Make an Eco Friendly Wild and Wheelie Wooden Roller Elephant

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
Project Image
Project Details

This Elephant is animal number 2 of 6 animal creatures we will do, and each is incredibly easy with the print to scale templates I am including.  Just right click, save to computer or send straight to print.  You will print this at full scale, Letter Sized Paper, set for landscape as the direction.  Easy Peasy... Plans for the Turtle we covered already are here. This series of Wild and Wheelie animals is inspired by (allegedly) the Land of Nod Wile and Wheelie Toys, and sell for $32 each retail...crazy considering this is closer to a $5 or $7 cost to build if you purchase one board a 1x12 and several wheels (or make them yourself for pennies on the dollar) along with sample size Low or No VOC paint containers... These should be fairly easy to whip out. All that is required is a jig saw and a drill, which can be purchased very inexpensively for around $30 and the jig saw can also be used for straight and angled cuts as well. A very convenient tool to have around if you don't have hundreds to invest in power tool items or if you typically have your local lumber supply cut your boards for you..you may need to make "adjustments" at some time or another.

Showcase: Built From These Plans
I am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!

Estimated Cost

Under $25

Tools
  • Tape Measure
  • Sander
  • Drill
  • Jig Saw
Lumber

1 - 1x12 at 6' - for animal and wheels if you choose to make your own1 - 1/2" at 1' Dowel rod - or approximately equal to the hole to be found on your wooden wheels. You can choose dowel pegs used for dowel joinery if they suit your wheel hole diameter and are the appropriate length you need.

Materials
  • Drill bit 3/8" or 1/8" larger in diameter than the dowel or pegs you plan to use for your wheels. If you choose some like shown in the link below, with a 1/4" hole, a 3/8" drill bit is perfectly sized.
  • Purchase 1/4" dowels.
  • 2 Wooden Wheels (can be made by hand) or one package with a pair, I recommend some like these and sized approximately 2" in diameter.
  • Wood Glue
  • Wood Filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Finishing Supplies - This should be non toxic paint, Low VOC or Water Based Dyes only...
Cut List
  • 1 - 1x12 at 8 1/2"
  • 2 - Dowel rods at 2 1/4"
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Right Click on this template and either Save to Computer or Send to print. You will want to print this on letter sized paper at full scale, with landscape orientation. The image is appropriately sized, so you should be able to simply send to print and choose the proper paper size and direction, and away you go. You will want to cut the shape of this little cutey elephant and cut out the inner handle area out as well. Set on top of your 1x12 piece and trace the shape using a pencil.

Step 1
Step 2

Using your Jig Saw, simply carve around the shape. To create the handle area you should begin by drilling several pilot holes using a larger drill bit size, at least large enough to fit your jig saw blade into, then carve out that shape as well.

Step 2
Step 3

Sand your elephant well inside each and every curve and crevice, you want this as soft and smooth as possible. Once you have done that, use your drill bit to create the dowel peg holes in the feet of your turtle. The hole should be slightly larger than the dowel pegs themselves to allow for movement (rolling). Insert the dowel peg into the hole and add a touch of glue to the very ends (tips) of the dowel pegs. Push the wooden wheels onto the ends on either side and make sure the fit is snug. Quickly wipe away excess glue that leaks out and continue to watch for that. Allow the glue to set up and fill with wood filler and give the area a good sanding. Note: The glue is only used to fasten the dowel pegs to the wheels, and no glue should be on the interior near where the pegs go through the elephant feet, this will keep it from moving and rolling properly.

Step 3
Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

Comments and Discussion