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Charlie's Scooter

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Difficulty
Intermediate
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Make this cute rocking scooter!!! It's DIY and you can do it! Free plans!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

If you are a mom like most of the Mom's I know, you are hoping for a gift that makes you more of a mom.  

Am I right?  

You want a new drill to build your kids picnic tables.

You want a palm sander to get rid of any slivers.

You want a new vacuum so your house is cleaner.

You want a new bicycle so you can keep up with the kids, and get a little exercise and be in a better mood for your family.

This is why I have so much respect and appreciation for other moms.

The other day, I was talking to a woman with four children.  And she kept telling me she didn't have time to fix her hair or really get dressed with so much going on, and I did not know how to tell her that I know.   I know when your hair isn't done, it's because your four kid's hair IS done.  When you aren't dressed, it's because your four kids ARE.  

This is why when moms build projects, I am so much more impressed.  Because I know what it's like to try and work on anything with children at home.  So you probably can't imagine how amazed I was by what Charlie's mom built her.

Okay to be fair to the scooter, we need a photo without her adorableness Miss Charlie stealing the show.

Brooke of Killer B*designs actually made three scooters!  

She made each from a 1x10 board 

with a dowels for the handles.  

A huge thank you today to Brooke for creating this plan and sharing it with us all.  Thank you Brooke!

Enjoy your Mother's Day!

PS - My family is devoting today to working on my mother's day present!  I am so excited!!!!  I'll be sharing photos via Instagram and Twitter if you want a sneak peek!

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 1x10 @ 8 feet long
1/2" dowel rod - 7" long

Common Materials
2 inch screws
1 1/4 inch finish nails
1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
Elmer's Wood Glue
Cut List

See PDF cut diagram.

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Jigsaw
Power Sander
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

The first step is to cut out all of the pattern pieces. The PDF for the pattern pieces is here.   All the pieces should print out in a tiled format (thanks Brooke!). Then use a sharp pen to trace the pieces on to the 1x10 board - the ink won't bleed through but the pen will create an indent in your wood.

Cut all the pieces out with a jigsaw and sand the edges smooth.  Then paint the pieces - it will be easier to do this now rather than later.

Step 2

Now it's time to start assembling! Fit the frame to the front and glue in place. You can also add discreetly placed countersunk screws - especially if you want the scooter to be able to disassemble.

Step 3

Next add the seat.

Step 4

And then the wheel wells.

Step 5

Step 6

Gotta have a headlight!

Step 7

And now the base supports ...

Step 8

And finally the rockers!

Step 9

A HUGE thank you to Brooke of Killer B Designs for providing and sharing this plan with us today. Brooke has a ton more photos and details on this project and then when she built more on her blog. Stop over and visit her!

PDF

PDF Version
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Project Type
Toys
Room
Kids and Toys
Style
Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

tannisg

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 10:53

I might have to make one for my little guy - great thing about solid wood is it will be strong enough for his sisters who will undoubtedly want to ride it too!

thank you so much for sharing!

brookifer86

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 12:24

Whoops! I forgot to mention that you need to slot out the base and the front pieces. I just held a 3/4" thick board up at the angle I wanted and traced it with a pen, roughly 3.5" deep for both pieces. I drilled a pilot hole in each corner, then cut with the jigsaw. Dryfit the two pieces to see if you like the angle and height. Thanks so much for the post today! I cannot wait to see brag posts!

Christianne Baldwin (not verified)

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 13:21

Love this scooter - so cute - a modern twist on a rocking horse. I'd love to make one but I can't get the PDF to print off correctly. I found the TILES setting - in mine it is under advanced settings and then poster settings but I still printed it all on one piece of paper. Has anybody gotten this to print correctly and offer advice! This is an amazingly creative project Brooke.

Christianne Baldwin (not verified)

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 14:47

I found out that adobe reader 9 and lower versions do not support tiling. :(

brookifer86

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 20:16

@Marg - Foot pegs would probably work for an older baby, but right now Charlie is 8.5 months and I just prop her up and push her on it. She can't really rock yet ;) I think bigger kids would be able to push off the ground.

Christianne - Is there a box checked called "fit to page"? That might be your problem. See if there's something like "Do not scale". For those with a silhouette machine I created a doc for that, you can send me a message and I can email it to ya!

Jennifer D (not verified)

Mon, 05/14/2012 - 09:43

Brooke, have you thought about making and selling these? I wouldn't be able to make this because I do not have the necessary tools, but would certainly be willing to buy one! This is so adorable!!! Thank you!

brookifer86

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 14:07

Jennifer, I have considered selling these, but it's going to take a little bit first. I think I'm going to start an LLC for building/selling furniture, so if anything happens, like an injury, my personal property is protected. Especially with children's toys and furniture. It's kind of like the reason why Ana won't post crib plans. It's just a huge liability when it comes to kids and babies. I also need a little more practice with the jigsaw. I know these look great in photos, but in real life (and in the tutorial) you can tell things are uneven, cuts are rough, etc. and I'm not comfortable selling something unless I think it's almost perfect. Once I do get it down, and a business started, I think I'd price these at $50 to sell. Is there anybody handy in your life you can forward the plans to as a gift hint??

Diane Boom (not verified)

Thu, 05/17/2012 - 09:37

I just fell in love with this. My grandson Orion is going to get an orange one.
Thanks for the plain they printed out just fine for me. Was glad to see more pics of putting it together.
I saw this on Ana's web I have built a bed from her and toy box's.
Once again Thanks.
Diane

Katy (not verified)

Sat, 05/19/2012 - 11:12

I think this would make an excellent gift idea. I might give this project a go tomorrow as I have a baby shower to attend next weekend. I think the best gifts are from the heart. Plus this project looks super fun! Thanks for sharing.

Taniacx2 (not verified)

Thu, 06/07/2012 - 08:36

Hi Brooke.... This is Just amazing.. I have already cut out the pieces, they printed out just fine on my printer... I do Have one question though, When it printed out it didn't mention the Cross Braces to space the rockers.. Could you please let me know what the dimensions of the Cross Braces are... I'm so excited and can't wait to finish this project... I am making it for a little Girl and I am going to paint it Pink with maybe some white and Lime Green Graphics down the side and maybe on the front.... Thanks for sharing your wonderful Idea and I can't wait to hear back... Cheers! Tania

Naomi P (not verified)

Thu, 06/07/2012 - 19:41

Thank you for this wonderful plan. I am making it for my 1 year old cousin. I also printed everything but noticed there are no dimensions for the cross braces. I am not good at estimating these things so I was hoping to get those dimensions. Thanks a bunch.

tylerdr

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 00:12

What I did for the cross braces was measure the base of each wheel (the flat portion) and add about a 1/2". I cut the width off of the end of the 1x10 that is left over from the project. That would make the width of the brace 10" and each brace 1/2" wider then the wheel base.

Also for the notching, I found that only notching the front piece (the piece that the handle bar is attached to) about a 1/2" to 1" and the body portion 3 1/2" makes it a little more sturdy. The body portion where it gets notched out is sort of thin and can break. So by notching only enough to set a proper height, it should hold up a little better. Just a suggestion though.

brookifer86

Sat, 08/04/2012 - 06:34

Hey guys! I've been building a few of these (the plan photos show the first three I tried out) and have been plagued with a few problems. Specifically the pine splitting and cracking, as well as the rockers not rolling right. Here are a few tips I've found from building them, and from others who have built them.

1) Use a harder wood than cheap pine (I've used PureBond 3/4" plywood scraps with good luck). OR choose 1.5" thickness instead of the 3/4" just for the body, and make the details with 3/4". I DO NOT ADVISE using any sort of cheap plywood with chemicals. As this is a baby/toddler toy, odds are it will be chewed at some point.

2) Instead of putting cross braces on top (I use a 1x3 or 1x4 scrap cut at 7", or you could cut something custom from your scraps) sandwich them between the two rockers. This will help keep things even and rolling more smoothly.

3) Countersink your holes prior to assembly, and there will be less cracking. I usually follow up the countersink with a 3/8" spade bit so I can fit wood plugs instead of using putty.

4) If the handlebars are giving you trouble (mine are hit or miss a lot of the time) just use a 2"x2" square and drill into the back of your top piece, then pre-drill the center of your dowel and screw into your square spacer.

Thanks so much for being patient with me! Projects like this that have a lot of little pieces you cut with a jigsaw can bring endless trouble, or be so awesome when everything comes together just right. Happy Building!

Bridget-Philly (not verified)

Fri, 12/21/2012 - 21:41

Hi there! I'm about 90% of the way through this project (I'll post a pic when I'm finished), and I was wondering what type of varnish/lacquer you'd recommend to seal & finish it off? I wasn't sure if anyone had any thoughts on something that would be safe for kids (I'm making this for my 2-yr old niece, and imagining lots of chewing, haha).
I didn't have any luck finding any low-VOC clear coats, but maybe a regular lacquer is fine? Let me know what you think, thanks!! Back to painting- only 3 days till Christmas!

Joey9509 (not verified)

Tue, 12/25/2012 - 22:31

this was so cute I made 4 of them for Christmas gifts. I did a little tinkering with it and rounded all the edges off with my router and then pocket holed a lot of it I also used oak since that's what I had as some scrap from a desk and it turned out great thanks again and I cant wait to get started on your airplane swing

Joey9509 (not verified)

Tue, 12/25/2012 - 22:35

also I did one it true OCC style and made it a theme scooter lol when I get it all finished up I will post a pic ( the mom and dad I made this for are huge Arkansas Razorback fans though the thick and thin )

Nascarncoke

Sat, 04/27/2013 - 06:58

I found the size mentioned is 1/2" by 7" but while shopping I noticed a 1/2" dowel rod is too small and doesn't match the pictures so I used a 7/8" dowel rod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Questions

What kind of wood should I use?
Most of our plans use standard construction lumber like pine or fir. It's affordable, easy to work with, and easy to find. It's also rapidly renewing and biodegradable, so a great eco friendly choice!

Can I use hardwoods instead?
Yes—just keep in mind they're heavier, cost more, and can be tougher on tools and harder to join together and finish. I recommend not tackling a hardwood project until after you have built several softwood projects.

What if my boards are warped?
Choose the straightest boards at the store. You can often work around slight warps by cutting them into shorter pieces.

What wood should I use for outdoor furniture?
Use red-toned or pressure-treated 2x lumber for framing, and cedar or cedar fence pickets for the decking. Outdoor furniture should be built like a deck—your local home center can help recommend the right wood for your climate.

Will my wood move or warp after I build?
Potentially, especially in humid climates. Let your wood acclimate indoors before building. Once acclimated and kept in a stable environment, movement should be minimal. Remember, most houses are built using framing lumber - it's all about keeping moisture down indoors.

Cutting Questions

Do I need a miter saw?
A miter saw is great, creating fast, safe, and precise cuts, even for beginners. But most plans can be built with a circular saw and a straight edge. If using a circular saw to cut, take time to practice, and get good at making cuts, before cutting your project boards.

How do I get clean cuts with a circular saw?
Clamp your board, measure twice, cut slow, and use a sharp blade. This takes practice, so spend some time making cuts. I go through becoming proficient at freehand cutting in my course, it is worth taking if you want to master this skill.

Will the store cut my wood?
Yes—most stores will do rough cuts to help you transport your materials home. But from store to store, the quality of cuts could greatly vary.

Joinery Questions

What screws should I use?
We recommend star-head self tapping screws for framing, most common sizes are 2-1/2", 1-3/4". Pre-drill if close to the edge or you find your wood is splitting.

Do I have to use pocket holes?
Pocket holes are the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to do some joints - like edge to edge or a hidden fastener joint. There are other methods, but these can be time consuming and expensive. We recommend using pocket holes as indicated in plans for best results.

How do I keep things square?
Use a speed square and measure diagonals after each step. Always clamp joints before screwing to keep them tight and flush.

Finishing Questions

Stain or paint before or after building?
A quick sand before and a full finish after gives the best results. Pre-finish if you're doing two-tone or detailed finishes.

What type of finish?
Use oil-based or water-based stain. For paint, cabinet-grade latex or enamel works great. High use surfaces on indoor projects should get a coat of polyurethane, I recommend a Helsman or Spar or other flexible poly that won't crack or peel with wood movement. For exterior projects, use a finish suitable for exterior fences.

How to get a smooth finish?
Start with a well sanded project. Sand between coats (220 grit), wipe clean, and apply light coats with a foam brush or roller.

Plan Questions

Can I change the size?
Many people do, and that's the great thing about building your own furniture! But do keep in mind going bigger might mean more supports are required, and often plans are optimized for minimal material waste.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Yes—plans are written with simple tools and clear steps in mind, with every effort to make plans as simple as possible.

Can I sell what I build?
Absolutely! Just don’t resell or repost the plans themselves.

General Questions

What tools do I really need?
A drill, circular saw, tape measure, square, and a few clamps will get you through most projects.

Do I need a workshop?
Nope! A driveway or small patio is plenty to get started, just make sure you have a level place to work. If you find you are building several projects a year, creating a small workbench is a great way to store tools and have a dedicated workspace.

What if I mess up?
Wood filler, sanding, or flipping boards goes a long way. Mistakes are part of the process!

What can I do to make my projects look more professional?
Start with straight boards, make accurate cuts, clamp all joints, and line up everything neatly. Sand thoroughly, use a neutral finish, and apply it in light coats for a clean look.

I've never built anything before. Where should I start?
Start with a few smaller softwood projects to get hands-on experience. Or if you're tackling a big project, buy a little extra lumber and practice your cuts and joints first. If possible, work with someone who has a bit of experience.

Care & Maintenance

How long will my furniture last?
With good joinery and regular care, your DIY furniture can last for decades. I have pieces in my own home that are over 20 years old and still going strong! One of the best parts about DIY furniture is that it’s easy to repaint, refinish, or repair—so your projects can grow and adapt with you.

How should I care for outdoor furniture?
Lightly pressure wash or hose it down once or twice a year. Tighten screws and reapply finish as needed to protect it—just like a deck or fence. A little upkeep goes a long way in extending the life of your furniture.

How about indoor furniture?
Regularly dust or wipe with a damp cloth. If it starts to look worn, a light sanding and touch-up paint or stain can refresh it in no time. DIY pieces are meant to be durable and fixable—so don’t be afraid to give them some love now and then.

Want to Build with Confidence?

Check out my ebook: 12 Skills to Build Your Own Furniture
It walks you through the core skills every builder needs—measuring, cutting, joinery, and finishing—so you can build beautiful furniture that lasts.

Still Have Questions?

Email us anytime at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help!