The Woodbox Wheelbarrow
(Page 2 of 3)
December/January 2000
By Will Shelton
DETERMINING WHEEL ENCLOSURE DIMENSIONS
RELATED CONTENT
Build the enclosure around the wheel following the example illustrated in the "Wheel Housing" diagram on page 66. With the wheel in place, you can determine the dimensions of the plywood pieces that comprise the wheel enclosure. Simply make the pieces large enough to allow for at least 1" of clearance all around the tire. Also, the wheel hole should be completely enclosed. Flip the assembly over and remove the wheel and strut assembly. Now, permanently install the wheel enclosure by gluing and nailing it from the bottom up. Measure, cut and install the two strut cross braces.
Material List
• 2" x 8" x 4" Douglas Fir stock
• 2 ea., 1/2"x 4' x 8' exterior plywood sheets
• 7 ea., 8' lengths of 2" x 2" Douglas Fir stock
• 2 ea., 8' lengths of 2" x 3" Douglas Fir stock
• 16-oz bottle, waterproof carpenter's glue
• Epoxy (optional) - enough to "paint" 30 sq. ft.
• 1 1/4", 1/4-lb. finish nails
• Small box 1 1/4" drywall screws
• 2 ea., 1/4" x 1 1/2" galvanized eye bolts
• 4', 1/4" rope
• 4 ea., window screen hooks; 8 ea., corresponding eyes
• 2 ea., 6" T hinges
• 6 ea., 1 1/2" hinges
• Wheelbarrow tire/wheel, axle/axle supports
• 2 ea., 1 5/8" x 1 3/8" x 38" wooden handles
Cutting List
2' Y, 2" DOUG. FIR STOCK
4 @ 20"
4 @ 40"
4 @ 37 1/2"
2 @ 35"
2" X 3" DOUG. FIR STOCK
2 @ 23"
2 @ 9 1/2"
2 @ 19"
PLYWOOD
2 @ 23" x 25"
2 @ 41"x25"
1 @ 40" x 23"
1 @ 43" x 32"
If you haven't already done so, cut the two plywood side panels and their corresponding framing pieces. Glue and nail the framing pieces to the panels. Note the 1/2" setback lines on the sides and bottom (see " Bottom and Sides " diagram). This spacing is necessary because the front, back and bottom panels are enclosed by the side panels. Screw the left and right 1/2" plywood interior slot covers in place (after you have sealed, painted, or epoxied inside the slot). Cut the front and back panels and their respective framing pieces. Join the two sides to the bottom, then join the front and back panels to the assembly.
THE HANDLE-END LEGS
The last bit of calculating you have to do will determine the length of the box's legs - they should be even with the wheel you've chosen. Seal and paint the inside of the wheel enclosure, put the wheel assembly back on and turn the box to its upright position on some kind of flat surface. Be sure the tire pressure is up to snuff. Measure the distance from your flat surface to the front edge of the bottom of the box, then do the same for the back edge. The difference between the two dimensions is what you cut off the bottom of the legs to make the box level.
