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Pedal Car Planter

Project by Andy posted 538 days ago 729 views 3 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites Watch

My wife Marilyn has always loved old pedal cars,but there just isnt too many places you can display one,keep the grandkids off of it,and not have the elements damage it.We have had a few over the years and wind up getting rid of them,so I decided I would make one from wood to display on the patio and use as a planter.It can take weather a little better and get a fresh coat of paint,maybe even change colors, every few years.

I took measurements off of a tiny ceramic collectable car about 3’’ long.I played with the scale until it looked about right to my eye and then got to work.I used a wide range of scrap to build it,including MDF,plywood and cedar.I used a trammel and a router to cut the wheels and then mounted toy car wooden wheels onto them for the hub caps.The tires dont rotate to discourage children from taking it for a spin. (HA)The seat is a series of slats to support a planter and to allow drainage.

The most difficult part was figuring out how to make and mount the windshield frame.I decided to make the hood of the car flat to simplify construction and then mounted a tapered hood onto that which also supports the windshield.Alot of time was spent just cutting and fitting,more work than I would have thought possible.But as you already know,most of the time is spent getting the design right.I really enjoyed this project and overall I am pleased with the outcome.


Measurements are= 36’’ long x 20’’ high x 16’‘wide.

My painting assistant was my granddaughter LeAnne.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon


18 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9521 posts in 882 days


posted 538 days ago

Looks pretty cool, and a cute little driver.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Alphie's profile

Alphie

39 posts in 680 days


posted 538 days ago

Nicely done! I bet it was fun with the little helper.

-- Tom, Michigan ~ Working with a renewable resource called wood

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3486 posts in 971 days


posted 538 days ago

fun fun fun

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6176 posts in 668 days


posted 538 days ago

Great looking little car! You did a beautiful job on it. I see you have helpers like I do. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20629 posts in 716 days


posted 538 days ago

This is a nicely designed planter. It was a wonderful idea to get your granddaughter involved in the project as well. But to tell you the truth I think you are fighting a losing battle trying to keep them off the car. :) Even though they can’t “take it for a spin” I am betting they will find a way to play in it.

Thanks for the post. I enjoyed both the post and the story behind it.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7623 posts in 1112 days


posted 537 days ago

Very cute idea nicely done.

Can I borrow your painter? :-)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View Bradford's profile

Bradford

787 posts in 717 days


posted 537 days ago

What model and year of car is it based on? I like this project for two reasons. First is the last picture you posted. and second is why you made it. Nice work. Nice story. Nice assistant. (Gotta get me one of those, so I don’t have to bend down to paint those low spots.) ha ha. Thanks.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

View toyguy's profile (online now)

toyguy

717 posts in 731 days


posted 537 days ago

This is just a wonderful project. Great idea, planning, story and results.

“A tip of the Hat” to you and your little helper.

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 958 days


posted 537 days ago

Neat!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View John Gray's profile

John Gray

1753 posts in 779 days


posted 537 days ago

Super cool thanks for the post.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1751 posts in 610 days


posted 537 days ago

Great looking little car!Super cool

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7302 posts in 1140 days


posted 537 days ago

Great looking planter, my grandson wouldn’t let me put dirt in it though, he’d want to make it ride some how. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View Bureaucrat's profile

Bureaucrat

7236 posts in 546 days


posted 537 days ago

Very cool and it gives me an idea of what I can have my 3 & 5 year old grand daughters help with. Thanks for posting this!

-- Gary, South Central Wisconsin. So much to learn, so little time!

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 873 days


posted 536 days ago

Hi Andy;

Great work here.

I hope you paid the painter well!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Andy's profile

Andy

570 posts in 802 days


posted 534 days ago

Thanks everyone!

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View SteveKorz's profile

SteveKorz

2030 posts in 608 days


posted 529 days ago

Very cool project… your little helper was probably pretty proud to be involved… I can’t help but notice the white T-shirt she’s wearing with not a drop of blue paint on it… that takes some talent!! Give that girl a UserID for LumberJocks!!

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

View Allens's profile

Allens

11 posts in 497 days


posted 497 days ago

Nice car Andy, Making the wheels not roll was a sure way to decrease gas mileage, we should all do that to all of our cars. :)

-- Paul & Kathy Allen

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6439 posts in 877 days


posted 496 days ago

Nice looking project posting … great workmanship

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

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