Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Parts
Cut two lengths from 2-by-4-inch scraps, one to 6 inches and one to 1 inch. These are the chassis and cab. Place the 1-inch length in the vise so the 4-inch side is facing you. Place several cardboard squares between the 1-inch sides and the vise to protect the wood.
Draw a straight line across the top, 1/4 inch from the front. Draw pencil lines on the 1-inch sides from the top line to the front bottom corners. Cut off the wedge shape you marked with these lines with the handsaw.
Cut two 1-inch lengths from the 2-by-2 scraps with the handsaw. You also need to cut two 6-inch lengths of dowel, two 3-inch lengths of lattice scraps and a 3 1/2-inch length of lattice.
Attach the keyhole bit to the drill press. Place the 2-inch-by-4-inch scrap on the drill press. Cut two 2-inch circles out of the scrap.
Attach the 3/8-inch drill bit to the drill press. Drill straight through the center of each 1-inch side of the 2-by-2-inch pieces. Attach the 1/4-inch bit to the drill press. Drill straight through the center of each 2-inch wheel.
Round off the chassis' edges with the rasp at the front, side, bottom and rear. Only round off the first front inch of the top. Round off the cab's side and top edges.
Assembly
Sand the surfaces of all parts thoroughly. Use coarse grain paper first, then medium, then fine. Wipe the surfaces with a shop rag between passes.
Spread wood glue on the cab's bottom and one 4-inch side of each 2-by-2 inch piece with a cardboard square. Spread glue on the 1/4-inch wide sides of the lattice pieces as follows: one 3/4-inch side and one 3-inch side for the 3-inch pieces, both 3/4-inch sides and one 3 1/2-inch side for the 3 1/2-inch piece. Wipe off any excess glue with cardboard squares.
Wait 30 seconds. Center the 2-by-2 pieces on the chassis bottom, 1 inch from the front and 1/4 inch from the rear. Place the cab on the chassis top, 1 inch from the front. Place the 3-inch lattice pieces behind the cab so they are flush with the chassis' rear and side. Place the 3 1/2-inch lattice piece between the 3-inch pieces so it is flush with the rear.
Place protective cardboard squares on the cab's and lattice pieces' tops, as well as the bottoms of the 2-by-2-inch pieces. Position the adjustable clamps on the cardboard squares. Tighten the clamps. Wipe of any glue that squeezes out with cardboard squares. Wait 30 minutes for the glue to dry.
Finishing and Attaching the Wheels
Apply a coat of wood stain to all surfaces with cheesecloth. Let the stain dry completely. Gently sand off the raised wood fibers with fine-grain sandpaper. Apply a second coat of wood stain. When the stain is completely dry, brush on a thin coat of lacquer finish. Do not stain and coat the outer 2-inch sections of the dowels.
Spread wood glue on the outer 2-inch sections of each dowel. Wait 30 seconds. Push each dowel into one 2-inch wheel. Wipe off any excess glue with cardboard squares.
Slide the dowels through the holes in the 2-by-2-inch pieces. Lay the monster truck on its side so it rests on the wheels. Push the remaining wheels onto the dowel axles. Let the glue dry for 30 minutes.