MOTHER'S LEAF BAGGER

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Measure off another four inches on each side and twist two more 90° arcs ... causing the ends of the tube to face each other To fasten the E.M.T. together, slide about one inch of each tip of your 5/8" dowel into an open end, drill a small hole though both pieces of conduit (all the way into the dowel), and secure the "joints" with wood screws. Finally—to increase your toting comfort—measure down eight inches from the top of the handle and band each tube to about a 30° angle ... to form a stepback.

With the frame solidly assembled, determine the best position for the wheeland-axle assembly. (it should be placed so the cart will rest upright while the "bass"—the loop of tubing which will support the leaf bags—is roughly parallel to the ground.) Then drill an "axle-sized" hole through both tubes, slide the axle into place, and fasten the wheels with washers and cotter pins.

Once that's done, it's time to attach the bag holder, which is made from the bicycle rim. Mark a spot on each leg just below the stepbacked handle. While holding the rim level (parallel to the ground) at these points, drill a 1/4" hole through each frame tube and through the metal "hoop". Use a stack of washers (or a couple of half-inch-long chunks of tubing ... or a pair of old lawn-mower valve springs ... or anything that will provide "spacing") to separate the rim from the frame, and fasten the assembly together with two 1/4" X 2" carriage bolts, washers, and nuts. (if your spacers are at least half an inch thick, there will be sufficient room to wrap the lip of the bag over the bicycle rim.)

Place the plastic leaf bag inside the bike rim and fold a few inches over the edge of the bicycle wheel. Use the band of rubber (from the rim) to hold the bag in place. (If your elastic has deteriorated, a screen door spring—bent into a loop with its ends hooked together—will also work.) And, should you And your full bags sagging through the frame tubes on the way to the compost pile, there's a remedy for that problem, too. Just drill a small hole through each conduit "upright"—between the rim and the axle—and string some stout wire from one tube leg to the other. The bag will rest against the strand while you roll.

You can either paint your new leaf cart or leave its "stock" flashy metallic finish ... since E.M.T. is resistant to corrosion. In either case, you'll find that—though the bagger won't make raking leaves a pleasure—it is a step in the right direction. And while you're working, try taking a positive point of view: Think of the great mulch you're going to have for next spring's garden.

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