1:20.3 Hot Dog Cart

This project was inspired by Ted Stinson's Plan set #88 titled "Build a 1:20.3-scale hot-dog cart." The plan was available as an online supplement to the October 2008 issue of Garden Railways magazine.

A lot of images of real hot dog carts were used for reference. The "Heritage Hot Dog Cart", sold by The USA Trailer Store, is almost identical to Ted's plan.

Printing Notes

The .3mf and MK4 .bgcode files will print one object at a time to help minimize stringing.

I printed the body and miscellaneous parts in grey. But you might consider printing them in white and then painting them a metallic stainless steel color.

The umbrella was supposed to be a solid red. But I ran out of filament... twice!

Assembly Instructions

Start by test fitting the wheels to the axle. Set the body onto the frame and adjust the wheel positions to your liking. When satisfied, glue the wheels in place.

Next, glue the top to the body. Notice there are alignment pins and holes to help get it straight. Also notice the top is not centered on the body. It overhangs more on one side for condiments and such. Make sure the umbrella hole, which passes all the way through the top, is at the front.

Glue the chip rack to the top of the cart.

If you printed this from the .3mf or .bgcode, the umbrella has a sacrificial layer in the bottom so that it will print without supports (this layer does not exist in the .stl file). Use something like a tiny Philips screwdriver to poke though that layer to open up the umbrella pole hole.

Glue the pole into the umbrella. Then glue it into the hole in the top of the cart. Consider adding a spot of glue between the pole and the top of the rack for added support.

Finally, glue the body to the frame. Make sure the stand (at the front of the frame) is pointing down.

Print Settings

Printer Brand: Prusa

Printer:  i3 MK4

Supports:  Yes

Resolution:  0.2 mm

Infill:  15%

Filament Material:  PLA