Miniature Red River cart

[rollingb]

Chuck,.... thanks for the links! :rt th

[Minnesota Mike]

Bountyhunter, this "think'n" about the Metis carts is something fairly new to me, but I tend to agree with your think'n in the way of using different woods for uneven "wear". A person sure wouldn't want the wheels and axle BOTH, wear'n out at the same time.

I don't know if I'll ever get such a project (as building a Metis cart) started, but it sure is interesting just think'n about it.

If you ever do - please post some photos. It should be really be something to see.

r/
MM

[sse]

Sounds like a neat project, rollingb, and I want a ride when you're done with it...

[rollingb]

Sounds like a neat project, rollingb, and I want a ride when you're done with it...  )

[Sir Michael]

Who's suppl'n the the go juice?

[boardilly]

I always heard they used red gum tree wood for solid wheels.  Dilly

[rollingb]

I always heard they used red gum tree wood for solid wheels.  Dilly

We don't have Red Gum trees in this part of the country (the Great Plains), but we do have some Cottonwood trees, which are heavy and soft when "green",... but light-weight and hard when dry.

[woodman]

Have been thinking about solid wheels here lately for a cannon project(carranade).
   Cottonwood would work fine for some solid wheels. After looking at some carts that are still around over in the San luis Valley. Looked like they used what was readily available. Some had Cottonwood, some where Doug Fir.
  But what they all had in common where the wheels we're constructed out of planking sawn out to around 2"-3" ,layed at a 45 degree to each other pinned with pegs, some where nailed and clinched with square nails.
   Woodman

[Riley/MN]

HEY RONDOOOOO!!

You ever build that cart?

[Riley/MN]

SO, I was up to Winnipeg last week, and guess what I saw?



This is the home of the Red River cart - they are all over the place! I got lotsa pictures, but was not able to measure, etc. I still hope to find some plans on line....

Oh, the axles were maple, the hubs were elm, and the felloes were oak, as were the tungs. The rest of the cart was made from whatever was handy, and could be repaired on the trail....

[sse]

Cool.  a good size pooch, or woman outta be able to pull that thing...LOL

[Riley/MN]

HA, The ones I saw were actually full scale ox-sized carts. Now, I did meet a gal once.....

[cb]

Riley - These folks advertise a Red River cart plan for $10.00 USD
http://ruralheritage.com/plans/planlist.htm

[Riley/MN]

Thanks Chuck - That's an old link, though. Their new one shows the plans for $20  -my copy is en-route!

They got a lotta stuff! http://www.wildhorsebooks.com/

[Uncle Russ]

Wish ya could get that ol' Potlicker Rondo to respond to this thread.
I ain't heard nothing from him in something like a Coons age..him and his old Mule Molly, I think that was her name.
Miss them two sumpin awful bad. Sure would like to hear from the old boy.

Uncle Russ...