Wheelbarrow Handles

[cabinetman]

This turned out to be one of those Saturday afternoon projects. I never thought I'd be making wheelbarrow handles. Who ever does? Anyway it would have been pretty simple to just hotfoot to HD and get an all new wheelbarrow for $45, but that doesn't impress the wife. What does impress her is me beating on my bare chest bellowing out a Tarzan yell. Anyway, it's not always the easy way out that's important.

This first picture shows the rotted out handles. Other than a straight piece comprising the handle, there is a loose wedge piece fitted under the straight piece, that levels out the wheelbarrow, which also rotted out. The handle/wedge is probably cheaper to manufacture than one single piece.
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The next picture shows one of the new handles. I made them from "Thompsonized" 2x4's. I cut the handle including the wedge out of one piece. I figured this would be more sturdy and have less areas to have gaps that could rot.
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And finally, the whole shebang back together. Thanks for looking.
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[LCHIEN]

hey, that's a good project. We should fix more stuff than replace and throw away and end up in the dump.
I have an old WB that my father gave me, that must now be as old as I am, and I was born in 1952. Anyway I've left it outdoors for the last 15 years and the wheel bearings froze. I borrowed a neighbors WB and it worked fine but he had it for a year and the bin had begun to rust thru in places. I ordered a new wheel for mine and fixed it now, the galvanized bin might last another 50 years - it has a bit of surface rust but its still pretty solid. It has steel handles and the rubber grips were crumbly - have to get some bicycle grips I guess.

[Hellrazor]

You should place a plastic or rubber washer/shim between the wood and the metal. This will help keep an air gap and allow the wood to dry out.

[shoottx]

I had hoped for a hotrod paint job on the tub

The repair was very cool

[Uncle Cracker]

Nice work. I rehabbed mine a couple of years ago using Yellawood PT. It's a poly tub, so that's dealt with the weather no problem, but I also replaced the bladder tire with a HF solid urethane one. Tired of having to air it up every time I need to use it.

[Pappy]

Good save, CMan! Did that to a set of post hole diggers once. New handles were some mystery hardwood I had on hand that lasted a few more years.

[Stytooner]

I have been through that project before. I needed to grind off all the old bolts. The handles were still okay in my case, though they need replacing now. I replaced the tub and wheel at that time.
Most tool handles are hardwood. I would just be careful or load that one light. I use mine for concrete mixing mostly, or at least used to. Not so much of that anymore. For that kind of duty, hardwood all the way.
Looks good though. Should last awhile. I noticed you didn't have any knots in the handles, which would have shortened lifespan.

[cabinetman]

Nice work. I rehabbed mine a couple of years ago using Yellawood PT. It's a poly tub, so that's dealt with the weather no problem, but I also replaced the bladder tire with a HF solid urethane one. Tired of having to air it up every time I need to use it.

I have that same problem with the tire losing air. Do those solid tires track in the sand as well as a pneumatic one?

I have been through that project before. I needed to grind off all the old bolts. The handles were still okay in my case, though they need replacing now. I replaced the tub and wheel at that time.
Most tool handles are hardwood. I would just be careful or load that one light. I use mine for concrete mixing mostly, or at least used to. Not so much of that anymore. For that kind of duty, hardwood all the way.
Looks good though. Should last awhile. I noticed you didn't have any knots in the handles, which would have shortened lifespan.

I think the old handles were Mahogany, or some very dark wood. I had to cut up what was left to get them into the garbage and they were dark all the way through. I sifted through the 2x4 stock to get the best they had. I planned the pieces so there would be no knots at the handle ends. There was some light surface rust on the tub, and I considered doing something to the tub, but then said why bother.

I left it exposed to the weather which accelerated the deterioration. I figure on either keeping it in one of my sheds, or keeping it covered with a tarp.
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[Uncle Cracker]

I have that same problem with the tire losing air. Do those solid tires track in the sand as well as a pneumatic one?

Mine does a good job... It's got knobby tread. I know some solids got grooved tread, and I don't know if that's real good for sand...