Making and building things with your kids (or lets face is 'for' your kids, because they often bail half way through) is rewarding and fun.
We recently found a version of this 'hot wheels' style shelf on Pinterest and thought we would give it a go. Not only was it easy, and fun, it was quick and the job was done for under $50. It's a great gift idea or just an excuse for a trip to Bunnings and to spend an hour in the shed, with or with out the kids.
Here's what you will need:
1 x Mountain Bike tyre (we picked one up from 99 Bikes for $18)
1 x Pkt of black countersunk timber screws. We used short 16mm and picked them up for about $3 for 45 screws at Big Red Hammer (Bunnings). Depending how many shelves you want to insert, just ensure you have four screws for every shelf. We made ours with 9 shelves, so 36 screws.
2 x 2.4m length of pine that will fit widthways inside your bike tyre. (Is it called pine trim? Pine battening?) You may need more if you have a bigger bike tyre than ours or want more shelves. Grabbed ours from Bunnings it was around $13 per 2.4mtr length (Take the tyre to the shop and you will ensure to find the most suitable timber)
Drill (we used a cordless Makita)
Saw of any kind (We used a cordless circular saw, but a hand saw would also do)
Pencil
Set Square
Calculator (Optional)
Safety glasses
A work bench and vice would be handy. We didn't have this luxury.
Here's how to make it:
Measure lengths of wood to fit inside your tyre as shelves. Start with the middle / widest part of the circle and move outwards towards the top and the bottom, measuring for as many shelves as you'd like. Nine was nice spacing for ours. I have seen more. Mark up the timber with pencil and a set square.
Cut timber to length for all shelves.
Insert the cut timber lengths one at a time, and then hold in place with your black countersunk screws. Each shelf will need four screws
Erase any pencil lines that are visible and you are done!
Hang and place cars!
You could stain the pine before screwing it in place if that's your jam.
