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This great little sit-on children’s digger is such a cool addition to our backyard. Simple to use with only two levers and a rotating seat, our niece and nephew can dig away in the sand box. A few cute additions such as some caution tape and it looks like the real deal!
Materials
1x 9mm MDF Panel 1200x900mm https://www.bunnings.com.au/9mm-mdf-panel-standard-1200-x-900mm_p0590072?srsltid=AfmBOorGpD4Z8HplJVf...
1 x 70x35mm Treated Pine
4 x 19x42mm Dressed Pine Lengths
https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-19mm-1-2m-dar-pine-standard_p8401487
2 x 20x1.6mm Aluminium flat bar
6 x 60mm bolts M6
2 x 80mm bolts (same type as above)
150mm Lazy Susan Bearing Plate
10G 30mm Timber Screws
Wood glue
OPTIONAL:
Black Spray Paint
Metallic Silver Spray Paint
Clear Spray Varnish
Caution Grip Tape (for the finish)
Self-adhesive Black Rubber Tape (for the “tyres”)
Black Self-adhesive Foam (if you would like to add a padded seat)
Tools
Drop Saw
Cordless Drill
Belt or Disc Sander
Bandsaw (Optional)
Steps
Step 1
Start by cutting each of your components using your selected timber. You will need to draw and cut:
- 2x levers
- 2x short arms
- 2x long arms
- Pieces for the bucket
- Seat
- Main arm
- Chocks to lift the seat
Step 2
Cut two “tyres” using the 35x70mm treated pine. Then cut your base using the 9mm MDF. Frame this using the extra 35x70mm timber turned on its size to loose the height. Screw these components together using the 10G 30mm screws.
Attach the seat to the chocks and then secure this to one side of your lazy Susan bearing plate. Then screw the other side of the plate to the base.
Step 3
Sand all of the components thoroughly (rounding the edges) and then begin drilling a hole in the joints. Use the bolts to attach the arms and levers.
Cut the aluminium to size, sand the edges smooth and drill the same sized hole in each end. Attach to the levers and then to one short arm and one long arm to allow the arm to move freely.
Step 4
Pull apart all components and paint/varnish.
Step 5
Add rubber to wheels and caution tape to feet area to complete the look. Add some self adhesive foam to the seat for comfort. I used black electrical tape to cover the handles but you could also paint or use the self-adhesive rubber.
Step 6
Assemble all the parts and enjoy!
Optional: I added some rubber door stoppers to stop the digger from rotating beyond 90 degrees. This assists in ensuring the sand stays in the sand box!
