Here's a wooden toy ferris wheel I made for my eldest daughter as a birthday gift! I have limited tools so the project could be shortened if you have things like a cnc or router machine and a pin nailer. For more detailed instructions, and information, please check out the video I made on how to build it. All the best with your future projects!

Supplies

Tools I used, but can be substituted with others:

-Jig-saw

-Sander

Drill

-Impact driver

Materials:

-Plywood sheets

-Various other bits of timber

-Glue

-Screws

Steel washers

-Small 'lazy susan' x2

Step 1: Marking Out the Design

Mark out the design for the main wheel, this is something I just made up as I went. So I unfortunately I don't have a shareable template. The hole in the center needs to be a nice tight fit for whatever thickness of timber you select for the centre shaft.

I have screwed two peices of plywood together, outside the circle, so that I can cut out both at the same time.

Step 2: Cut and Sand

Just work on cutting the inside for now and leave the outer circle. This will help get the bulk of it sanded as one joined piece. Sand all the inside shapes once cutting is complete.

Step 3: Make the 'pods'

Time to make the "pods". This is just a shape that I came up with, there's certainly options for creative freedom with these. I made 8 in total but depending on the size of the wheel you can do more or less. I've used metal washers to reinforce to top section as the wood gets quite thin and is susceptible to cracking. At the time I did not have a pin gun, that would have come in handy, but my solution was pre-drilling and using screws and putty. Very time consuming!

Step 4: Finish Cutting

Now that the pods are done, finished cutting out the wheel and give the whole thing another final sand. I've used clamps so that I can do both together. Same as when cutting out the centre at the start.

Step 5: Pre-drill and Framing Support

Prep the wheel as much as possible for when the two pieces will be joined up. I've done all the pre-drilling on both sides and screwed all the centre pieces that support the pods, on one side. These pieces will need to be about half an inch or 10mm longer than the widths of the pods. I also countersunk the holes a little.

Step 6: The Legs

Design and cut out to side legs that will hold the wheel. I've tried to keep it similar to the wheel design, with the flower in the centre which also helps strengthen the triangle shape.

Step 7: Spinning Mechanism

I purchased two small lazy susans, one for each side of the wheel as the spinning mechanism.

They were glued to the main wheels. You'll also need to cut out a handle and the centre spoke.

This bit was a bit fiddly, so feel free to check out the video for more clarification and information.

Step 8: Varnish

Before assembly varnish (or paint if you prefer) all the components, this will make it a lot easier than trying to get to all the nooks and crannies once it's assembled.

Step 9: Assembly

Now it's time to assemble all the pieces together!

Step 10: Rap That Gift

Last thing to be installed is the centre spoke and handle. Then it was time to wrap the gift and give it to her on her birthday!

This is probably one of my favourite projects I have completed so far, I hope you find this instructable helpful. Don't forget to check out the video for any more details you need, or if you want to see Ruby's reaction at the end!