Not that long ago I bought a smaller wheelbarrow to replace the old heavy one with the blown out tire. Ok maybe it was 5 years but it did not have oak handles maybe they were pine or some white wood. Anyway one handle broke in two places. Now while I was looking at how to replace the handles I came on and idea that the old handles were too short for tall people. So I added 8 inches to the new ones. Have some 4x4 treated from a playhouse I tore down when we moved in here. I cut them down to close to 2x2 which is at least half again bigger than the old handles.

 

 

First handle off and shaping the new one with a draw knife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First handle installed and second ready to install. Note I did paint silver.Just happened to be the most abundant color I have,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now you can see the extra length and overall size comparison with the old handle. I just hope they don't rot and the life of this one nears the 30 plus of the old one.

Good idea with the paint.  It seems to me that my 40 year old wheelbarrow has longer handles and a different angle.  As in higher than what I have seen offered at various places.  

Like the longer handle idea!

If you have a wheel barrow like I have, the long handles will not handle concrete. My handles are ash but then looking at your wheel barrow it looks like a tinker toy. What do you do with it????? 

3 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

If you have a wheel barrow like I have, the long handles will not handle concrete. My handles are ash but then looking at your wheel barrow it looks like a tinker toy. What do you do with it????? 

Mostly used in yard and bringing in firewood. And no never did concrete. The old one is much larger and I was a little disappointed in how thin the metal on the newer one is. Don't have the strength I used to for that big one loaded to overflow with wood either.

Nice work on the handles Gerald.

Good work on the new handles----I however have arrived at a point where I will never again use such a device----has something to do with age 87.

 

21 hours ago, Gerald said:

the old handles were too short for tall people.

I'm only 5'6", but most wheelbarrow handles nowadays are even too short for ME! I'm getting tired of scraping my shins on that cross-bar. Good idea on the longer handles. BTW, there;s an old green wheelbarrow around here someplace that dad bought around 1965. It's carried TONS of wet concrete, lord knows how many heavy rocks and loads of gravel, soil, manure.... you name it! It has its original oak handles and the original tire still holds air! Not bad for 55 years!!

 

Edited December 25, 20205 yr by HARO50

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

It's carried TONS of wet concrete

 

 

Yeah mine has seen similar use.  Lots of concrete poured in last 10 years on outside projects.  

Dad came from a long line of masons, the kind that mixed concrete by hand to build those European stone houses. Some of that must have rubbed off on him! And MOST of that mixing became MY job. But the knowledge has come in handy on several occasions!

On 12/24/2020 at 4:11 PM, Gerald said:

I just hope they don't rot and the life of this one nears the 30 plus of the old one.

 

Nice job on the handles.  When it hits 29 years let me know and I'll make plans to come down and break a beer over it with you to celebrate the 30!

Gerald, that is a great idea about the length of the handles.  It also looks very good.  One thing that I do with tool handles, is coat with paste wax every year.  It's amazing how that stuff turns water.  I have not replaced a handle in over 25 years.  And, it always feels good, like a good used handle.  Thanks for the nudge, I need to sand the bottom of mine from carrying rocks and bricks and repaint.  Way to go!

2 hours ago, FlGatorwood said:

Gerald, that is a great idea about the length of the handles.  It also looks very good.  One thing that I do with tool handles, is coat with paste wax every year.  It's amazing how that stuff turns water.  I have not replaced a handle in over 25 years.  And, it always feels good, like a good used handle.  Thanks for the nudge, I need to sand the bottom of mine from carrying rocks and bricks and repaint.  Way to go!

I like the wax idea but I think the rot comes at the bolt holes where water seeps in around the bolt. But the old one was indoors for 8years when I had room. Who knows maybe if I can turn all the wood I have in the shop I can move it in now