The following instructions are for making an old-fashioned pull wagon out of cardboard. The instructions for children were originally published in a newspaper in 1902, and could be adapted as a wood project.
How to Make a Wrapping Paper Wagon
What is the use of buying an express wagon at the store when you can make one, and just as good, out of wrapping paper?
True, you cannot place any great amount of weight in this wagon, but you can have as much fun with it, and it runs as well as any store wagon ever sold. Then, too, you can have the pleasure of making it, which is in itself a treat for any boy. Now, if you want an opportunity to show your playmates what you can do, construct one of these wagons, which may be built very easily.
Don’t be under the impression this is a little bit of a child’s wagon, for the one here pictured measured seven feet in length.
Here is how to set to work about it. First procure some unused sheets of stout wrapping paper. Cut out one of these, which should measure about three feet and a half in length to a width of two feet. Cut out two other pieces, which should be of the same length to a width of seven inches. Turn over one of the long sides of each of these to the depth of one inch. Now you have the bottom and long sides of your wagon made. The dimensions of the short sides should be two feet by seven inches; crease over the long ends of each of these as in the two long sides of your wagon. Fasten all four sides together with sealing wax. You can use little strips of paper for bands if you prefer to make it more secure. The seat should be eight inches wide and in shape, and fastened to the sides of the wagon with sealing wax, as shown in picture.
Now make your wheels. Cut out four strips of stiff cardboard, the stiffer the better, two of them 4 feet 6 inches in length and two 3 feet in length. These rims should measure 3 inches in width. Fasten the ends of each of these cardboard strips into a circle with sealing wax. Make the spokes for your wheels by rolling long, narrow strips of wrapping paper into thin spiral tubes. Before doing this, thoroughly cover each side of these strips with paste. After rolling let these dry until quite hard and then cut into suitable lengths. For the larger wheels the spokes will measure about 1 foot 6 inches in length and for the small wheels about 1 foot in length. As these spokes must fit perfectly, measure the distance across your cardboard rim and cut your spokes accordingly. There are only four spokes to each wheel, which cross each other as shown in picture. Fasten spokes to rim first and then where they intersect with sealing wax.
The axles are tubular spirals of paper an inch wide, 2 feet 6 inches in length and made in the same manner as the spokes.
Cut out four square pieces of cardboard, make a hole in lower end of each about an inch and a half in diameter and attach upper ends with sealing wax to sides of wagon where the wheels are to go.
When the axle is thoroughly hardened pass it under the wagon through the holes in the cardboard, and fasten it to the exact center of the wheels with a liberal supply of sealing wax. The diagram illustrates how the axle is made and arranged perfectly.
The shafts are two long spiral tubes of paper, made just as is the axle, and fastened to the wagon just under the front side with sealing wax.
Carefully follow the illustrations here given and you cannot go wrong.
Source: The age-herald. (Birmingham, Ala.), 18 May 1902.
