My new homebuilt cart

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pat
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My new homebuilt cart

Post by pat »

First of all, this is NOT my design. It's pretty much a direct copy from <a href="http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/building/thumbnails.php?album=2">here</a>. I made a few minor modifications.

Some of the PVC joints aren't glued, so the cart comes apart for easy storage in the yak.

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My biggest problem was that on the original design, the guy gave instructions on cutting a bigger hole in the pool noodle, but I was unable to come up with anything that gave a hint of future success. I WAS able to simply stretch the noodle over the pipe, but I wasn't able to do more than about three inches before it'd bind up and start shredding. So instead of one 10" length, I used two 3" lengths. This actually gives some space between them where the strap will go.

I also came up with a better method (imho) for securing the wheels.

His design calls for using "D-Rings" to secure the non-glued parts. When I got to the auto-supply store, they'd closed, so I checked Lowes. They had them, but they cost $4 each, which would have doubled the cost of the cart so far. So for the time being, I'm just using Ron's solution of nails.
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Post by Ron »

I like it Pat. The more I look at it, the less I like mine.
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Post by pat »

And when the next guy (or girl) learns from me and builds his, I'll hate mine.
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Post by getnoutside »

ohhh.... way cool!!!!
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Post by Chip »

pat wrote:And when the next guy (or girl) learns from me and builds his, I'll hate mine.


That's why I am waiting to build mine. :D

Looks good.
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Post by pat »

Y'know what I think I'd like to get - one of those longish bags with a drawstring that comes with a folding chair or tent. It'd almost be worth it to spend the five bucks to get a decent bag and throw the chair away. :)
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Post by getnoutside »

Pat,

What do you think the max weight capacity is?
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Sweet Cart!

Post by Dave »

Very nice! I've never seen one before. So I guess this is for portaging?

The chair would probably be cheaper than getting a bag at EMS or REI, I think I paid around 10 for a small bag for backpacking at REI last fall.
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Post by pat »

get'n-outside wrote:What do you think the max weight capacity is?


Well, it handled my 55 lb kayak without any trouble at all. Then I sat in the kayak while it was on the cart and... er... the capacity is somewhere <i>between</i> 55 lb and 240 lb.

I'm kidding. I really don't know. It seemed very sturdy, but I was only pulling it around the driveway, which is hardly a rugged test. I'll bring it with me on Thursday. Pulling through the sand on the beach will tell me more of what I want to know.
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Re: Sweet Cart!

Post by pat »

Dave wrote:So I guess this is for portaging?


It probably could be used for portaging, but my primary use would be to get from the car to the water. Sometimes it's a bit of a walk.
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Post by Chip »

pat wrote:Y'know what I think I'd like to get - one of those longish bags with a drawstring that comes with a folding chair or tent. It'd almost be worth it to spend the five bucks to get a decent bag and throw the chair away. :)

Why don't you cut the leg off an old pair of sweatpants and sew the bottom and add a drawstring. Or take a towel and make a tube out of it.
Dot made me a couple of small bags made from fleece for my GPS and other small camping stuff.
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Post by pat »

Hey, I <i>do</i> have several sets of ratty sweats that I can never bring myself to throw away. Turns out I've been pretty smart all these years!
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John J
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Bigger wheels?

Post by John J »

Nice job.........looks sharp! I been thinking about building a cart, I have the wheels........and now a good design to go with them. If you went with larger diameter wheels it would increase ground clearance. How big are those?

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Post by pat »

I got the wheels at Lowes last year. They've got ball bearing fittings with a 1/2" dia hole. They're 8" dia and 2" wide. The Lowes sku number is 37049 91869.

Today, I picked up some some, er... thingies. I was using nails to hold the loose pieces together, but they tended to fall out. Now I've got these:

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Post by John J »

Pat,

I believe they are called clevis pins. Thanks for posting this stuff. We need more people to post info like your cart. This group, I am sure is a welth of knowledge.

Thanks,
John
Pungo 120 & Adventure 16
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