Replies

1. 
   woodshaver | Jun 12, 2003 05:12am | #1

   hi johncabot,  I think whiteoak, was the wood of choice for wagons.

     decay resistant, strong. if you can find it, chestnut might be a good choice.

         good luck     mark

2. 
   patricks13 | Jun 12, 2003 10:28am | #2

   Yep, not doubt, white oak.

1. 
   jjf | Jun 12, 2003 04:05pm | #3

   Nope, not white oak for the bed.  As a trained wheelwright, white oak is reserved for the frame, spokes and felleos.  The bed boards are actually made of poplar or pine.  The wagon should be kept dry, so no need to worry about decay.  And the frame should be made such that it provide proper support to the bedboards, so no need for strength.  Keep it light, think of the poor horse.

1. 
   fdampier5 | Jun 13, 2003 06:47am | #5

   Along those lines pine weighs something like 3.6 pounds dry  and Oak is 4.9 pounds  (both per bd.ft.)

         Pine will decay quickly and oak won't

     Now I'm gonna use some rough estimates of what is required.. 8'x5' with 3' sides a front and back that should be something like 130 bd. ft. in oak it will weigh something like 130 pounds more than pine..

     remember that's rolling weight not something the horse will need to carry..  the strength of oak versis pine should give the nod to oak over pine..

     Tamarck is another choice but I don't know if it grows there..

1. 
   jjf | Jun 13, 2003 03:10pm | #6

   roll that 130 some odd pounds up and down hills through mud and gravel all day.  Is this going to be a decorative wagon or a wagon that will be used?

1. 
   fdampier5 | Jun 14, 2003 04:13am | #7

   I suppose the Amish use wagons as intended.  Yet your point is made.. With a good coat of paint and store the wagon inside it'll probably last a decade or so before rot takes over..

2. 
   JohnCabot | Jun 14, 2003 05:32am | #8

   Thanks to all who have given precious advice,

   The wagon will be smaller than a working farm wagon, nevertheless will be pulled by a Morgan horse or two ponies, they will carry a load of grandchildren around the farm. The platform will be fiberglass (C beams, using the cheap remnants of a nearby factory), the vertical sides most likely will be oak 1/2 thick, or poplar or pine. My Amish  friends suggested using Ash, but it is not as easy to find as the others.

   Thanks again

   John Cabot

3. 
   BenM | Jun 12, 2003 08:00pm | #4

   An interesting book that provides details on wagons is "The Wheelwright's Shop" by George Sturt.  The book is a reminisence of making wagons back, I think, in the 1930's or thereabouts.

4. 
   blindau | Jun 14, 2003 05:35am | #9

   John, around these parts, which is the Appalachian Mountains of western NC, most people (ie the indigenous mountaineers) use Cucumber for truck beds. The wood is lightweight, tough and moderately weather resistant.  The wood we use for fence posts and landscaping timbers is Locust, which as far as I have heard outlasts everything except pressure treated lumber.  But not many people here would use Locust for the bed and sides of a horse drawn wagon because of the weight factor.

   Bill

1. 
   JohnCabot | Jun 15, 2003 12:41am | #10

   Hi Bill,

   Thank you for your advice. We live in Maryland along the appalachian mountains and I am sure have similar forests. I use considerable amount of Locust not only for fence posts on the farm but also for making raised beds in my garden. They last a long time and are not impregnated with arsenic etc,

   I heard of Cucumber but I have not seen it at the various saw mills in the areas. I will be interested in using it.

   Thanks again

   John Cabot