I have a hay wagon I am going to make a covered wagon just for the Grand kids to camp in. I am planning on using 1/4 x 1" flat bar for the hoops. Any suggestions on the best way to make the brackets that I slip the ends into? I will just screw them into the boards thinking of using the same size flat stock just can't seem to think of how to make them. Any help appreciated. Thanks Randy.

Sounds like you want to make a joggle joint. You can make up a fixture using some of the same stock as the hoops. You'll need a piece on each side on the bottom, and a top striker to force the bar down between the two pieces on the bottom. I'll look and see if I can't find an image or pict that might explain it better.

How about 1/2 round welded to the bows then some pipe that the 1/2 will fit into , weld some flat to the pipe drill to holes and bolt it to the wagon . then drill a hole through the pipe and the round stock add a cotter pin and your done . 

Here's a pic of one way of doing what DSW is talking about, taken from p221 of Alex Bealer's book The Art of Blacksmithing with the Bolt Stock being you 1" x 1/4" bar.

 

Another way can be found in Ch. 15 (starting on p 151) of Alexander Weygers' book The Complete Modern Blacksmith.

I'd suggest using rebar and sliding PVC pipe over it before bending to protect the cover from rust/wear. It's what I use when making conestoga tops for my pickup truck bed.

That's a great idea Thomas !!

To add to the above, the grey PVC electrical conduit pipe is very flexible, especially after it has been out in the sun.  It is very inexpensive at all of the big box home supply stores.

Good point about the grey electrical conduit it has a thinner wall and should flex easy , to add to that, I would use # 3 rebar it has a lot of flex .

Thomas I never thought of that. What size would be best. The wagon is not going to be moved, and I am thinking of running horizontal supports on it also.  think 3/8 would work with the grey PVC over it? Then I'll do the pipe attached to the wagon as Winginit suggests.Whatcha think?

Come to think of it , an old garden hose would work well to cover the rebar .

If you were going to use 1/4x1 why not just bend a foot onto it, and screw it to the deck, or even under the deck...???  I have been thinking a lot about "Functional Fixedness"...

Good morning all

 

Randy, you might consider starting by building side boards and then attaching your bows to them. -grant

Thanks Grant I have sideboards on it. I think I will stay with the flat stock idea. I don't believe I can get the rebar bent good enough to pass the better half's specs. Thanks Randy.

Grant" I love the sheep herder's wagon, I used to see them now and then when I lived down south.

 

About your sign off, it's got me scratching my head. Does it really translate to "no adhesive is dry?" I don't know how true that is, it's sure got me stuck!

 

Please enlighten me.

 

Frosty The Lucky.

Frostman - Nulla tenaci invia est via” - for the tenacious no road is impassable.
 
It's good to see you back; "no adhesive is dry" is very smart. -grant

Here's a pic of one way of doing what DSW is talking about, taken from p221 of Alex Bealer's book The Art of Blacksmithing with the Bolt Stock being you 1" x 1/4" bar.

 

Another way can be found in Ch. 15 (starting on p 151) of Alexander Weygers' book The Complete Modern Blacksmith.

 

A simpler way to make the tooling for the double joggle for your bracket is to use your leg/post vice/vise as the forming tool.

 

Open the jaws to 1 3/4" - 1 7/8" lay your bracket piece across the gap and hammer another length of the 1 x 1/4" onto it as the top tool. If you find you can't keep the bends symmetrical with hammer control, the top tool could have another bit of flat on top to prevent the ends of the bracket kicking up.

 

Experiment with vice gap to get the fit you require for the project

 

Alan

Alan thanks for the tip. I welded me up a jig yesterday that I am going to try today. Grant did you make that sheep herders wagon? Thanks Randy.

I dunno if it helps but this photo of an old Ranch cook came up today.. you can see the ribs attached.. and interestingly the tarp soread out to make a shade for cooking.. (which might be nice for the kids camping)
 


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