TRACTOR CAB

Trucks move America. They haul everything from raw

materials to finished goods in flatbeds and tankers. Two types
of trucks provide the power to pull these trailers—the tractor
cab and cab-over-engine, which follows this project.
Most of the parts of this truck are interchangeable with the
parts for the cab-over-engine truck, so it’s easy to build both
at the same time. Also, the trailers that follow can be hauled
by either style of cab. The main differences between the
trucks are the sizes of the chassis and engines.
The design of this truck is simple and straightforward, with
a sense of realism. And, by making the base of the truck a
little longer, you can make a variety of intermediate trucks.

52

Wooden Toys-I.indd 52 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

53

Wooden Toys-I.indd 53 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 TRACTOR CAB

base detail
top view

Side view
54

Wooden Toys-I.indd 54 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

top view

front view
exhaust stack detail

55

Wooden Toys-I.indd 55 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 TRACTOR CAB

wheel detail

fender detail

trailer hitch

front view side view

light block detail

56

Wooden Toys-I.indd 56 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

step detail

front bumper detail

PROCEDURE diameter exhaust stack holes After the glue dries, sand the block
as indicated. Finish the base square and transfer the cab pattern
assembly by drilling the 5/16"- to it. Cut out the cab using a band-
1. BASE
diameter axle holes through the saw, scroll saw, or coping saw.
Cut the base (A) to shape as
axle holders (E, F), then gluing
shown. If you’re making a longer NOTE: Most hole saws will not
and clamping them to the base.
truck for a customized design, cut through the 3"-thick stock.
continue to use the same wheel
cutout configuration at the rear of 2. CAB Drill a 1/4"-diameter hole for
the base. Glue and clamp together four the steering column (L); then
After cutting out the rear pieces of 3/4" × 3-1/4" × 4-1/4" insert the steering column into the
wheel notches, drill the 3/8"- stock to form the cab block (B). hole, but don’t glue it in place yet.
57

Wooden Toys-I.indd 57 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 TRACTOR CAB
(The steering wheel will be added 5. WHEELS 8. ROOF LIGHTS
later.) Finally, glue and clamp the Make the wheels (G) with a Drill three 1/4"-diameter holes in
cab to the chassis and check the 2-1/8"-diameter hole saw. Before a 1/2" × 3/4" × 2" piece of stock
steering column to make sure it you cut them out of the stock, as shown. Cut the stock in two
still turns. Set the assembly aside. use a 1-1/2"-diameter hole saw to to form the light holders (N).
make a 1/16"-deep kerf to define (Save one of the holders for
the rim and tire. Next, cut out the another truck.) Next, glue the
3. ENGINE
wheels using the larger hole saw; 1/4"-diameter lights (O) into
Glue four pieces of 3/4" stock to
then mount them on an arbor place; then glue and clamp the
form a 3" × 2-1/2" × 3" block for
and sand them. Assemble the light block assembly to the roof.
the engine (C). Sand the block
wheels and axles (H) to the truck
square after the glue dries; then
assembly with glue.
round off the edges according to 9. STEP
While the hole saw is set up,
the plans. Make the step (Q) according to
cut out the 1-1/4"-diameter
Using a bandsaw or scroll saw, the drawings. Cut 3/4" stock to
steering wheel (K) from 1/4"
form the outline of the grill by width, then crosscut it to length.
stock with a 1-3/8"-diameter hole
making a 1/8"-deep saw kerf 1/2" Chamfer the ends and sand the
saw. Sand the steering wheel and
from the front of the engine. Next, piece. Glue and clamp the step to
glue it in place.
drill the 3/4"-diameter holes for the truck assembly.
the headlights; then glue the lights
in place. Finally, glue and clamp 6. TRAILER HITCH
the engine to the chassis. After the Cut the trailer hitch (I) to size 10. FRONT BUMPER
glue dries, power-sand the sides of according to the list of materials. The easiest way to make the front
the truck flush. Drill the 7/16"-diameter hole bumper (P) is to form a 3/4" ×
as indicated in the plans; then 1-1/4" × 4-1/2" block of stock with
power-sand the bevel on the top. the proper profile. Next, cut the
4. FENDERS block into 1/4"-thick pieces. (Save
Glue and clamp the hitch to the
Cut the stock for the extra bumpers for other trucks.)
truck assembly.
fenders (D) to size. Then use a Glue the bumper in place.
2-1/2"-diameter hole saw and
cut the circular profile as shown. 7. EXHAUST STACKS Your tractor truck is now
Round off the top and front The exhaust stacks (J) are complete and ready for a trailer.
outside edges. composed of two parts—a 3/4" Roll on to the trailer section
dowel and a 3/8" dowel. First, drill and build the kind of trailer (or
NOTE: There is a right and a 3/8" hole through the length of trailers) you want.
left fender, and they are not the 3/4" dowel. To do this, make
interchangeable. Be sure to mark sure the 3/4" dowel is securely
the edges you’re going to round. clamped to the drill press table.
Glue and clamp the fenders Next, glue the 3/8" dowels into
to the truck assembly flush with place. For a realistic touch, add
the front. ventilation holes by drilling a
series of 1/8"-diameter holes on
each stack.

58

Wooden Toys-I.indd 58 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

MATERIALS

Dimensions
Part Description Pieces
(finished dimensions in inches)

A Base 1 3/4 × 3 × 9-1/2

B Cab 1 3 × 3-1/4 × 4-1/4

C Engine 1 3 × 2-1/2 × 3

D Fenders 2 3/4 × 2-1/2 × 3-5/8

E Front axle holder 1 3/4 × 1-1/2 × 3

F Rear axle holder 1 3/4 × 1-1/2 × 1-1/2

G Wheels 6 2 dia. × 3/4

H Axles 2 1/4 dia. × 4-5/8

I Trailer hitch 1 3/4 × 1-1/2 × 2

J Exhaust stacks 2 3/4 dia. × 3

2 3/8 dia. × 5-1/4

K Steering wheel 1 1-1/4 dia. × 1/4

L Steering column 1 1/4 dia. × 2-1/2

M Headlights 2 3/4 dia. × 1/2

N Roof light holder 1 3/8 × 1/2 × 2

O Roof lights 3 1/4 dia. × 1/2

P Front bumper 1 1/4 × 1-1/4 × 4-1/2

Q Step 1 3/4 × 2 × 4-1/2

CONSTRUCTION NOTES
1. There are two fenders (D), left and right. Double-check the 2. The radiator on the engine (C) is formed by a thin saw kerf.
position of the fender on the chassis before rounding.

59

Wooden Toys-I.indd 59 9/17/09 1:25 PM

 BIPLANE

The Stearman Trainer Biplane was the standard training

plane for the Air Force and Navy prior to and during World
War II. Because the original color of the plane was yellow and
so many students scared so many instructors during training
flights, the aircraft picked up the nickname Yellow Peril.
This biplane design is generic and uses only the general
features of the Stearman Trainer. Since special construction
techniques are required for this toy, read all the instructions
before making any cuts. Also, it’s quite easy to make more
than one of these planes at a time.
Here is the flight plan for the biplane.

82

Wooden Toys-I.indd 82 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

ONE SQUARE = 1/2"

83

Wooden Toys-I.indd 83 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 BIPLANE

TOP VIEW

WING DETAIL

WHEEL STRUT BLOCK DETAIL

84

Wooden Toys-I.indd 84 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

FRONT VIEW

85

Wooden Toys-I.indd 85 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 BIPLANE

DETAIL A
MARK OFF LINES EVERY 45°
DRILL 7/16"-DIA. × 1/4"-DEEP
HOLES FOR CYLINDER HEADS

DETAIL B
DIVIDE THE 45° ANGLES
MARK 1/8" ON EACH SIDE OF LINE
DRAW A 1-5/8" CIRCLE
CONNECT MARKS TO INTERSECTION

86

Wooden Toys-I.indd 86 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

PROCEDURE Glue and clamp the lower wing 2-3/4"-diameter circle; then
(C) to the fuselage. As­semble the draw lines from the center of
upper wing (B) to the fuselage the circle to the circumference
1. FUSELAGE
with the wing struts (L). Sand the every 45°. These lines locate
Glue and clamp three pieces of
wing struts flush with the wings; the centers of the cylinders.
3/4" × 2-1/2" × 11" stock to form the
set the assembly aside. Next, draw a 1-5/8"-diameter
fuselage block. If making more than
circle and bisect each of the
one plane, allow about 11" length
45° angles with another line
for each fuselage. Cut the block to 3. HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL TAILS
Make a cardboard template as in to the outside circumference.
finished dimensions; then draw the
the previous step and trans­fer the Mark 1/8" on each side of these
top and side profiles on it.
design to 3/4" stock. Cut out the bisection marks and connect them
Cut out the wing notch on the
contours with a bandsaw or scroll to the 1-5/8"-diameter circle (see
bottom and the rear tail notches.
saw; sand the edges smooth. Resaw detail in the plans).
Taper the sides of the fuselage
the stock to yield 1/4"-thick parts. Now it’s time to start ma­
with a scroll saw or bandsaw. Tape
Glue and clamp the hori­zontal chining. Use a scroll saw or
back the scrap pieces. Place the
tail (D) to the fuselage; then glue bandsaw to cut the block round.
fuselage on its side and cut the
and clamp the verti­cal tail (E) in Sand the edge smooth; then drill
side profile.
place. Set the as­sembly aside. the 7/16"-diameter cylinder holes
Finally, with a rasp or power
1/4" deep. After drilling the holes,
sander, round off the edges of the
form the pis­tons with a scroll saw
fuselage; then bevel the nose. 4. ENGINE or bandsaw (see Fig. 1).
Set the fuselage aside. Glue and clamp two pieces of Finish the engine block by
stock to form a 1-1/2"-thick piece. chamfering the edges with a
2. WINGS Next, resaw the stock to a 1-1/4" power sander or rasp. Glue
Make the upper and lower wings thickness. With a compass and the cylinder heads (G) into
(B, C) at the same time. Begin with straightedge, draw the outside place; then set the engine
a piece of stock at least 3/4" thick circumfer­ence of the block and block aside.
and 13-1/2" long. The proper width locate the piston and cylinder
of the wings is determined by the posi­tions. To do this, draw a
notch already cut on the fuse­lage.
Remove the excess width of the
wing stock until it fits the notch.
Lay out the location of the wing
strut holes and drill them with a
5/16"-diameter drill bit. Resaw
the stock into two 3/8"-thick wing
blanks. Form the round contour
on the wing tips as shown; then
sand the tips smooth.

Fig. 1. Cut out the wedges in

the en­gine block to create the
cylinders. Make the cuts with
a bandsaw or scroll saw.
87

Wooden Toys-I.indd 87 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 BIPLANE
5. PROPELLER
Lay out the profile of the pro­peller
(H) on a piece of 1/4" plywood
or clear stock. Drill the 5/16"-
diameter shaft hole in the center
of the piece; then cut out the
propeller with a scroll saw. Sand
the edges smooth.
Drill a 1/4"-diameter hole into
the end of a length of 1/2" dowel
stock to make the pro­peller hub
( J). Cut the hub to length; cut and
glue the pro­peller shaft (K) into
the hub.
Fig. 2. With the ta­ble tilted
With a 1-3/4" diameter hole 30°, secure the wheel strut in
saw, cut a 1-5/8"-diameter blank a V-block to drill the axle hole.
from 1/8"-thick stock to make the
propeller spacer (I). Glue and clamp Make a V-block to hold round 8. FINAL TOUCHES
the spacer to the engine block. stock, and drill the 5/16"-diameter To finish, put the tail skag (Q) on
To assemble the engine and the axle holes in the wheel struts (N) the plane; its location and angle
propeller parts to the fuselage, at 30° (see Fig. 2). After drilling the are not critical. Drill the 5/16"-
glue the engine block to the holes, glue the struts into the wheel diameter holes and glue the skag
fuselage assembly. The spacer has strut block, using the axle to keep in place.
a 1/4"-diameter hole that can be the struts aligned. When the glue If painting is your finishing
used as a guide for drilling the dries, sand any excess strut sticking choice, paint the entire air­craft
propeller shaft hole through the through the block. Glue and clamp yellow, engine and tires flat black,
engine and into the fuselage. Use the block to the fuselage. and the propeller silver. Make
a 1/4"-diameter drill bit and make insignias out of contact paper and
the hole according to the plans. vinyl lettering.
7. WHEELS
Glue the propeller shaft and
propeller into place, being careful With a 1-1/2"-diameter hole
not to get glue on the propeller. saw, make 1/8"-deep kerfs
on 1/2"-thick stock. Use a
2-1/8"-diameter hole saw to
6. WHEEL STRUT ASSEMBLY cut out the wheels; sand them
This plane has a wheel strut block smooth; glue the wheels and the
that goes under the fu­selage. To axle to the struts.
fabricate the piece, cut stock to
the proper length and width. Set
up a drill press to drill holes in
the block at a 30° angle as shown.
After drill­ing the holes, form the
contours by tapering the sides 30°
and the trailing edge 45°. Round
the bottom front edge with a
power sander or a rasp to contour.

88

Wooden Toys-I.indd 88 9/17/09 1:26 PM

 Great Book of Wooden Toys

MATERIALS

Dimensions
Part Description Pieces
(finished dimensions in inches)

A Fuselage 1 2-1/4 × 2-1/2 × 10

B Upper wing 1 3/8 × 3 × 13-1/2

C Lower wing 1 3/8 × 3 × 11-1/2

D Horizontal tail 1 1/4 × 2-1/2 × 6-1/4

E Vertical tail 1 1/4 × 2-1/2 × 3-5/8

F Engine block 1 2-3/4 dia. × 1-1/4

G Engine cylinder heads 8 7/16 dia. × 1/2

H Propeller 1 1/4 × 1 × 6-1/2

I Propeller spacer 1 1-5/8 dia. × 1/8

J Propeller hub 1 1/2 dia. × 1/2

K Propeller shaft 1 1/4 dia. × 2-3/4

L Wing struts 4 5/16 dia. × 3-1/2

M Wheel strut block 1 3/4 × 1-1/2 × 3-1/2

N Wheel struts 2 1/2 dia. × 3

O Wheels 2 2 dia. × 1/2

P Wheel axle (not shown) 1 1/4 dia. × 5

Q Tail skag 1 5/16 dia. × 1-1/2

89

Wooden Toys-I.indd 89 9/17/09 1:26 PM