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How to Make a Push Scooter

Nearly eighty years ago, the push scooter was invented. It was a simple affair, with a wooden platform, a pole and three small wheels. Thanks to the wheels, which were small and often made of metal, scooters were slow, but they allowed their riders the opportunity to have fun. Now, you make a push scooter for your kids. They will enjoy this timeless toy -- and you might enjoy riding it as well.

Things You'll Need

1/2-inch-by-2-inch board
2-inch-by-3-inch board
3/4-inch plywood
Saw
2 eye bolts, each 1/4 inch by 2 inches, and each with a 5/8-inch eye
2 eye bolts, each 1/4 inch by 3 inches, and each with a 5/8-inch eye
2 hexagonal head bolts with nuts, each 1/4 inch by 1 3/4 inches
6 carriage/coach bolts with washers and nuts, each 1/4 inch by 2 3/4 inches
2 carriage/coach bolts with washers and nuts, each 1/2 inch by 5 inches
2 hexagonal head bolts with 4 nuts and 8 washers, each 1/2 inch by 6 inches
1/2-inch-by-8-inch carriage/coach bolt with 2 nuts
3 wheels, each 4 inches by 1 1/2 inches
Hinge
3 angle brackets, each 2 inches by 2 inches

Instructions

Preparation
- 1
  Cut the wood to size. You need two pieces for the runners, each 1 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches by 30 inches; one piece 1 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches by 10 inches for the neck; one piece 1 1/2 inches by 32 inches; and one piece 1 1/3 inches by 1 1/2 inches by 12 inches for the handle bar. Cut the plywood for the deck so it measures 5 3/4 inches by 22 1/2 inches.
- 2
  Drill six holes in the deck: two holes that are 3 inches from the end and 1 1/4 inches from the edges; two holes that are 10 inches from the first hole and 1 1/4 inches from the edge; and two holes that are 8 inches from the second holes and 1 1/4 inch from the edge. The holes need to be 1/4 inch in diameter.
- 3
  Drill holes in the top and sides of the runners.The top is the narrow section of the runner. Drill three holes in the center top of the runner, one hole 6 inches from the end, the second hole 10 inches from the first and the third 8 inches from the second. Drill three holes in the center side of the runners, one hole 1/2 inch from the end, the second 1 1/2 inches from the end and the third 2 inches from the other end.
- 4
  Drill holes in the steering upright. Drill holes in the center front 5 inches from the end and a second hole 5 1/4 inches from the first. Drill holes in the center side, one hole 1 3/16 inches from the end and the others 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inches from the end.
- 5
  Drill 1/2-inch holes in the neck. Drill two holes in the center side that are 1 inch from the end and spaced 1/2 inch from either side. Drill two holes in the center front, the first 1 1/2 inches from the end and the second hole 5 1/4 inches from the first.
Assembly
- 6
  Secure angle brackets to the top sides of the steering upright. The angle irons should extend away from the steering upright. Bolt the handlebar to the top of the steering upright and secure them with nuts.
- 7
  Put the front wheels of the scooter together. Use one of the 1/2 inch bolts as the axle. Thread them through the steering upright and make sure a washer is on either side of the wheel. Use two nuts on the end to secure the wheels in place. Insert eye bolts in the steering upright.
- 8
  Secure the runners to the neck with bolts. Insert eye bolts into the neck, facing away from the center of the scooter. Secure the deck to the runners.
- 9
  Line up the eye bolts of the steering upright and the eye bolts in the neck. Insert a carriage bolt into the eye bolts and secure it with a nut. Secure an angle bracket on the neck and the deck.
- 10
  Assemble the rear wheel. Insert a 1/2-inch bolt through the end of the runners with washers on either side of the wheel and secure it all with nuts on the end. Secure a hinge on the end with the tongue extending out over the read wheel.

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