Broomstick Chariot

So, it all started from making a bamboo trailer with our host. Then, as usual, I started thinking how to improve it. As I appreciate  what Carry Freedom does, I asked them for permission to play with their design. The answer was friendly: “Do what you have to do, we are with you”. So, here it is.

Bill of materials and budget:

1. Two 21″ wheels, borrowed form our host. New axles, bearings, tubes: 18 Eur (new complete wheels would cost 50 Euro)
2. Eight broom-handles 130 x 3 cm from gardening store: 18.40 Eur
3. A pack of zip-ties: 4 Euro
4. Screw clamps, 30 cm of steel plastic-coated cable, a shackle (my super-minimalist Witch Hitch): ~4 Euro
5. Wheel brackets: four pieces of 5 x 25 cm 2 mm mild steel (zinc coated), manually bent, drilled and jigsaw cut (very crudely): 5 Euro
6. Old tubes (joint liner), bracket tightening machine screws (4 pcs.) — reclaimed.

TOTAL: 49.40 Euro, one full day of work (including siesta nap in hammock).

Extras: baptizing of the chariot — 4.40 Eur (3 beers).

Grand Total: 53.80 Eur

Minimal tool set (assuming steel is cut to size already):

• Jigsaw with steel-cutting blade
• Drill with steel drill bit 9 mm
• Knife
• Pliers
• Side cutters
• Wrenches
• Workbench
• Clamps etc.
• Frame squaring rig.

Thanks to good planning and squaring rig, I needed no help (as it happens with classic lashing, where you need extra hands to hold the knots).

See the photostory:

I give you the Broomstick Chariot!

First bracket is getting shape

Drilling first hole

First stage complete

Four brackets ready, if crude.

Squaring rig for outer frame.

Zip-tie keeps the world together!

Firm and flexible.

First wheel on!

Looks solid!

Ready for the second wheel!

Ready for the test drive.

The Witch Hitch!

And this is how it works.

Time for the test run.

So far, so good.

What else to do?

This version will be our main cargo transport for a while. I plan to do some upgrades, testing use of cardboard as a structural, waterproofed material:

• Cargo platform floor and raised sides.
• Cargo platform cover.
• Mud-guards.
• Folding support to keep trailer level, when unhitched.
• Replace borrowed wheels with new pair (needs 50 Eur donation).
• Antenna with a pennant.
• Lights.

Next version, funding permitting, will be made of wooden square beams (3 x 3 cm), joined using xyz nodes. That one will be ready for sale both as kits and ready-made, acryl varnished and all. For community (group) orders, I hope to put CSM in action.

Meanwhile, have fun with the WitchMobile!