The Bicycle-Wheeled Shopping Cart

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To get started, saw off the cart's rear wheels, and stash them away for a future project. Then file the cut edges smooth.

Next, prepare the side braces. Using the tube bender, form a curve in one end of each section of E.M.T. Then, making sure each brace will clear the wheel when it's attached to the hub at one end and the basket at the other, trim the tubing to size. Now, place each piece on a hard surface and — with the curve pointing upward — flatten a 2-inch tip at the bottom (unbent) end. Drill a 3/8-inch hole through the center of the flattened part (where it'll fit over the axle) and a 1/4-inch hole through the curved end (for the bolt that will secure the brace to the side of the cart).

The axle fits under the basket and — on Mother's carryall — 6 inches forward of its rear end. Lay the 18-inch length of E.M.T. under the basket — at the appropriate point on your cart — and against the supporting frame. Then insert the wooden spacer between the tubing and the basket and secure both E.M.T. and spacer to the basket gridwork, using the three hose clamps.

Now, slide the threaded rod through the tubing and center it before fitting a washer and then a nut at either end. Add the remaining pieces in the following order (from the nut out): flare fitting (with its cone toward the wheel hub), bicycle wheel, flare fitting, side brace and nut. Your cart should now stand on four wheels.

The final step is to finish attaching the side braces. Insert the open end of the eyebolt into the "mouth" of the curved end of the brace and fasten it in place with the 10-32 bolt run through the E.M.T. Then swing the brace up to the spot where it's to be attached to the basket; slide two body washers over the stem of the eyebolt, one on each side of the basket grid; and clamp them together with the gridwork between.

As we said, the cart you obtain may well be a bit different from the one Mother used, and you might have to fiddle with the dimensions and procedures given here. The basic idea, however, is simply to put the bicycle wheels in a position that allows you to tilt the cart backwards easily. This will raise the front wheels, allowing you to roll the carrier up over a curb or step, or even push it briskly down the street on two wheels.

We hope our version of this hauler will inspire and enable you to make one. Then, once you've put it together, you can take off to the nearest market for a spree of economical bulk buying and "cart" your supplies back home in your very own gasless pushmobile!

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