Build a Kettcar yourself – this is how it works

Children should play outside a lot, but in the age of computer games, parents really have to come up with something to lure their children outside. You will certainly have great success if you build your child a kettcar yourself, which will then ensure a lot of sporting activity for the child.

What you need:

• Blueprint for a metal Kettcar frame
• corresponding vehicle parts
• and metalworking tools
• or
• various multiplex panels of 1.8 cm thickness:
• 2 x 1m x 0.25m for the side panels
• 2 x battens of 1 mx 5 cm for reinforcement at the bottom edge
• 3 x 22 x 20 cm for the transverse stabilizers
• 2 x strips of 1 m x 3.5 cm for the sides of the seat
• 6 x slats of 90 x 3.5 cm for the seat itself 90 x 3.5 cm
• Accessories such as wooden dowels, glue and stainless steel screws
• two matching axles with two wheels each
• Tool for sawing the panels and screwing the parts together

If you have mechanical engineering skills, you will want to build an almost original Kettcar yourself, if not, the build is over wood one way:

A real Kettcar – more of a project for machine builders

1. The original Kettcar is a four-wheeled vehicle that is equipped with a drive like a bicycle, so the wheels on the rear axle are driven by pedals and a chain.
2. A horizontal lever is typically used as a brake, which when pulled presses a metal rod onto the rear wheels, which exerts the braking effect.
3. A steering wheel is installed at the front, which effects the steering via the front axle.
4. There are building instructions for such Kettcars , but these can only be mastered by people who have a good knowledge of mechanical engineering and who have all the tools needed for metal constructions in their own workshop.
5. A more conceivable solution for do-it-yourselfers is the conversion of an existing Kettcar, which e.g. B. can be changed in size. For example, the frame is often flexed apart and then extended with new tubes that have to be welded in, and the chain would then have to be replaced with a longer version. Even such an undertaking is beyond the scope of a written guide, but if there is a metal workshop near you that you can hire by the hour, you are likely to find someone who will be enthusiastic and knowledgeable about your undertaking.

Build a wooden Kettcar yourself 

1. The idea of ​​building a wooden kettcar yourself is more suitable for DIY enthusiasts. Any gifted do-it-yourselfer can build a wooden vehicle, this fun mobile later looks like a kind of soap box and will be a lot of fun for your children.
2. First you cut the side parts, the front and the back are provided with curves at the ends as desired. You can also cut some decorative cutouts in the wood if you are careful to keep the panels stable. With the cutting of the side parts (and the later painting) you can indicate different vehicle shapes, but you are limited by the horizontal seat.
3. These side parts are now reinforced at the lower edge by screwing the two 5 cm wide strips along the entire length.
4. Then the side parts are connected with the three wooden panels of 22 x 20 cm, which are placed between them and also give the body stability. They are inserted over the reinforcements so that they are flush with the top edge. You can attach these cross braces with dowels made of wood and glue, but you can also (additionally) screw them with angle brackets.
5. Now the seat can be built from the remaining strips, the two strips of 1 m length are glued to the side parts and then screwed. The six slats of 90 cm length go flat on the transverse boards and are screwed to them (with countersunk screws that are well smeared with wood putty so that the seating surface of the clothing does not suffer later). All cut edges should of course also be carefully smoothed.
6. The last step is the equipment with the landing gear. To do this, drill two holes for the axles in the side panels at the front and two at the back. The unequipped axles are now inserted through these holes, on which the wheels are then screwed tight.

This wooden kettcar is now actually finished, but of course it can still be decorated in many ways, which is usually the real fun for the children. They will almost outdo each other in ideas of how the new vehicle could be painted.