Measure, refine, test

There are times when this project seems to make one step forward and two back. It's just that it is important to be sure you have things in order before you start cutting . . . or aligning . . . or even something as simple as purchasing hardware. Today's ongoing effort centers on a clear understanding of how this trailer will finally come together and what effects the various parts and sequence of construction will have on the outcome.

For example, I thought today would be devoted to simply mounting the wheel brackets on the frame members. A careful, or at least second, look at the jigs I created for the wheel brackets showed them misaligned. Nothing significant, but a potential problem as the trailer is assembled. One centimeter of misalignment at the beginning could result in a great deal of problems when the trailer is rolling down the road.

Measure twice

I finally got down to determining how many beams I would need and whether or not the ones I had would do the trick. It's not always obvious. At first glance, I thought I did not have enough lumber for the job. But, as I evaluated the various parts, I realized that I could make the entire trailer out of the four beams that I have. So it is.

Tomorrow, I start the actual fabrication. I'll be cutting out the metal bits. And, I will be adjusting the dimensions provided by Carry Freedom so that the metal parts fit more closely with the wood. You'll see it more clearly as I post pictures.

Wood is good

While this may be titled "Bamboo Bike Trailer Project," it looks like my particular trailer will be built of wood. I discovered, or finally paid attention to, a cache of excess 2 x 2 lumber used for two other projects. As noted in earlier posts, I would endeavor to use what was available rather than purchase new materials.

According to the project plans provided by Carry Freedom, bamboo, steel, and wood are all acceptable or preferable materials. The plans show 2 x 2 lumber being used with a notch cut for added stability. The lumber I will use is fir or pine, I'm not quite sure. It would be better, I think, to be using hardwoods, but this is a somewhat experimental project. Should this wood prove to be too flexible or not strong enough, I can always salvage the hardware bits and use them with other material.