Decorative children’s cart for parties. Part 1

In this tutorial we fully enter into the manufacture of a decorative children’s cart, in a rustic but casual style, to be exact.

It will consist of two parts. The first, this article, in which we will show step by step how to make the main part of the cart, and how to adapt the Personalized decorative mural that we saw in this other article Rustic decorative mural.

And the second part, in which we will see how to make the wheels, the shot, and how to assemble all the elements.

The top of the pretend wagon is actually a children’s candy table.

This type of decoration is ideal for communions, children’s birthdays, and all kinds of theme parties.

How to make the main body of the children’s cart

The first thing we will have to do is assemble the upper part of the cart, which is where our decorative mural will go.

The wagon platform

Next we are going to explain the whole procedure with the real dimensions that we have used for our decorative children’s cartwhich are 100 cm long, 70 wide, and 1 cm thick.

Therefore, in addition to a plywood board of the aforementioned measurements, we will need 2 pieces of 101 x 15 cm, and another two of 71 x 15 cm, both of the same wood that we have used for the base.

We will put these four pieces in the outline of the main piece, thus achieving a more robust appearance to our cart.

We will make the joints by means of spikes, reinforcing them with lost head tips.

Therefore, we first mark the height and location of the holes.

We carry them out, both on the side pieces and on the base itself.

We apply mounting adhesive to the entire edge. And inside the holes vinyl glue, also known as carpenter’s glue.

We place both the piece and the pins, and introduce the latter with the hammer.

Why use two types of adhesive?

The mounting adhesive provides a stronger bond than vinyl glue. But it is also thicker. Therefore, in joints of wood with a tight section (thickness) and with little margin, as is the case, if we applied it in the drills, when inserting the dowels, the wood could burst. Something that does not happen with vinyl glue.

Next, we reinforce the joint by means of missing head tips, either by nailing them manually, or by using a stapler.

Once this is done, we remove the remaining adhesive with a slightly damp cloth.

We proceed in the same way with the four sides.

Mounting the wall bracket

While the adhesive dries, we are going to assemble the mural support.

To do this, we will join some slats, forming a frame.

The two upper corners will protrude a few centimeters towards the sides, to give a more rustic appearance, which is what we are looking for.

We will make these joints with bolts and barrel nuts.

What are “cannon nuts” and how do they work?

Basically and broadly speaking, this type of joints are made as follows:

One of the strips is drilled on one of its sides, to insert the barrel nut.

In addition, that same strip must be drilled through the head, perpendicular to the previous hole, making both holes cross.

And finally, drill the other piece to join.

In this way, we introduce the nut in its location, and we introduce the screw through both parts, until it comes into contact with the nut, at which time we thread it.

These joints are among the most robust of those used in wood. We are referring to mechanical joints, and not to assemblies.

As it is somewhat complicated to explain this procedure with words, I advise you to watch the explanatory video that accompanies this article, and that you can find below.

Adapting the frame for the decorative mural

Once the frame is made, we will make some holes in the upper rail, to put some rings and thus be able to hang the mural at the time.

To finish this step, we join the frame to the base of the children’s cart, with some lag screws.

And, finally, we remove the excess, if any, with the jigsaw.

Protecting and decorating wood

Finally, we will give the wood a coat of dekor lasur in the color wenge.

With this we get, in one fell swoop, to protect and hydrate the wood, dye it, and enhance the beauty of the grain.

As the cart is for indoors and will not be exposed, one hand will suffice.

As we did in the previous tutorial, with the rope, we will use Cedria water lasur.

This dark tone, which we use to achieve a rustic style, will later be combined with other lighter ones, also lasur, thus printing a more fun and casual look. Let’s not forget that it is children’s decoration.

finishing the job

Once the lasur is dry, all we have to do is hang the mural from the frame we just made. Which we will do through the rings that we had installed and some shackles.

Explanatory video to make a children’s cart

Being able to transmit experiences and knowledge 100%, explaining the entire procedure clearly and concisely, is not easy. Moreover, I assure you that it is super difficult. For this reason, whenever circumstances allow it, we try to accompany all our tutorials with an explanatory video, much clearer and more explicit than the words themselves.

Very well, we have finished the upper part of the children’s cart with our personalized decorative mural.

As you can see in the photo on the right, which we leave as a preview, in the next tutorial we will see how to make the rest of the cart, including the wheels, and the tire.

A note before finishing. Just clarify that the wheels are not a mere decoration. Each one has two bearings or bearings, so that they rotate in a spectacular way.

If you don’t want to miss how we will do it, stay tuned. Or better yet, subscribe to our YouTube channel or blog, and you’ll be notified.

I hope you had fun as we did. See you soon.

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