How To Make a Wagon Out of Wood

How to build and make a sturdy toy wagon from scratch. A step-by-step guide with plenty of information on how to build your own.

[@umatter2God]

he's lucky to have a grandpa like you. God bless you and thank you for this video.

[@bothylad1]

The thought that has gone into the design of this wagon is excellent. You have built a practical toy that will I'm sure become a family heirloom. This will definitely be a project for my great grandchildren. Thank you.

[@beerdrinker6452]

You are a great person and great grandfather!

[@NeilIves]

You did a great job! I think this wagon will end up being played with by many later generations

[@alcorazon508]

Thank you so much for your response. Yes the front truck looks challenging. Im hoping to make mine a bit larger , for utility purposes using this design

[@maidayjeen6919]

What a great grampa your are. Now I will try to make this for my son. Thank you for great video.

[@rams1942]

Super wagon and very nice video. Answered many questions about how to build the wagon I am working on. Thanks for sharing Richard

[@TREVONTO]

A very good descriptive video and an excellent build. You have given me inspiration to have a go myself. We have difficulty obtaining hardwoods so I may have to resort to using exterior grade ply. Thanks again.

[@guyward5137]

Nice looking wagon. Should last a lifetime

[@alicanka]

I have just made a similar one this week with the video , thank you for the intructions they r realy helpfull.

[@timsullivan4869]

I wish I could upload a picture or video of mine. Thanks for the inspiration

[@leydastaton7542]

Thank You for the great video and information. Again Thank You

[@jshaules]

Hello, and thanks. The washers are 1/2" X 2-1/4" steel washers that I bought at MFG Supply on line. They worked great and are extremely solid, much thicker and wider than the fender washer that you can buy at home depot. The added width gave the front truck a more solid base to turn on since that is the only contact point of the truck on the body.

[@aligned4good]

Nicely done! Thank you for sharing this beautiful build!

[@jshaules]

Hi! Thank you for the compliment. At 9:31 you can see that there is a washer against the wheel with a cotter pin in the end of the axle. This cotter pin is later covered up with an axle cap nut.

[@BeachsideHank]

It's a solid, heirloom- quality build, but learn from his mistakes, namely have ALL parts on hand before you design and build, so you don't have to re- engineer midstream.☺

[@alexandrehamann2002]

Nice Job with clear instructions.

[@jshaules]

Thanks for the nice comments. If you use ext plywood you will probably want to modify the design of the truck where the axle sits because the outer laminations of ext plywood are not of good quality or sturdy wood. You may want to double it up or use hardwood just for that, or perhaps use a metal channel attached to the wood. Good luck!

[@carrysmith2008]

i love ur video n the wagon,,im making a wagon to be used as a beach caddy,,,,,ur video was very helpfull,,THANK U,

[@caesarrodriguez4755]

Solid design!very nice!

[@jshaules]

It cost about two times in materials what a cheap metal wagon costs. But the wagon is a favorite and will last for years. The hardest part was designing the front truck so that it would be sturdy and reliable.

[@nore8141]

That is one cool 😎 project ❤❤❤

[@dagwoodification]

This might save someone some trouble. A solid steel axle 1/2" in diameter will not go in a 1/2" bearing, but a THREADED 1/2"axle will!

[@dagwoodification]

Beautiful work! I don't understand what keeps the wheels from coming off the axle, and is there some kind of cap or cover available for the axle ends? Thank you.

[@jshaules]

The washers are 1/2" X 2-1/4" steel washers that I bought at MFG Supply on line.

[@philstat100]

Thank You for the great video and valuable information, I shall make one. Could you tell me the correct name of that black washer that you say rotates the washer? Any help would be great. Again Thank You.

[@jshaules]

Right! and the guy running the belt sander at 5:04

[@franchescoli1904]

Hi love the video. Good tips to build one. Can u tell me where did u get that rotating washer I couldnt find it anywere or u made it.

[@wawellsiii]

Beautiful build! Could you please advise where you obtained the 1/2" wheel bearings?

[@jshaules]

Hello! Look for Part #: 17-1189, 1/2" X 2-1/4" Steel Washer.

[@juarezrt]

That's a good looking wagon. What kind of washer did you use for the front truck?

[@kosinskiarek]

Exactly what I was looking for. I already how those wheels. But what I didn't get out of the video is the bearing that you used for the wheels. Can you provide more details, where you got it, size and how you installed it in the wheel? Thanks!!!

[@PGAmaboy]

Arek Kosinski If you look through the earlier comments you can see the info on the bearings and where to buy them. They just easily fit into place.

[@jshaules]

Hello. The 5/8" wheel bearings that came with the wheel have an outside diameter of 1 3/8". They can be replaced with 1/2" replacement bearings to fit a smaller axle. I bought them (part #8222) at gokartgalaxy [with .com] But you can just do a google search for "Flanged ball bearings 1 3/8" OD 1/2" ID". Remember you need two per wheel. Have fun!

[@jorgepluas1096]

awesome ...and very crafty...great job!!!!!!

[@kycornbread6990]

Grandpa did real good

[@keithsprague5300]

awsome craftmenship keep on keeping on

[@alcorazon508]

Great Build! How much did it cost to build the wagon If you don't mind me asking?

[@BrainToMush]

Excellent design, but isn't it unnecessarily complex? I would think all you needs is two swivel casters on the front and two nom swivel casters on the back. Done.

[@deumesse]

I guess that's fine if you want hard wheels and a consequently bumpy ride.

[@ptho954]

This is really well done. Do you still do woodworking?

[@umatter2God]

Hi, I'd like to know where you got the part that pivots and what's the official name for it?? i'm seriously going to make this with my husband. Thank you for your time and posting this.

[@OneOfCreation]

The design for the wagon is excellent. I can imagine a happy Diego and a proud Grampa. One question: On the front truck, there is comment that the board supporting the axle is 5 1/2". Since this board sits on what looks like 3/4" piece... should the height not be 4 3/4"? Thanks for any clarification

[@jshaules]

OneOfCreation Hi. Thanks for the nice comment. You are almost right. What is important is that the front and rear axle be the same height measured from the bottom of the bed. The rear axle is in fact mounted on a 5 1/2" high board (see 1'49"). The front truck, on the other hand has the tongue and pivot mechanism between the axle and bottom of the bed. So once you design the tongue and pivot with its various washers, you'll just need to measure how high the front axle board needs to be in order to be the same height as the rear one. But it will be less than 4 3/4".

[@OneOfCreation]

Thanks much for the clarification. Hoping to follow much of this design to make one for my grandson Leo for Christmas. Pretty sure he'll love it.

[@edintosh]

Good job grandpa

[@dagwoodification]

J.S., I'm well along building the wagon, but the 1/2" steel axle doesn't want to go into the 1/2" bearing hole. I'm afraid to force it. Any advice?

[@groovetunes]

Hi, Can you tell me where you got the rotating washers as I have been unable to find anything like them. Thanks

[@prophetshrek]

Great job

[@dalekerrigan6878]

Hi. The wheels are from Harbor Freight!

[@chadsteele5673]

How much in materials is that? Could almost buy one cheaper. Not all of us have the tools to make the cuts you got or a router...did the steel come precut to your measurements? Or did you have to make cuts for that too? It's a good lookin wagon, don't get me wrong but by the time I buy all the tools, wood and steel, wheels, etc...It's cheaper just to buy a decked out radio flyer.

[@franchescoli1904]

Yeah its probably cheaper. U can tell this guy is a builder he already has all the tools. For an average person is not a good idea. Everything in life is an investment.

[@kittyfishburn5193]

Thanks for the info

[@jshaules]

Thanks for the info!

[@michaelsherron7815]

I just came across your video about a day ago and being encouraged by my wife, I want to build this according to your specs, so if you are available for answers to my questions, I am thankful in advance. :) How do you change out the bearings from 5/8 to 1/2"?

[@jshaules]

Hello. The bearing is a press fit. It is not difficult to remove and put in the replacement bearing. Good luck.

[@michaelsherron7815]

@@jshaules Thanks!

[@albertoavila7151]

Do you work with metal ?

[@cmullins463]

can you pease send me the link where I can find the rotaing washers at I searched the website you said but can not find them please send me the weblink for theses washers

[@charronfamilyconnect]

Where do you get the wheel components? Thanks!

[@kittyfishburn5193]

Where did you get the wheels from

[@smartmedia9]

Thank you.

[@jshaules]

ยินดี, you're welcome....

[@Bellepepperr]

that's awesome!

[@eragadindlavishwanatheraga18]

Sir iam Viswanath E you make 3wheel bike paidal

[@gailvermillion19]

can anyone give me the length of three boards on the truck and the angles I need to cut on two top boards??

[@BillPrince]

π...? :-)

[@philstat100]

I never got the information about that black washer that rotates. I can't find any information online. Anyone out there that can help me? I would love to find and use them. Any help would be great. Thank You.

[@JamieShaules]

Philip, I apologize for the delay. The supplier who sold them to me no longer carries them. However, any thick fender washer that will fit the shaft will be just fine. The company Fastenal carries several types, and even the Home Depot also carries some stainless steel large fender washers.

[@dennyreyna3941]

@jshaules, how much did it cost you to get all the metal pieces

[@jshaules]

Hello. . . I'm sorry, but I don't remember. It's quite sturdy and still runs quite well afer 4 years. No breakage or failures!

[@alecshapiro]

Where can I get a set of wheels like that?

[@danashaules]

You buy them at Harbor Freight.

[@shaneburnamann7607]

amazing

[@semperfitt356]

7:42, what kind of joint is this called? Is the whole wagon oak? Thanks

[@PGAmaboy]

Semper fi Just a guess that would be a mortise and tenon joint. All of the wood is white oak.

[@semperfitt356]

thanks

[@DoodlePop]

awsome!

[@Swof99]

nice

[@groovetunes]

Oh, I see you already answered that. lol.

[@romaineathey6512]

Make it wooden with the help of the Woodglut instructions.

[@vadymvolodko7252]

I've heard good feedback about the Woodglut plans.

[@starrstewart7083]

I will try to do it with Woodprix plans.

[@jaromejacksan6934]

You'll find all the inspiration you need on woodglut instructions.