This step by step diy project is about how to build a wheelbarrow planter. Building a simple planter is a simple project, but most certainly a wooden wheelbarrow would add value to your property and turn it into a focus point for your friends. If you follow the instructions described in this project and use proper materials, anyone can build the planter, as the project required only basic carpentry skills.
Buying proper and durable materials is essential for any woodworking project, therefore we recommend you to select the wooden boards with great care. Choose weather-resistant lumber, such as cedar redwood or pine, as they are resistant to decay and have a beautiful natural finish. Make sure the wooden boards are perfectly straight and in a good condition, before using them for the project.
Use proper tools to build the components, otherwise they might not fit together as planned. If you want to enhance the bond of the joints, you should add glue to the edges of the components. On the other hand, don’t forget that you need to pre-drill the lumber before inserting the wood screws or nails, to prevent the wood from splitting. Cover the wooden surfaces with wood stain, to protect them from decay. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.
Made from this plan
Wooden wheelbarrow
Wooden wheelbarrow planter building plans
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
- Safety gloves, glasses
- Miter saw, jigsaw
- Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
- Drill machinery and drill bits
Tips
- Pre-drill holes in the wooden components, before driving in the screws
- Apply several coats of wood stain
Time
- One day
Related
Building the tray of the wheelbarrow
Wheelbarrow planter components
The first step of the project is to build the wooden components of the tray. In order to get the job done properly, we recommend you to use these wheelbarrow plans. In addition, cut the components from lumber, using a good circular, table or compound saw.
Mark the cut lines on the wooden boards, before making the actual cuts. In addition, take accurate measurements, otherwise the components might not fit together.
Side walls
After cutting the tray’s components, you could try to enhance their look, by making their visible corners round. Therefore, you could a compass or any object with a round shape.
Marking a curved line on the board
Continue the project by enhancing the look of the front and back panels of the wheelbarrow. As you can easily notice in the image, you need to use a pencil to mark the cut line. In order to draw the curved line, you could use a bendable material. Make the cuts with a good jigsaw and smooth the edges with a sanding block.
Drilling pilot holes
Before assembling the tray, you should pre-drill the bottom edges of the components, to prevent the wood from splitting. In order to get the job done as a professional, we recommend you to use a drill machinery and a very small bit.
Attaching the side components
Place the bottom slats on the side components and lock them together tightly with 1 1/2” nails. Ask another person to hold the components into place (lean the sides at about 15º), while you drive in the nails or screws into place.
Installing the front and back walls
Attach the front and the back ends of the wooden wheelbarrow. Therefore, you need to align them into place and drill pilot holes trough the components, along the sides edges.
Installing the wooden wheel
Rounding the edges
Continue the project by installing the wheel and the handles. In order to build the front wheel, you need to glue together several components (we used two layers, but you could glue together as many as you wish).
Getting a perfect round shape is easy, as there are many techniques you could use, such as a round object or a compass. Use a good jigsaw to make the cuts.
Wheelbarrow’s wooden wheels
Add glue to one face of both wheels, as in the image. Spread the the wood glue as evenly as possible, otherwise the components won’t bond together properly.
Clamping the wheels together
Join the components together, align them properly and lock them together tightly with several C-clamps.
Installing the axle
Drill a hole trough the center of the wheels, using a drill machinery and a large drill bit. Afterwards, cut a small piece of 1/” closet rod and fit it inside the channel.
As you probably imagine, you need to apply a significant quantity of wood glue to make sure the axle will be locket into place.
Installing the handles
Building the handles is relatively easy, as you just need to cut two pieces of 2×2 lumber and round one of their ends with a jigsaw. In addition, you could also shape as you wish the other ends of the components.
Marking the axle
Place the wheel over the wooden supports, align it properly and make small marks. If you want to get the job done quickly, you could use U-bolts or saddle clips to secure the axle and the wheel into place.
Drilling holes for axle
Drill pilot holes trough the supports, making sure you hold the drill machinery properly. The drill bit has to be parallel with the cut lines, otherwise the wheel won’t turn properly.
Repeat the process on the opposite side of the wooden wheelbarrow, using the same techniques described above. Work with good judgement, if you want to get a professional result.
Installing the wheel
In order to install the axle and the wheel into place, you need to remove one support from place. Insert the axle inside the holes, align the support into place and drive in the screws.
As you can see in the image, there should be enough room on both sides of the wheel (at least 1/2”), otherwise it won’t be able to turn properly. If you have followed the instructions and used proper materials, the wheel should turn properly. In addition, you could round the ends of the supports, if you want to enhance the look of the planter.
How to build a wooden wheel barrow
Last but not least, you should take care of the final touches. In order to get a neat look, we strongly recommend you to sand the exposed edges with a sanding block and 120-grit sandpaper. In addition, fill the holes with a good wood filler and let it dry out for properly. Smooth the wooden surfaces with a sanding block.
Thank you for reading our article about how to build a wooden wheelbarrow and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets.
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