DIY Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow helps you to move more materials faster while using less energy.

Yard work and remodeling projects always mean carrying materials from place to place. Moving these loads by hand requires expending energy you could use to complete your project. A wheelbarrow saves time and energy by carrying more materials with fewer trips, and you may be able to save money by making your own wheelbarrow.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic 55 gallon drum
• Reciprocating saw
• Mover's dolly
• Drill with 5/8 inch bimetal bit
• Bolts with nuts and washers (1/2 inch by 2 inches)
• Adjustable wrench
• Safety glasses
• Work gloves

Instructions

1. Cut your 55 gallon drum around the middle with your reciprocating saw. To do this, lay the barrel on its side and hold it still with one foot. Pull the trigger to activate your saw and gradually press the moving blade into the plastic to cut a slit into the plastic. Turn the saw so that the blade goes into the hole and the saw is at a 90 degree angle to the barrel. Continue the cut around the middle of the barrel. Store half of the barrel for a future project.

2. Lay the other half of the barrel onto the dolly blade so that the barrel bottom rests against the load boards and the side of the barrel is on the blade of the dolly. Drill through the center of the side of the barrel and the blade of the dolly. Slide a bolt through the hole. Lay the dolly onto its back and slip a washer and nut onto the bolt. Snug the nut with your wrench.

3. Flip the dolly over so that it rests on the barrel. Drill through the load boards three inches from the end of each load board. Drill through the boards and the barrel. Stand the dolly upright. Slip a bolt through each hole of the barrel. Place a washer onto each bolt on the back of the load boards of the dolly. Twist a nut onto each bolt, and snug the nuts with your wrench to complete the wheel barrow.

References

• Mother Earth News: Will's Indestructible Weekend Wheel Barrow