A simple wheelbarrow usually costs between €35 and €70. The cost of building your own is around €20 to €30. That alone speaks for building a wheelbarrow yourself. Anyone who still enjoys crafting challenges has found the perfect project. In our assembly instructions, we explain step by step how to build a wheelbarrow yourself.

A wheelbarrow made of wood can also have a purchased wheel

Where can I get the wheel from?

A wheelbarrow consists of three elements: the wheel, the axle that connects the wheel to the wheelbarrow body and the body. Both the box and the axle can be easily screwed together from wood, but it's a bit more complicated with the wheel.
It is therefore advisable to buy the bike from a specialist dealer or online. The prices are between 13 and 25€ depending on the size. Alternatively, you can also use a tree disc that is as round as possible as a wheel. In order for this to work well, you should provide it with a metal ring, which, however, requires the necessary tools and some knowledge.

Build a wheelbarrow yourself step by step

  • battery screw
  • drilling machine
  • possibly staples
  • paint brush
  • wheelbarrow wheel
  • metal rod
  • resistant wooden slats for the axis
  • wooden panels for the box
  • saw
  • possibly pond liner
  • eco-friendly paint

1. Make axis

First make an almost triangular axle and attach the wheel to the narrowest angle. The wheel should ideally run on a metal rod that you screw to the axle on both sides. Screw several crossbars onto the axle to which you will later attach the box.

2. Make box

Now build the box in the desired size and screw it onto the crossbars of the axle.

3. Handles

You can include the handles in the construction of the axle and fasten them diagonally upwards as an extension of the same (like on a “real” wheelbarrow) or you can attach them to the box.

4. Lay out the foil

Do you want to transport fine sand or something similar with your wheelbarrow? Then you should make sure that it cannot slip through the cracks. So line your wheelbarrow completely with pond liner, let it lap a little over the edge and staple it to the sides.

Alternatively, you can simply paint your wheelbarrow inside and out with an environmentally friendly paint to protect the wood from dirt and weather. Even if you line your wheelbarrow with pond liner, it is advisable to paint it on the outside.

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