The Bakery Wagon

[OldKat]

@goodcompanion 18761 wrote:

That is a good point and I think you are right. I may need to swap these shafts for ones with a “riser” in the rear. Part of this is probably due to the fact that I swapped the original wheel (44″) for a 34″ wheel, thus losing 5″ of height. Plus I am using a tall horse.

Yes; this set of shaves was designed for a higher wheeled rig, maybe something similar to a Meadowlark cart. Interesting running gear. Maybe you posted it earlier, but if so I don’t recall your saying … where did you get the running gear for this wagon?

[goodcompanion]

The running gear came from a light “market wagon” with a bench seat and an open bed. It had 44″ wheels on the front and 48″ in the rear. I moved the front wheels to the rear and had new 34″ wheels made. In making the attachment blocks on the box I accounted for the height of each spring with the new wheel sizes for a level installation.

I also added booster springs directly over the front and rear axles, to help out the fore-and-aft “market wagon” springs. Which I guess is a real name for that kind of spring. Seems to have worked since it is springy, neither too squishy nor too stiff.

We might try bending our own shafts using a steam pipe and the heat of a hot fire in the bakery oven. Another source of shafts is a long way away, they cost money, and we want to get this show on the road. Unless someone nearby reading this has a set of double bend draft size shafts lying around….

Also spoke to the Vergennes city manager about having the city drill a hole for a pvc pipe at the curbside where I’ll be vending. I can plunk my own hitching post into the socket on arrival and take it with me when I leave. Seems like a decent idea though I’ve never seen it done.

[Andy Carson]

I wonder if you might be able to make an “S” shaped riser out of steel that would fit between the shafts and the front axle. A metal working shop could probably make one pretty quickly if you (like me) don’t have all the equipment to do this. It might be pretty cheap and strong too. You could probably paint it green and no one would know the difference… Just thoughts…

[OldKat]

@Countymouse 18796 wrote:

I wonder if you might be able to make an “S” shaped riser out of steel that would fit between the shafts and the front axle. A metal working shop could probably make one pretty quickly if you (like me) don’t have all the equipment to do this. It might be pretty cheap and strong too. You could probably paint it green and no one would know the difference… Just thoughts…

I’d bet this could be done, too. Like he said, no one would even know the difference … or at least VERY few people would & they probably would never bring it up. Were it me, I would go this route until I could get a set with the double bend in it. I have an extra set sized for draft horses, but you are a bit far away from me or I would drop by and loan it to you!

[OldKat]

@goodcompanion 18795 wrote:

The running gear came from a light “market wagon” with a bench seat and an open bed. It had 44″ wheels on the front and 48″ in the rear. I moved the front wheels to the rear and had new 34″ wheels made. In making the attachment blocks on the box I accounted for the height of each spring with the new wheel sizes for a level installation.

I also added booster springs directly over the front and rear axles, to help out the fore-and-aft “market wagon” springs. Which I guess is a real name for that kind of spring. Seems to have worked since it is springy, neither too squishy nor too stiff.

We might try bending our own shafts using a steam pipe and the heat of a hot fire in the bakery oven. Another source of shafts is a long way away, they cost money, and we want to get this show on the road. Unless someone nearby reading this has a set of double bend draft size shafts lying around….

Also spoke to the Vergennes city manager about having the city drill a hole for a pvc pipe at the curbside where I’ll be vending. I can plunk my own hitching post into the socket on arrival and take it with me when I leave. Seems like a decent idea though I’ve never seen it done.

So you added the elliptical springs; front and back?

[goodcompanion]

@OldKat 18799 wrote:

So you added the elliptical springs; front and back?

Yes, that’s right. They are wagon seat springs. The box is more topheavy than the previous one so I think they help anchor and stabilize it a bit.

[goodcompanion]

So, got that problem with the shafts sorted out. You can see in the last picture how I did it, scarfing the original shaves with an S curve I made out of laminated pieces of ash. Not bad, eh? Once it is painted no-one will ever know. Bound with iron on both sides of the joint, I don’t think strength will be an issue. It would have been better to order some proper double-bend shaves from Witmer’s, only $45 per pair, but I wasn’t wise to the problem at that point. There is no source of new shafts nearby. The source that is a full day of driving away costs triple what Witmer’s shafts do.

The cargo compartment holds a dozen or more crates (they may be stacked double on the floor) measuring 16″x26″. We made tall (7 1/4″)and shallow (4 1/2″) crates. The tall ones are for large or heavy items like loaves of bread or potatoes. The shallow ones are for pastries (they can be lined with paper–a 18 x 26″ sheet pan liner works great) or, say, leafy greens. The heavier items go on lower shelves, the lighter and more delicate ones up high. The crates all fit in tight and don’t lurch or rattle in transit. The remaining space accomodates two coolers, say, one for meats and one for vegetables. They slide in there without a quarter inch to spare.

Still to go are a canvas horse diaper, a retractable awning, a stowable crate display rack, and lettering and artwork. But at least now we can hit the roads and get some practice.

[near horse]

Wow! Wow! I am truly humbled Erik. That is an outstanding job you’ve done and inspiring as well. Many of us dream but have a hard time bringing it to fruition. You have done both. Also, is Idaho on your route?

Seriously, your biggest concern might be that you won’t be able to haul enough of your product in your wagon because you will certainly be popular and have a good supply of customers. When is your first scheduled sales trip?

[Tim Harrigan]

goodcompanion;18918 wrote:

Still to go are a canvas horse diaper, a retractable awning, a stowable crate display rack, and lettering and artwork. But at least now we can hit the roads and get some practice.

Erik, this is really great. The craftsmanship is truely impressive. Don’t forget the SMV and I see the tail/brake lights but think about a big bank of flashing LEDs. It can get pretty crazy out on the road.

[goodcompanion]

Thanks!

Tim, that is a good idea about the LEDs. The stop/turn lights actually only flash. I added the SMV this afternoon, and took the wagon for a quick run around the neighborhood with my 17 year old perch mare. She was a little nervy, lots of head tossing, but did well. The ride is smooth but the turning radius is still not what I’d hoped–it can turn no sharper than your average car–and the tire rub iron bothers the horse. Still, a good first run. Broke into a trot for a short stretch! Rolls easily even through potholes. It is very fun to drive, a good view too.

We might vend in Vergennes as early as this Saturday afternoon. But I kind of think more practice on public roads is in order, at least another week’s worth, and there are a few other little details regarding harness, poop and pee cleanup kit, etc. Problem is, we have produce ready to sell that will have gone by during that time. I had an idea–what about, just this once, putting the cart on my flatbed and towing it into town with the car. Roll it off, and set it up to vend on the street with a cardboard cut-out horse in front of it, with “REAL HORSE COMING NEXT WEEK” written on the cardboard horse.

[Andy Carson]

Great work!!! Clever idea to bend the ash to fit and you are right that no one will know… Well, expect the people here 🙂 I like the wheat relief too. Nice touch. You might want to keep a close eye on her feet, they wear down really fast on pavement. If you decide to shoe, you’ll definately want some borium (or equivalent) to keep from sliding.

[mitchmaine]

people are going to be so amazed by the cart and the workmanship, no one will miss the horse just yet. nice job. did you laminate the shaft ends? will you letter the sides? great looking job. after that much work, it must have took some courage hooking up and trying it out. one more time, good looking job.

mitch

[goodcompanion]

@mitchmaine 18925 wrote:

after that much work, it must have took some courage hooking up and trying it out.

mitch

You said it. A wreck would have put a damper on my afternoon. In fact you might have heard the hollering and carrying on in Maine.

The S-curve on the shaft ends goes from the axle to the crossbar, where it is joined to the old straight shafts. The ironwork on those old straight shafts I removed and replaced–that is some really old ironwork, too! All hand wrought, not manufactured, the matching pairs are similar but not identical. I love that.

Anyway, my laminated s-curve is made up of twenty or so layers of ash glued up and the bejeezus clamped out of it, forcing it to dry in the requisite shape. My first attempt was a reject, too twisted, but it might make an interesting art piece.

[Andy Carson]

I don’t know if you have the interest or how much money might be in it, but have you thought about making/restoring carts and wagons as a side buisness? Your work is really impressive…

[Gabe Ayers]

Hi Erik,
Impressive craftsmanship on your wagon, the first hitch must have been nervous journey. Any chance you could get the rig to the Field Days this year? You could always fill it with meat and baked goods to sell and help offset some of the expense of transport! It would be nice addition to the event and we could see all your hard work up close.I’ll bring you a clutch kit for the subaru if you need it! Thanks for all the photo’s. Kevin

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