Wheelbarrow planter plans

This step by step diy article is about wheelbarrow planter plans. Building a small wooden wheelbarrow is a great project for your garden, as it will enhance the look of any patio or deck, while not having to spend a great deal of money. Moreover, the beast part about this project is that anyone can get the job done, as it only requires basic tools, carpentry techniques and materials.

In order to get a professional result, you need to pay attention to a few aspects. First of all, you need to buy weather-resistant materials, if you will place the planter outside. On one hand you could buy cheap lumber and treat it with appropriate products, or you could buy lumber with a natural protection to water (cedar, redwood). Irrespective of you choice, make sure you check if the boards are in a proper condition (straight, without knots, wanes or other visible imperfections).

On the other hand, you need to use the right carpentry techniques to build the wheelbarrow accurately. Therefore, make sure you align all the components before driving in the screws and also drill pilot holes, to prevent the wood from splitting. Moreover, add wood glue to the edges of the components to increase the rigidity of the structure. On the other hand, don’t forget to sand the exposed edges with a sand-block or using a router and a 1/4” bit. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

 

Made from this plan

DIY-Wheelbarrow-PlanterDIY-Wooden-WheelbarrowAdd-Image

 

 

Materials

  • A – 2 pieces of 1×10 lumber – 16” BOTTOM 
  • B – 2 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 23” long, both sides cut at 15º SIDE WALLS
  • C – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 19” long, both sides cut at 15º FRONT AND BACK WALLS
  • D – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 48” long HANDLES
  • E – 1/2” circular wooden – 5” long AXLE
  • F – 2 piece of 1×6 lumber, 2 1/2” radius WHEEL
  • G – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 10” long SUPPORTS

Tools

Tips

  • Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
  • Round the exposed edges with a router and a 1/4” bit

Time

  • One weekend

 

 

Wooden wheelbarrow planter building plans

Wooden wheelbarrow planter building plans

Wooden wheelbarrow planter building plans

 

Building a wooden wheelbarrow is a great project for your garden, as it requires a small investment, basic woodworking skills and proper plans. Gather all the tools and materials before starting the project, if you want to get a professional result.

Smart Tip: As you can easily notice in the image, you need to round the top corners of the side components, in order to enhance the look o the wheelbarrow. Use a sand-block to smooth the edges of the components or round them with a router.

 

 

Wheelbarrow planter plans

Wheelbarrow planter parts

Wheelbarrow planter parts

 

Before beginning the actual assembly of the wooden wheelbarrow, we recommend you to gather all the tools and materials required for the job. Therefore, you should use the plans and cut all the components from the right materials. Afterwards, you should check if the cuts are accurate and make the necessary corrections.

Work with great care and attention, if you want to obtain a professional result. Use a good circular saw with a sharp blade to make the cuts.

 

Base of the wheelbarrow

Base of the wheelbarrow

 

The first step of the project is to build the base of the wheelbarrow. In order to get the job done quickly, we recommend you to use  two 1×10 boards, but you can get the job done as well by using the 1×4 slats. You don’t need to lock the boards together with slats, but you could add wood glue to the joint, to enhance their bond.

Use a circular saw to make the cuts, but work with attention, as you need to get them straight.

 

Installing the side walls

Installing the side walls

 

Next, you need to attach the side components of the wheelbarrow, as in the image. As you can see in the plans, you need to cut the base of the walls at about 15º, as to fit into place perfectly. If you don’t have a circular or a table saw, you can install them with making the bevel cuts, but it won’t look as neat.

Drill pilot holes trough the base of the wheelbarrow and insert the 1 1/4” nails. Make sure you align the side components, before driving in the screws.

 

Fitting the front and the back walls

Fitting the front and the back walls

 

Continue the woodworking project by installing the front and the back components. In order to fit into place properly, you need to cut the sides of the components at about 15º. Don’t forget to round the top corners of the walls, as to enhance the look of the wheelbarrow.

Drill pilot holes trough the components, align them and drive in the 1 1/4” nails and screws. Add wood glue to the edges to enhance the bond of the joints.

 

Fitting the handles

Fitting the handles

 

Next, you need to attach the wooden handles to the wheelbarrow. As you can easily notice in the plans, you should turn the box upside down, as to insert the screw properly. Align the handles, using our free plans, drill pilot holes and drive in the 2” screws. Insert about 3 screws in each handle, as to increase the rigidity of the structure.

Leave enough space between the handles, as we need to fit the front wheel. If you are going to use two layers of 1×6 lumber or 2×6 lumber, leave about 2”.

 

Cutting the wheel

Cutting the wheel

 

In order to build the front wheel, you should cut it out from 1×6 lumber (glue together two layers) or 2×6 lumber. In order to draw the circle, you could use a compass or improvise a little. Lock a small strip of wood to the center of board and use a carpentry pencil to mark the cut lines.

Use a jigsaw with an appropriate blade to make the cuts. Work with great attention, making sure the blade of the saw goes exactly the cut line.

 

Installing the front wheel

Installing the front wheel

 

After cutting out the front wheel, we recommend you to install it into place. Nevertheless, there are several options to choose from. On one hand you could drill holes trough the braces, insert the axle and lock it to the braces with screws.

Smart Tip: Alternatively, you could secure the axle underneath the brace using saddle clips or U-bolts. In this case, you have to glue the wheel to the axle before installing the components to the wooden braces.

 

Installing the supports

Installing the supports

 

One of the last steps of project is to fit the supports to the wheelbarrow and to secure them into place with 2” wood screws. Cut the support to the right size (the larger the supports, the steeper the angle of the wheelbarrow) and attach it to the handles, as in the image.

Drill pilot holes trough the supports and drive in the 2” screws. Make sure you countersink the head of the screws, if you want to get a professional result.

 

Wheelbarrow planter plans

Wheelbarrow planter plans

 

Last but not least, you should take care of the finishing touches. First of all, you need to check if the nails or screws are inserted properly. Next, fill the holes with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Sand the surface with medium-grit along the wood grain.

Smart Tip: Vacuum the residues and stain the wheelbarrow to the desired finish. Place a few pots in the wheelbarrow and enjoy your rustic planter.

 


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Thank you for reading our article about wheelbarrow planter plans and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to share this project with our friends, by using the social media widgets, if you have found it useful.




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  1. julie graybill
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