How to Make Tractor Models Out of Wood

The Body

• 1

  Cut the 2-inch-by-4-inch wood scrap to a length of 8 inches with the hand saw. Label one of the 4-inch sides "front" and the other "back." Label one of the 8-inch sides top and the other "bottom."

• 2

  Make four pencil marks across the top, counting from the back at 1, 2, 3 and 7 1/4 inches. Label them "A," "B," "C" and "D." Make a pencil mark across the front, 3/4 inches from the top and one at the bottom, 3/4 inch from the front. Label these points "E" and "F." Make a pencil mark across the back, 1 inch from the top. Label it "G."

• 3

  Draw a pencil line from "E" to "F." Cut through the lumber scrap along that line. Make a 1 3/4-inch deep cut at point "A" and 3-inch deep cuts at "B" and "C." Make a straight cut from "G" until you reach the first cut.

• 4

  Punch out the 1-inch sections between "B" and "C" and "A" and "B" with the chisel and mallet. Round off the corner section between "D" and "E" with the rasp. Make two "X"-marks with your pencil, 1 inch from the rear and 1 inch from the bottom and 1 3/4 inches from the front and 1/2 inch from the bottom.

• 5

  Attach the 5/16-inch bit to your drill. Drill through both "X'-marks. Sand all surfaces thoroughly first with coarse grain sandpaper, then medium, then fine. Wipe off the sawdust between passes.

The Wheels

• 6

  Draw two 4-inch-diameter circles onto the remaining 2-inch-by-4-inch lumber scrap with your compass. Draw two 3-inch diameter circles onto the 3/4-inch thick wood scrap. Mark the center points with an "X."

• 7

  Cut out the circles with your jigsaw. Attach the 1/4-inch bit to the power drill. Holding the drill perfectly straight, drill completely through all circles at the "X."

• 8

  Cut two 6 1/4-inch lengths of dowel with the handsaw. Spread wood glue on one 2-inch end section of each dowel. Wait 30 seconds. Tap one dowel into the hole of a 4-inch circle with the hammer, the other into the hole of a 3-inch circle.

• 9

  Sand all surfaces of all circles thoroughly. Use coarse-grain paper first, then medium, then fine. Wipe off the sawdust between passes.

Finishing

• 10

  Apply a coat of wood stain to all surfaces, except the dowels. Let the stain dry completely. Sand off the raised fibers with fine-grain paper. Apply a second coat of stain.

• 11

  Brush on a coat of shellack wood finish to all stained surfaces when the second coat of stain is completely dry. Let the finish dry completely.

• 12

  Slide the dowels through the drilled holes on the tractor body. Lay the tractor model on the side so that it rests on the wheels. Spread a thin coat of wood glue on the the dowels' free 2-inch end sections. Wait 30 seconds. Gently tap the wheels onto the dowels with the hammer.