| Project by Andy | posted 538 days ago | 729 views | 3 times favorited | 18 comments |  |
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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
GaryK
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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.
Alphie
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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
Napaman
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3486 posts in 971 days
posted 538 days ago
fun fun fun
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
ND2ELK
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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
Scott Bryan
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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.
CharlieM1958
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7623 posts in 1112 days
posted 537 days ago
Very cute idea nicely done.
Can I borrow your painter? :-)
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Bradford
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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.
toyguy
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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/
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 958 days
posted 537 days ago
Neat!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
John Gray
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1753 posts in 779 days
posted 537 days ago
Super cool thanks for the post.
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
jeanmarc
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1751 posts in 610 days
posted 537 days ago
Great looking little car!Super cool
-- jeanmarc manosque france
jockmike2
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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
Bureaucrat
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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!
Lee A. Jesberger
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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
Andy
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570 posts in 802 days
posted 534 days ago
Thanks everyone!
-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon
SteveKorz
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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) †
Allens
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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
DAN
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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