kkrunde Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 A friend wants me to make her son a chicken toy that can roll around. I can make the chicken no problem. How do I make and attach wheels? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 (edited) I use the easy cheap way! I cut them on the drill-press with hole saws; usually from scrap wood. I then re-drill the hole a little larger to accommodate a decent sized axel. I use a jig that I made to run the wheels against the belt sander. this cleans them up easily. Hope this helps. I then glue the one side, wax the axel with a good rub of candle wax, and then assemble with a wooden mallet! Light taps lots of glue --careful not get the glue in the axel hole! I have screwed-up and had to drill them out! Wax axle by rubbing HARD against bee's wax candle stub If you can ! They are better lube than soy candles. Before the glue has cured try turning the wheels carefully! Better to have to dis-assemble than to have to drill out! A sturdy base when tapping the wheels on is essential. Hope this helps. I have also made wheels using a flat cut bit in the mounted router. I had a home-made table and holes that Philips screwdriver just snugly slid into. Carefully Plunged the plywood piece onto the bit and then just slowly turned using the screwdriver as my pivot! Hope this helps! They can also be very carefully cut on a scrollsaw! I even have a hole drilled in my scrollsaw table for that purpose; although I rarely use it. Careful also of the selecting wood because some have splitting tendencies, on the wheels-- some wood makes decorative, not playable wheels! Edited November 20, 2014 by rjR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Kelly, do a search ' How to make toy wooden wheels ' Should be able to find a method you like and can do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkrunde Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Thanks rjR - What type of wood makes playable wheels? Thanks Larry - I did that and was a little overwhelmed LOL I think I might be out of my league with wheels! I understand the cutting of the wheel after reading over and over, but the axle is where I'm getting stuck. I may just follow the directions exactly and figure out it as I go along. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Use a dowel ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I do almost the same thing that Ralph does, cut the wheels out with a hole saw on a drill press. I actually found that process problematic. You really have to clamp down on the stock so it doesn't move around. I too use an circle sanding jig on a disk sander to clean up the cut from the hole saw. You can use the same type of jig to cut circles at the scroll saw if that's your preference. I drill out the body of the toy for the axle, 1/64 oversize, and use a dowel for the axle. Here's a pic of a pull toy I made a while back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 The easy solution is to buy ready made wheels. You can find them at any craft store along with axle pegs. Jim Finn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkrunde Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I do understand that it's a dowel, it was more how to attach it to the toy and make it roll that I was struggling with, I have since figured it out Oldhudson - Love the grasshopper! You did a beautiful job! Yep it would be easier to buy them, but I really want to learn how to do it myself. I like being able to say I made it all. I will figure it out, I'm just more of a hands on learner and it will take me time. Wish I knew someone locally that I could watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 You could also use one of these jigs: https://mcjing.com.au/categorybrowser.aspx?categoryid=1214&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. I haven't used one and they are expensive, but if you ever get into making wheels it would be worth it. bobscroll 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkrunde Posted November 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Oh wow Dan that is really cool! Definitely expensive, but maybe I will keep a look out at yard sales next year and see if I can get one used. I do have a drill press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Kelly You don't know the word can't! What a go getter done!!!!Hubby must be REAL proud of you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 looks like Ralph had the perfect and easy solution.. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I make a lot of simple toy cars. I just buy the wheels at Michael's or any other craft store. They're super cheap. You can make your own as suggested above. Here's a video I did last Easter that also shows how to add the wheel axel along with a few tips. About 2:10 in, and you'll see the wheel section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Slices of large dowel for the wheel and 1/4" or so dowel for the axle. Drill a hole in the toy body to glue the axle into. Drill a hole in the wheel dowel that will fit the axle and turn freely on it. Use a piece of dowel a little larger than the axle dowel to make a hub cap that will hold the wheel on the axle. Glue the "hub cap" to the axle not the wheel...... That is about as simple and basic as it gets. Maybe if we knew what tools you have access to, there would be other suggestions. LarryEA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Sorry, I forgot to add the easy part! Drill slightly oversized holes through the body of the toy, or pieces of wood together that you will glue(attach) to the toy. Now I have found that 1/4 is too small for the axel as kids twist and break them. I use 3/8 dowels that I buy in bunches. I agree with you-- I want to be able to say "I made it". Now I drill the wheel centers a very small oversize of the dowel. I glue one wheel on and let the glue set. I have found it sometimes works better to paint the wheels off the toy and then touch up after the assembly. Now the centers of the axels I hand rub with candle stubs(A hard wax of some kind) and then assemble and glue the other wheel on! Make sure to leave a little side play and to roll the toy before the glue totally sets so you do not accidentally glue it solid! I also usually have a little run-in on the belt sander(actually fun--Careful Sanders BITE!) before any painting. The belt sander can give you a nice fast gentle edge and remove a lot of the holesaw rash! I have used a thicker (3/4) or so pine for wheels without issues. I decent plywood will also work, but the solid woods seem to work. If you ant to ask me any more questions just email me a message; I sometimes miss re-checking on some posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Broom handle and a saw........................................hundreds of wheels. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted November 24, 2014 Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) Broom handle and a saw........................................hundreds of wheels. Roly But Roly, if I cut the broom handle how will my wife get to the store? Edited November 24, 2014 by Dan Phantom Scroller 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkrunde Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2014 Oh Dan..... that is harsh LOL I thought you were going to say "how will my wife clean my castle" I did figure out how to make wheels, but I don't have a dowel... I have been thinking about taking my daughter's paint brush handles, but I don't see that going well LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 Kelly the simple and cheapest way to make wheels is with a holesaw. You can get one if you do not have one all ready at Lowes or Home Depot. A 1 1/2 inch hole saw will cut you out a round with a hole that is centered. All you would need to do is to get a dowel that would fit the hole in the "wheel" you would of course need to drill a hole through the toy so that the axle would be able to reach out of both sides so that you can put the wheels on it. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted November 25, 2014 Report Share Posted November 25, 2014 But Roly, if I cut the broom handle how will my wife get to the store? She's behind you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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