Instructions for Assembling a Horse Cart

Hose cards are assmebled with various of wood.

A horse cart is typically constructed using wood and is used to transport one or two people. A typical cart is the shape of a box with a bench for a seat. You can build your own horse cart from materials that you find at your local home improvement store. To do this you will need to first determine the dimensions for the horse cart.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• 2-by-4 boards
• Circular saw
• 4-inch by 4-inch beams
• 4-foot by 8-foot plywood sheets
• Table saw
• Screws
• Power drill
• Wood glue
• Wheels
• Bolt
• Socket wrench

Instructions

Prepare the Material

1. Determine the measurements for the horse cart. The width needs to be big enough for two adults to sit, such as 3 feet. The height of the bench seat needs to be 17 ½ inches. The total length of the cart should measure 3 feet

2. Measure a 2-by-4 board to 17 ½ inches with the tape measure and make a cut mark with the pencil. Cut the board using the circular saw. Repeat this step to cut a two additional 17 ½ inch boards.

3. Measure and cut a 2-by-4 board to 12 ½ inches. Repeat this step to cut two more 12 ½-inch boards.

4. Measure and cut two additional 2-by-4 boards to 36 inches.

5. Measure and cut a 4-inch by 4-inch beam to 36 inches.

6. Measure a section that is 36-inches by 36-inches on a 4-foot by 8-foot plywood sheet. Make a cut mark with the pencil and cut the board with the table saw. This is the floor of the cart.

1. Place a 36-inch 2-by-4 board on each end of the 3-foot by 3-foot piece of plywood. Secure the boards to the plywood with screws, using the power drill.

2. Place the 36-inch long, 4-inch by 4-inch beam -- and a 14-inch long, 4-by-4 beam -- on the ground in a "T" shape. The 14-foot beam needs to be in the middle of the 36-inch beam.

3. Place the plywood board with the 2-by-4 boards attached on top of the 4-inch by 4-inch beams. Secure the plywood to the beams with screws.

4. Measure and cut two pieces of plywood that measure 18 ¼-inches by 36-inches. Place the plywood on the edge of the 2-by-4 boards on the floor of the cart. Secure the wood together with screws. These will be the sides of the cart.

5. Place a 17 ½ inch and a 12 ½ inch 2-by-4 board together in an "L" shape. Secure the boards together with screws. Repeat this step with the remaining 17-inch and 12 ½-inch 2-by-4 boards.

6. Place these boards against the back of the cart on the floor. Place one "L" on each side of the cart and one in the middle. This is the frame for the seat. Secure the boards to the plywood with screws.

7. Measure and cut a piece of plywood to 12 ½-inches by 36-inches. Place the piece of plywood on top of the 2-by-4 framing. Secure the plywood to the 2-by-4 boards with screws.

8. Measure and cut two pieces of plywood that measure 13 ¼-inches by 18 ¼-inches.

9. Apply wood glue around the side of the plywood and 2-by-4 seat frame. Set the plywood on the side of the cart. Secure the plywood to the cart frame with screws.

10. Drill a pilot hole in the center of each end of the 36-inch long, 4-inch by 4-inch beam. Place a wheel on each end of the beam and insert a bolt. Tighten the bolt with the socket wrench.

Tips & Warnings

• Add additional bracing if needed to strengthen the joints on the cart.

References

• 42Explore2: Wagons & Other Horse-drawn Vehicles
• HorseCartPlans: Build your own horse cart, using these plans
• CAAOnline: The Carriage Association of America

Resources

• WildHorseBooks: John Thompson Plans page 1