Machine Builders Network+ Forums Thread Like Summary - just another yet another handtruck re/build

Ok so Im getting tired of building these handtrucks, this one is an oldie built about 10yrs ago,thrown together for a job and put away since last year when I used it once and then had to put tires on it..So the handle wasn't thought out too well,it was a section of 1"dia steel pipe spanning the uprights between hanger straps..the clearance wasnt great enough for your hand and wrist to clear the top cross-support while holding it when reclining the truck and it would hit the top of your hands and possibly cause wrist injury if you didnt know it was coming..so here we go with another hand truck surgery session..I have some 1"well pipe I built the other handtrucks from, I think I'll just mod the handle and make it more comfortable to use.


So I cut the old handle off by oxy-acetyl burning the welds that held on the handle straps..kinda went too deep with the oxygen and burnt some of the upright angles. I also want to add some reinforcements to the axles like I did to the others,maybe use some 5/8" hot roll round as upright braces from the axle to the upright angles.

More to come on this as it progresses

so I got the handles made up and installed..chose to go with the dual pipe handle like the other trucks I just built.



First I cut the old top wrist buster crosspiece off the top of the truck(sawzall)..used the last of the 1"diameter steel pipe to make a set of curved handles..and used some 3/4"dia pipe to make a crossmember between the two new handle pipes. good and strong in case we have to drag a gun safe up a set of steps..turned some end caps from 1-1/2" scrap round stock and welded them into the top ends of the handle pipes....I used 1/2" hot rolled round to make some back braces from the axle tube up to the handles..These give it a lot of strength for tilting back a heavy file cabinet,etc..
Then slathered on a heavy coat of the surplus grey battleship paint.

So I'm DONE-D-O-N-E- making hand trucks for a while..on to something fun hopefully

yeah I bought my cylinders like 25years ago at the LWS about 10miles from me,most are 235cuft,started off renting/leasing then on a yearly basis,but then just bought 'em..I think back then they were like $175/ea to 'purchase'-then you just bring them back for exchange when dead,and just pay for contents(gas). they have their own oxygen plant there for oxygen cyls but get the acetyl and mix shield gases from Praxair, they hydrotest and refill the LWS's tanks under contract