a wood screw. Mark the position of the lever arm on the underside of the tipper tray.

Step 9

Drill a shallow hole in this mark to enable the lever arm to rest in this position.

Step 10

All of the component parts are ready, all that remains is the final assembly, sanding the edges round and painting to colours of your choice.

Download Wood Toy Truck Patterns

Download free printable PDF wood toy truck patterns.

More Toys For Boys

Making Wooden Toy Wheels

For this toy dump truck, I made my own wheels using a circle cutter mounted in a drill press.

It may be easier to buy ready made toy wheels. 

A selection of from Ebay. Includes wagon wheels, spoked wheels and wheels with treads.

Have you made a wooden toy truck?

Showcase your wooden toy truck project here.

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