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This is two builds in one: a little open coffee cart, and the star of the show, a wooden toy espresso machine that sits on top with a dowel portafilter handle, a steam wand, and turned knobs. It's the kind of project that gets played with for years, so it's worth the extra fussing to get the machine's proportions right.
The cart is simple casework — a bottom, two sides, a center panel, and a shelf, all nailed and glued, with the center panel doing the structural work so the nailed joints don't have to be strong. The espresso machine is where the character lives: cut two identical curved sides with a jigsaw, box them together, and add the dowel details. Because little hands will grab the portafilter and wand constantly, glue those dowels well and consider a dab of the right adhesive at the joints.
Round over and sand every edge thoroughly — this is a toy for a small child, so nothing sharp survives, and use a child-safe finish once cured. Cut the dowel pieces slightly long and trim to fit; toy proportions are easier to eyeball than to measure.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x12, 10 ftCart body. | 1 each |
| 1x10, 2 ftCart shelf. | 1 each |
| 1x8, 4 ftEspresso machine sides. | 1 each |
| 1x3, 2 ft | 1 each |
| 1x4, 1 ft | 1 each |
| 1x2, 4 ft | 1 each |
| 2" diameter dowel, 2 ftCart legs, portafilter, knobs. | 1 each |
| 3/4" diameter dowel, 12"Handle and steam wand. | 1 each |
| Wood screws, 2" | 1 box |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" and 5/8" | 1 box |
| Wood glue | 6 oz |
| Child-safe finishRated safe once fully cured. | 1 kit |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Cart bottom1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 25 1/2" |
| Cart sides1x12 | 2 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 17 1/2" |
| Cart shelf1x10 | 1 | 3/4" × 9 1/4" × 24" |
| Cart center panel1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 24" |
| Cart top support1x2 | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 26 1/2" |
| Cart top1x12 | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 32 1/2" |
| Cart legs2" dowel | 4 | 2" × 2" × 3" |
| Espresso machine sides1x8Cut identical curved profile with a jigsaw. | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 9 1/2" |
| Espresso machine front/back1x8 | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 12" |
| Espresso machine top1x2 | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 13 1/2" |
| Espresso machine drip tray1x3 | 1 | 3/4" × 2 1/2" × 12" |
| Espresso machine panel1x4 | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12" |
| Portafilter holder2" dowel | 1 | 2" × 2" × 1 1/2" |
| Portafilter handle3/4" dowel | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 5" |
| Knobs2" dowel | 2 | 2" × 2" × 1/2" |
| Steam wand3/4" dowel | 1 | 3/4" × 3/4" × 6" |
Buy 9 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
2 boards
Attach the four dowel legs to the bottom shelf with 2" screws, two per leg. Then attach the cart sides to the bottom — nails and glue are fine here because the center panel will reinforce everything.
Attach the center panel with nails and glue — this is the structural spine of the cart. Then set the shelf on top and attach with nails and glue.
Attach the top support piece, then the top itself, with nails and glue. This completes the cart that the espresso machine sits on.
Cut the two espresso-machine sides with a jigsaw — make them identical, and sand the curves smooth. Then box them together with the front and bottom using 1-1/4" brad nails and glue.
Add the drip tray, panel, and top, then the dowel details: the 2" dowel portafilter holder with its 3/4" dowel handle, the two knobs, and the steam wand. Glue these well — small hands grab them constantly. Nail and glue from all sides so nothing works loose.
Sand every edge and corner round — this is a toy for a small child, so nothing sharp survives. Finish with a child-safe finish and let it fully cure before it goes into play.
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1 board
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1 board
1 board
1 board
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →