My el cheapo 2 wheeler just died, and I am shopping around for a new one.
Since you all are talking about shovels, I thought this might fit in, and maybe I can gather some good advice.
I need a heavy duty model (500 lb capacity) with 8 or 10″ wheels, and I’d like one where the handle collapses, to make it more manageable to haul around. I’d rather have aluminum than steel (lighter).
I already have one of those folding 2 wheelers, which is good for some stuff, but not heavy enough to replace the one that broke.
I know about Magliners — where you can make up your own 2 wheeler out of their various components — but they don’t seem to have one with a collapsible handle.
Anybody got some good leads, suggestions?
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“It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts.”
John Wooden 1910-
Replies
...and while we're at it - Where can you get tire tubes for those hand-truck wheels? Anybody know?
What size wheel? Try Gemplers. http://www.gemplers.com/a/groups/tubes-small.asp?UID=200511271736256095335621
Edited 11/27/2005 7:02 pm ET by MarkH
Northern Tools has a pretty good selection of hand trucks. I don't know what they have for collapsible models, and a lot of their stuff is made offshore, but at least some of it seems to be of good quality (click on 'materials handling' when you get to the website.) http://www.northerntool.com . I believe they sell inner tubes as well, although they sell complete wheel/tire assemblies so cheaply it's hardly worth fooling around with the old ones.
I get catalogs at work all the time from http://www.globalindustrial.com, and they carry a bunch of hand carts as well.
Thanks for links. Northern's selection is limited, but Global has one or two promising models -- but still not quite what I am looking for.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
You have a Graingers nearby? Ours had about 30 models to pick from, more choice than I needed. But hey, options aren't bad.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Budweiser truck on delivery day at the local filling station, they all have em on the front bumper/// alum, strong and free! Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Everything looks like a nail, to a hammer"
paid $20 at elchepo store. 600lbs cap, and have carried that much.not fancy but does the job
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Sam's Club has a very well designed one that converts into a 4 wheel cart .
ANDYSZ2
I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
Edited 11/27/2005 6:19 pm by ANDYSZ2
The Sam's club model is decent, 600lb capacity in 4 wheel mode, and 1000lb capacity in vertical mode. Retails for around $80 or so.Renaissance Restorations llcVictorian Home Restoration Serviceshttp://www.renaissancerestorations.com
Half a ton capacity...On a hand-truck ?Does that hand truck come with a pair of rose-colored glasses ?...And a Schwartzeneger clone.LOL;o)
"If we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." - Edith Wharton
http://www.wescomfg.com/ht.htm
I have the Mini Cobra.
Made in USA
The Cobra line looks good. But I am still hoping to find something where the handle will collapse, and the nose piece will flip up -- so the sthing can be stored in my van more easily.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
The nose piece flips up on the Mini Cobra.
It also converts to a 4 wheel cart.
It fits in my van, standing up, tied off to the shelf, just fine.
Is this the one?http://www.wescomfg.com/minicobrafold.jpghttp://www.wescomfg.com/minicobradown.jpgMind if I ask if you bought it locally or online -- and how much they cost?Thanks.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
That's it. I bought it locally, and it wasn't cheap.
But, it fit my requirements, and it works well. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
I paid $260 locally, but they have gone up since then. Somewhere around there online, but maybe no tax.
for a very small unit that's still rated to 275lbs, check out the Ruxxac brand carts.They are about 3" thick when folded and about 4' tall when setup. They make two models - an extended nose and a standard nose. The extended nose version has a 17" nose so it's great for a lot of things.These are not bang em up handcarts, but will hold quite a bit and fold to about nothing.They have lifetime guarantee, are made in Germany, and are very easy to get free repair parts from the company.Update: Just found out that they have a jumbo model - rated to 575lbs. Here are a couple of pictures showing the standard and jumbo. Looks like the jumbo model sells for about $200.We've had one of the extended standard duty models and it's taken a beating for many years.JT
I used one of these yesterday to help move a very heavy old antique buffet. I hadn't seen a set of these in years. These work really well and can be used for lifting and moving a lot of different items:http://www.vandaking.com/us-shop/index.html?loadfile=catalog4_0.html
So many ways to move a piano ...................Did you notice the "stair climber" dolly for $1500 ???********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I actually have one of these things -- the lighter weight Ruxxac. Doesn't really replace a regular 2 wheel hand truck, but I would also highly recommend them for schlepping various stuff. I've been keeping my eyes open for some deep, stackable bins, that would make this cart even more useful. I paid about $100 for mine -- from Lee Valley, as I recall.EDIT: BTW, I am still futzing around with your idea for a router insert in the Bosch 4000. I've about given up on using my Rousseau plate, and am thinking about getting the Woodpecker (because of the leveling screws), which I recall is the one you used. If you haven't done so already, you really should write this up and send it around to the wwing mags.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Edited 11/28/2005 7:05 pm by nikkiwood
Harbor Freight has el cheapo hand trucks that are rated for 600lbs (they often have them on sale for 50% off):
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37520
They also have inner tubes as well as tires and tire/wheel assemblies -
enter "tire" or "inner tube" in the "find by key word" dialogue box at the upper left of their screen.
I have not seen aluminum hand trucks that I thought would hold up to 600 lbs and the lighter duty ones that I have seen were significantly more pricey than their steel counterparts. Would like to have one though...
Even though it may not be what you're looking for, I vote for the Magliner. i have one from my wholesale food delivering days, its one good unit.
My personal choice are the types that do not have pnuematic tires. I have an appliance cart thaT can carry heavy weights though the llifting plate is very small. I have found many times where I have borrowed a cart with pnuematic tires that one of the tires had less air in one than the other and using it created more problems than it solved and there was NEVER an air pump around to correct the problem. Give me solid tires anytime.
roger
If it's for job site use, and the OP normally has a compressor there, a tire filler from an auto parts place would solve the problem. You could also check your trucks' tires while you're at it. I have a pneumatic on the wheelbarrow, which needs to be filled every time it gets used.
-- J.S.
You're right about the pneumatic tires, you have to keep the pressure equal and even then the load is bouncy. It worked well for what I bought it for and it still comes it in handy. Magliner does make hard rubber wheels too.
I've found that even when both tires are equally inflated still cause me heaps of trouble. I use an appliance cart because I sometimes I carry really heavy loads and the weight distribution is not level so more weight goes onto one tire more than the other. Of course if you are carrying things like boxes and the like evenly inflated tires work fine...............until one leaks. Of course you never notice it until it's too late.
I've been on worksites where there is a compressor and the guys who own the compressor are running tools and NEVER have an air chuck. Why would they?
roger
Jeez, I have a couple air chucks. The first one I got free, demoing a gas station in 1978. Back in the early '70's there used to be like two or three times the number of gas stations we have now. The second is a long reach that I had to buy when I got the F-350 dually. Most any auto parts place has them for not much money.
-- J.S.
Yes, the wheelbarrow tires on the job sites are usually flat or almost there.
Which is why I carry an inflator/jump starter in the van. There must be something you can fill them with to prevent this. Still looking for it.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a 6" hand truck fitted out with a charger stand and two outlets for the job. Try to get those 6" wheels over the usual obstructions on a job site.
Experience proved that I really needed something like a 4WD around the average framing project, so I went to Harbor Freight and they had a nice steel one on sale. It has 13" wheels, 1.25" steel tube frame and is quite heavy duty.
I carry the gear for it in a series of Stanely rolling work boxes and Brute 20, 32g trash cans.
This one I kitted out with a fixture that provides outlets, has a fold down charger shelf, a flip up writing shelf, space for three levels, one framing square, a work light on a mast (as needed), an umbrella (as needed) and rails that hold modules on the front (if I build them).
For work with flat surfaces, I bought a combination rig that will be a hand truck or a platform wagon. It has four milk cartons on rails and works so well as a platform wagon that I bolted it into that shape full time.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Sounds like a great -- and efficient system. Got any pics?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Got pix. Question is where and on which laptop. I will look.
What I lack is an understanding of how to post same here.
Tutorial, anyone.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
To find a good one for cheap, you might check out the auction page in your local newspaper. All kinds of businesses get sold off, and have hand trucks in the mix. I'm still using one that I got at an auction years ago for $25. It all depends on whether anybody else there also wants the hand truck.
-- J.S.