Old Classic Flat Bottom Wheelbarrow?

[slowtwitch73]

How to repurpose a wheelbarrow into a flatbed barrow | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Millie shows us how to roll new life into an old wheelbarrow by creating a versatile and useful new tool for the garden, a flatbed barrow. Subscribe 🔔 http:...

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[Beemer]

Make a wood one....

Since it will live outside, that won't do.
I don't mind changing handles (but actually steel handles would solve that) but not the whole thing.

 

[Beemer]

How to repurpose a wheelbarrow into a flatbed barrow | DIY Garden Projects | Gardening Australia

Millie shows us how to roll new life into an old wheelbarrow by creating a versatile and useful new tool for the garden, a flatbed barrow. Subscribe 🔔 http:...

www.google.com

Interesting. Handy gal to have around.

 

[Beemer]

A M Leonard sells good stuff. But it’s not cheap. Is this what you are looking for?

https://www.amleo.com/leonard-6-cub...tray-wheelbarrow-with-flat-free-tire/p/FWBST6

Similar. I was thinking shallower but it's worth hunting down to take a look.
I actually found one like I think I want but it's 115 miles away and an expensive bridge toll to cross the Hudson river. Pisser.

 

[OldCarGuy]

After decades of service... Time to retire my old wheelbarrow.. . No idea of its' age or maker; but it served me well.


Steel spoke run-flat wheel. Never needs air


Just purchased a Jackson 6 cubic foot model wheelbarrow. Comes standard with a “NEVER FLAT TIRE!” Nothing new here, I never had a flat tire with the ole time tested model with its' tough steel spoke wheel..

 

[Beemer]

After decades of service... Time to retire my old wheelbarrow.. . No idea of its' age or maker; but it served me well.


Steel spoke run-flat wheel. Never needs air


Just purchased a Jackson 6 cubic foot model wheelbarrow. Comes standard with a “NEVER FLAT TIRE!” Nothing new here, I never had a flat tire with the ole time tested model with its' tough steel spoke wheel..

That steel wheel had to be a killer!
Or did the rubber disappear?

 

[ATC]

and the pans are thin when new so they won't hold up to the weather.
Thanks for the hunt but that's why I mentioned the interest in a vintage one.

Buy two, and sandwitch the two pans together when assembling it. Then, you'll have spare handles and a tire/wheel.

 

[Beemer]

I think we've beat this horse to death but some alternate ideas did come out of it.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[OldCarGuy]

That steel wheel had to be a killer!
Or did the rubber disappear?

The wheelbarrow just had a steel wheel,, no rubber. That's what I remember as a child as they were very common. Actually the solid steel wheel works better than one may think. Though it boggs down in soft mud. And had a tinny sound over concrete... Sure can hear you coming,,

 

[OldCarGuy]

After decades of service... Time to retire my old wheelbarrow.. . No idea of its' age or maker; but it served me well.


Steel spoke run-flat wheel. Never needs air

Rather than put the old gal out to pasture, I decided to breath some more life in her. I welded a piece of 16 gauge steel in the tray, Welded up numerous holes in the frame. And pressed on some solid brass tubing I had standing in the corner of my shop. Then spray painted it with Rust-Oleum with hardener. Then a final automotive clear coat over everything..





I couldn't find the manufacturer nor the time it was built. So I just painted it to my liking's, and what paint I had on hand. I chose the yellow for the spoke wheel to emphasize it. I can remember wheelbarrows having the solid steel in the 1940's when I was a child...

 

[Beemer]

Rather than put the old gal out to pasture, I decided to breath some more life in her. I welded a piece of 16 gauge steel in the tray, Welded up numerous holes in the frame. And pressed on some solid brass tubing I had standing in the corner of my shop. Then spray painted it with Rust-Oleum with hardener. Then a final automotive clear coat over everything..





I couldn't find the manufacturer nor the time it was built. So I just painted it to my liking's, and what paint I had on hand. I chose the yellow for the spoke wheel to emphasize it. I can remember wheelbarrows having the solid steel in the 1940's when I was a child...

Looks too pretty to use.
I'd have tree frogs in the handles if I had one like that here.

 

[sz0k30]

Trying to hunt down an old fashioned flat bottom wheelbarrow.
They were generally all steel, low capacity, maybe 4 cu. ft. and were not bathtub shaped like all the current ones.
Any ideas where to look?

Just saw that one at Ace Hardware. About $60.

 

[Beemer]

Just saw that one at Ace Hardware. About $60.

Thanks for that.
I think someone earlier said he worked at one assembling them and advised against that.
I noticed plastic wedges under the tray.

 

[four.cycle]

^ the one in the photo that @sz0k30 posted above (post #52) is the same model I bought at ACE Hardware about 8 years ago. MINE has plastic wedges right under the bed, but that's not the weak point.
The weak point is the cheezy handles, one of which snapped when I loaded the bed full of bricks.
I believe I paid about $40 bucks for it on sale.

 

[Beemer]

^ the one in the photo that @sz0k30 posted above (post #52) is the same model I bought at ACE Hardware about 8 years ago. MINE has plastic wedges right under the bed, but that's not the weak point.
The weak point is the cheezy handles, one of which snapped when I loaded the bed full of bricks.
I believe I paid about $40 bucks for it on sale.

I think a solution to handles might be replacement with specialty woodworking handle shop items.
I was looking at something like these: https://beaver-tooth.com/products/60-wheelbarrow-handles-new-pair-usa-replacement

I have an expensive commercial grade wheelbarrow and, guess what, one of the wooden handles needed replacement in about a year or so. I guess it's just like building cars. If they save 20 bucks per wheel barrow it adds up. It just doesn't make for confidence in the product line.

 

[dutchgray]

You want a European wheel barrow, they all are flat bottom, I have never seen one that wasn't.

 

[four.cycle]

@Beemer - for less than $36.75, I can buy two pieces of one-inch angle iron long enough to support the cheesy handles and never have to worry about it again. I just haven't gotten to it because .... I try to avoid doing stuff that requires the use of the wheelbarrow.
Maybe I'll get to it later this summer.

 

[Beemer]

You want a European wheel barrow, they all are flat bottom, I have never seen one that wasn't.

That's interesting but wrong part of the world.

 

[Beemer]

@Beemer - for less than $36.75, I can buy two pieces of one-inch angle iron long enough to support the cheesy handles and never have to worry about it again. I just haven't gotten to it because .... I try to avoid doing stuff that requires the use of the wheelbarrow.
Maybe I'll get to it later this summer.

Probably for less. We have a large surplus and used steel warehouse nearby. It's just out of character though.

 

[RTM]

I think a solution to handles might be replacement with specialty woodworking handle shop items.
I was looking at something like these: https://beaver-tooth.com/products/60-wheelbarrow-handles-new-pair-usa-replacement

I got mine here for a bit less.

Welcome to House Handle Company

 

[Beemer]

I got mine here for a bit less.

Welcome to House Handle Company

What is the wood? It's not clear from the listing.

 

[RTM]

What is the wood? It's not clear from the listing.

I think mine are white oak, certain things they say hickory or white oak, like their dowels. Can call and ask.

 

[Beemer]

I think mine are white oak, certain things they say hickory or white oak, like their dowels. Can call and ask.

Oh, that's House Handle Company. Read about that.
So how were the handles?

 

[RTM]

Oh, that's House Handle Company. Read about that.
So how were the handles?

I like them. I bought them after mine broke under load. Bought it used, doubled my investment in the wheelbarrow.

Only hard part was deciding where to put / cut the wedges they supplied.

Straight as can be, white oak should hold up longer than the tub at this point.

 

[Beemer]

I like them. I bought them after mine broke under load. Bought it used, doubled my investment in the wheelbarrow.

Only hard part was deciding where to put / cut the wedges they supplied.

Straight as can be, white oak should hold up longer than the tub at this point.

I presume what appears as wedges sitting atop the main handles are loose wedges, right?
What did you use for a finish on the oak?

 

[RTM]

I presume what appears as wedges sitting atop the main handles are loose wedges, right?
What did you use for a finish on the oak?

I don’t recall, I may have done a mix of equal parts by weight BLO, beeswax, and turpentine melted together, then wiped on.

Or I did nothing, been a few years, probably need to redo it.

 

[sz0k30]

After seeing this original post, I looked at mine and it needed work, so I decided to rebuild it. My father originally bought it in 1971, so 53 years old. The original tire was no longer roadworthy, bought a new one at harbor Freight for $17. Bought oak handles on ebay for $55 (real nice 1-1/2 square, but I had to plug and redrill 4 holes). Had to make my own wedges by cutting a 2x4 diagonally. Painted the pan. New carriage bolts, since I had to cut the original ones off. So all in for approx $80.