Making Wooden Toy Cars

by kelly — July 16, 2025

Simple silhouettes are easy to cut

By Lyndol Hutcherson

Every year, my church makes a mission trip to New York City. Although I can’t go on the trip,
I send 150 of these cars for the kids. I designed the cars for children to paint as well as play with, and they’re always a hit. Before diving into your first car, check out our exclusive article on how to add a flawless finish with spray painting.

Making the Cars

Run 2×4 scraps through a planer to remove about
1/16″ (2mm) from each side, which removes the worst dings. Then, attach the patterns with spray adhesive, positioning the bottoms of the axle supports on the edge of the blank.

Drill the axle holes through the blank where indicated. Then, drill blade-entry holes for the window frets with a #54 bit. Cut along the bottoms of the cars. Chuck a 7/8″ (22mm)-diameter Forstner bit in the drill press, set it to drill 1/4″ (6mm) into the blank, and drill the wheel recesses on both sides. Cut the perimeter of the car, and then round the edges; I use a sanding mop.

Cut the dowels to size, glue one wheel to each dowel, and let dry. If you’re painting the cars, paint them now. Then, insert the dowel through an axle hole, sanding it lightly if necessary, and glue on the other wheel.

Materials

• 2×4 construction lumber: assorted scraps

• Wheels: 4 per car, 3/4″ (19mm)-dia.

• Dowels, 3/16″ (5mm)-dia.: 2 each
1 5/8″ (41mm) long

• Paint (optional)

• Wood glue

• Spray adhesive

Tools

• Scroll saw with blades: #5 skip tooth, such as FD Polar

• Drill press with bits: 7/32″ (5.5mm) brad point, #54 wire size, 7/8″ (22mm)-dia. Forstner

• Planer (optional)

• Paintbrushes

• Sanding mop

About the Author

Lyndal Hutcherson, PhD, is a retired mathematics educator who lives in Carrollton, Texas. After 30 years in teaching with no hobbies, he found a scroll saw at a local garage sale. Lyndal was hooked, so he developed a small arts and crafts business. He is a charter member of DFW scrollers and on the Board of Directors of S.A.W. Contact Lyndal at LBWorkshop@verizon.net.