Will's Indestructible Weekend Wheel Barrow
A two-day do-it-yourself project for less appalling hauling with this sturdy wooden wheel barrow.
December/January 1997
By Will Shelton
If you, like me, get tired of making repeated trips to the tool or potting shed, and carrying stuff by the armloads: stop! Maybe it's time to build yourself an old-fashioned wheel barrow. This backsaver can be built in a weekend for around $50, and that includes buying the wheel.
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The wheel, with built-in bearings, can be bought at any decent hardware store for around $25. But if your are feeling particularly neolithic, you can build your own. Or maybe you can scavenge one from a piece of broken or unused equipment.
This model has "convertible" stake bed sides: why lug that extra weight around if you don't need to? You can also tote wider things with this design without having to balance them on the top. I like options.
I designed this with ease of construction in mind. That's why everything is "squared off." You don't have to calculate any angles (almost all of the cuts are 90 degrees). Likewise, all the lumber is "off-the-shelf" sizes. Use 1/4" x 3" lag bolts with washers to assemble all the 2" x 4" structures (two lag bolts at each union; use at least three lag bolts to attach the legs to the sides; pre-drill). Use waterproof glue and 1 1/4" drywall screws to attach the plywood to the frame.
Use a sealing-type primer and paint. Be sure all the edges of the plywood are sealed. You may be tempted to omit the bottom bed panel. Don't. The sandwiched structure is tremendously strong and will withstand both side-loading and wracking stresses. Without the bottom panel, you would need diagonal cross-bracing which involves complicated mortise joints and angle cuts.
If you are going to be carrying really abrasive objects (such as rocks or your mother-in-law), you might consider lining the bed with sheets of tin. As always, use proper lifting techniques and wear a back support. Don't overload: two trips are better than one. Throwing your back out needlessly isn't a time-saver.
