Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 22
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    adelaide
    Posts
    30

    Default Billy Cart - wheel and axle

    I've just made a 'rough' version of an old style Billy Cart for my sons. I got the 3/8" wheels and axle from Bunnies for about $40 (4 wheels, 2 axles). After about 4km test, they run rough with friction, scrape and are noisy.

    I'm looking for some ideas/suppliers to have a different system where I can use bearings, bigger wheels and hold the wheels in place somehow without using split pins. Seems that many of you in this subforum would eat this question for breakfast!

    Also, I used a bolt to pivot the steering with 2 washers in the middle and two nuts on the end (you know the idea). Any improvements to be made in this area?


  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    45
    Posts
    174

    Default

    You're a top dad for making stuff like this. I'm sure your kids will love it.

    Steering seems fine. Just a question about the way the wheels are attached though. Do you have spring washers underneath those square nuts? Concerned they might loosen up and fall off from all the vibration over time.

  4. #3
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,164

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bjsa06 View Post
    I've just made a 'rough' version of an old style Billy Cart for my sons. I got the 3/8" wheels and axle from Bunnies for about $40 (4 wheels, 2 axles). After about 4km test, they run rough with friction, scrape and are noisy.

    I'm looking for some ideas/suppliers to have a different system where I can use bearings, bigger wheels and hold the wheels in place somehow without using split pins. Seems that many of you in this subforum would eat this question for breakfast!

    Also, I used a bolt to pivot the steering with 2 washers in the middle and two nuts on the end (you know the idea). Any improvements to be made in this area?

    G'day "bjsa",
    Agree with "two40" on the steering, just make sure their are washers between every piece of timber; even an extra nylon washer if you want less friction.
    The double or lock nuts are good to ensure it doesn't come loose; maybe add some loctite thread lock to ensure that it all stays together.
    From the looks of it the wheels are plastic lawn mower style wheels which only have a bush; the bushed wheel is designed for low/low speeds.
    You could either scrounge up an old set of wheel with bearing for the 3/8" dia axle, again installing it with washers for running or buy a new set of wheel with bearings.
    The bigger the wheel the easier to go fast especially with roller bearings over plain ball bearing centres.
    Also add some grease to the axle as you re-assemble the wheels.
    That's my two bobs worth.
    cheers, crowie

    PS = Safety - encourage the kids to wear helmet, shoes, trousers, jacket & gloves once they start on hill top runs, please.
    Gravel rash hirt like all....

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    adelaide
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by two40 View Post
    Do you have spring washers underneath those square nuts? Concerned they might loosen up and fall off from all the vibration over time.
    thanks for the tip, there are no washers under these, will do! It seems as though the bolt holes on the bracket are too close to the axle. Once the nuts move out of square, they rub on the axle making noise & friction.

    On my next version....when I get some bearing wheels.....how do you stop the wheels from moving on the axle? Use a hex screwed bushing on each side of the wheel hub?

    ...and then, how does one attach the axle to the steering pivot timber without using one of those crude brackets (as in my photo above)

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    adelaide
    Posts
    30

    Default

    some more pics of the current billy cart






  7. #6
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,164

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bjsa06 View Post
    thanks for the tip, there are no washers under these, will do! It seems as though the bolt holes on the bracket are too close to the axle. Once the nuts move out of square, they rub on the axle making noise & friction.

    On my next version....when I get some bearing wheels.....how do you stop the wheels from moving on the axle? Use a hex screwed bushing on each side of the wheel hub?

    ...and then, how does one attach the axle to the steering pivot timber without using one of those crude brackets (as in my photo above)
    The brackets are fine just put 2 or 3 washes bewteen the backet & the wheel I the wheel & the split pin on the other side.
    You could reverse the bolt to have the bolts wide flat head adjacant to the alxe then recess the nut into the timber on the top side, along with some glue to keep it secure.
    Hope that makes sense.....cheers, crowie

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    1,156

    Default

    I have bought bearing wheels from Bunnings before. It was a few years ago, so they may not have them now. Another idea i have seen used before would be wheelie bin wheels. Maybe contact the local council and see if they have old spares you could get? You use U-bolts then to hold the axles on.
    The other day I described to my daughter how to find something in the garage by saying "It's right near my big saw". A few minutes later she came back to ask: "Do you mean the black one, the green one, or the blue one?".

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Peakhurst
    Age
    66
    Posts
    1,173

    Default

    Look fellas, brings back a lot of memories....safety was the last thing on our minds..

    We built our own and from others failures (lots of skin lost) we improved our designs.

    Great stuff this thread....nowdays there are a lot more options.

    As a now dad (I lived through this era) I try and make it (the billy cart) as safe as possible.

    The driver on the other hand got no hope (kids will be kids)

    Now onto your stuff....Steering is fine (rope is what we used).

    Attaching the axle usually involved a heap of nails bent over/around the shaft.

    Yours is lovley. Just add grease (kids love it).

    To stop the head of any of the bolts pulling through use big washers top and bottom.

    To stop the steering fulcrum bolt bolt leaving the scene .. big washers and we used to bash the thread of the bolt so the nut couldn't come off. Nowdays use a nylon lock nut.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    63
    Posts
    847

    Default

    Maybe you guys lived in places with little hills. I grew up in a very hilly Brisbane suburb in the 60-70's. I would avoid bearings in billy cart wheels under most circumstances.
    My memories are that the better wheels and tyres (and generally better constructed carts in general) were always more dangerous than the rough and ready kid-built ones.

    If you anticipate they'll be rolling down hills, make sure your kids can handle the basic model before you upgrade to a speedier version. And make sure their mates know what to do also.

    Different story if you live somewhere dead flat or rolling down a grassy backyard, then you need to do everything you can to reduce rolling resistance. Depending how big your kids are, the wheels and tyres off a "pavement" bike would work well on grass.

    Reading The Bleeder's post brought back memories too. It was years before I realised that a bent nail wasn't really a hardware fitting for pram axles. Also remembered how a surprise lockup in steering would happen on grass and even crush bare feet.
    Last edited by dabbler; 21st May 2012 at 05:27 PM. Reason: added comment

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    1,156

    Default

    If you are going to be seeing it go down decent hills, then a good idea is also to fasten some blocks behind the steering system so it can't turn through too much angle. If kids are moving towards an obsticle, the instinct seems to be to pull hard on the rope. The resulting flip at full speed is usually worse than if they'd just plowed straight into whatever they were driving towards.
    The other day I described to my daughter how to find something in the garage by saying "It's right near my big saw". A few minutes later she came back to ask: "Do you mean the black one, the green one, or the blue one?".

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    63
    Posts
    847

    Default

    I want one.

  13. #12
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is online now Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    11,164

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dabbler View Post
    Maybe you guys lived in places with little hills. I grew up in a very hilly Brisbane suburb in the 60-70's. I would avoid bearings in billy cart wheels under most circumstances.
    My memories are that the better wheels and tyres (and generally better constructed carts in general) were always more dangerous than the rough and ready kid-built ones.

    If you anticipate they'll be rolling down hills, make sure your kids can handle the basic model before you upgrade to a speedier version. And make sure their mates know what to do also.

    Different story if you live somewhere dead flat or rolling down a grassy backyard, then you need to do everything you can to reduce rolling resistance. Depending how big your kids are, the wheels and tyres off a "pavement" bike would work well on grass.

    Reading The Bleeder's post brought back memories too. It was years before I realised that a bent nail wasn't really a hardware fitting for pram axles. Also remembered how a surprise lockup in steering would happen on grass and even crush bare feet.
    YEs I too grew up on Brisbanes northside but there were heaps fewer cars back then.
    I'd like to think I can make the billy cart experience a litttle safer than my days of nearly putting friends into hospital.....though we did survive.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    adelaide
    Posts
    30

    Default

    as many of you are having a trip down memory lane.......here's a clip from this afternoon after school. Not much has changed.

    Keep your Billy Cart ideas coming in. Taking notes.




  15. #14
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Pretty Sally Hill, Wallan Vic
    Age
    84
    Posts
    1,723

    Default

    A few years ago my son told me he was "bored" as
    he and his mates had nothing to do.

    I told him of the days when I had a billycart and would
    spend hours riding down the bush tracks on it. I even
    had a trailer on it which I would load up with sticks,
    tie them on and bring home for the open fire.

    Even more fun was had reversing my billycart and trailer
    between various obstacles, e.g. gum trees which I am
    sure contributed to my ability nowadays to reverse my
    trailer with a load on at the local tip.

    By the way, I could not afford grease so used to raid
    Mum's cupboard and use dripping.

    Allan
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Narooma
    Posts
    107

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by two40 View Post
    You're a top dad for making stuff like this. I'm sure your kids will love it.

    Steering seems fine. Just a question about the way the wheels are attached though. Do you have spring washers underneath those square nuts? Concerned they might loosen up and fall off from all the vibration over time.
    There is a technique for ensuring the nuts won't loosen up - just give them a whack with a hammer. It's called "peening over" where I come from, a technique for making rivets. Uses a ball peen hammer, sadly no longer available. Normal claw hammer will suffice in this case.

    You may want to use two hammers - hold one underheath on the head of the bolt while *gently tapping* the other side.

    The kids will have great fun with this billy cart. brings back memories.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Billy Cart #2
    By mick59wests in forum TOY MAKING
    Replies: 36
    Last Post: 26th June 2009, 12:07 AM
  2. Billy Cart Plan GO Kart
    By AUSSIE in forum TOY MAKING
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 14th June 2009, 08:32 PM
  3. Home made Billy-cart Horror stories.
    By tea lady in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 11th July 2008, 03:11 PM
  4. Replies: 11
    Last Post: 28th May 2008, 04:56 PM
  5. Billy Cart Plans
    By Asquared in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 22nd June 1999, 10:15 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •