How I made a toy Tractor inspired by the Porsche-Diesel Super Tractor. I like this design as it can be abstracted to a very simple form; a body, a rear axel, and four wheels. I start by making the body from a pattern I drew, this is made from a piece of cherry wood I salvaged from an urban tree. I joint and plane this piece on my old Porter jointer and Powermatic 180 planer. I cut out the shape for the body first on a Powermatic 141 band saw than a Powermatic 95 scroll saw for the finer work. Then I sand everything first with a Max 24 inch disc sander then a Mead 1 inch belt sander. I made the wheels by first cutting up a piece of walnut I also salvaged from an urban tree. I cut this on my 36 inch J. A. Fay & Egan Co. Band saw, with 1 inch wide blade. i love this saw more every time I use it.
I made the two big wheels in a set of 4 and the two smaller wheels in a set of 2. I turn the axel housing and cut a flat spot in it where it can be glued to the body of the tractor. The wood for the axels I salvaged from an old crib I had taken apart, they are 5/8 inches in diameter. The finish I use is a mix of linseed oil and beeswax. This is very safe and has a nice flat finish. when the glue had dried the kids get a chance to play.
