Horse Buggy Completed

[EdJ]

[blue duck]

Oh my, that is nice. 

[chuck123wapati]

WOW that was some project! Its is beautiful!

[Chux]

Ummm...what?! 

[LatigoAmigo]

@EdJ That is gorgeous, just like brand new. I don't know much about buggies, but I know that some were manufactured by companies that later developed automobiles. So I'd like to ask: What make is it?

[BDub77]

Well that is just beautiful. Thank you very much for sharing your results. Congratulations on the finished product. If you ever put together a bigger (online) photo album of a more detailed process on this rebuild, I would be very grateful if you post that link here as well. Thanks again.

[Sheilajeanne]

Those 'before' photos make me wonder how you managed to salvage anything at all! So, yes, would be interested in seeing a more detailed description of the rebuild.

Incredible work! I imagine there are very, very few people in N. America capable of doing what you did!

[Sheilajeanne]

Latigo, in the town I grew up in, this: https://www.toronto.com/dealer-profile/cruickshankford/  started out as THIS! http://www.cruikshank.ca/The Cruickshank Descendants.htm

 

Quote

Alexander's nephew, James, appears to be the second to arrive, around 1850. James was the first descendant to marry in Canada - he married Anne Wallace at St James Cathedral in St. Andrews, Ontario in November 1852. James founded the Cruickshank Carriage Works in Weston, reportedly had an undertakers establishment, was the first Justice of the Peace for Weston, and was also the town's first librarian.

Sadly, the car dealership recently gave up the Cruikshank name, and is now Weston Ford. They also donate an old Cruikshank carriage and two sleighs to the Weston Historical Society, which uses them in special events: 

 

Edited August 22, 2020 by Sheilajeanne

[salvo]

Very impressive work!

[Scoutmom103]

Very nice.  Love the choice of leather for the seat.  It looks great.

 

[rleather]

Thank you, for sharing a beautifully restored piece of history that almost got away.

[rodneywt1180b]

Wow!  Beautiful work! 

[DomsLeather]

Very nice work. 

[WyattEarp]

Realy a great restoration. Amazing

[EdJ]

Thank you all for your comments.  It was a fun project as to learning how to do everything from the perspective of how did they do that 120 years ago without all the power tools we/I have today.  Some of you had requested some more detailed pictures of the process.  I am working on getting some of the pictures off my prior phone that had some problems.  Should have it resolved soon.

Also, I have no Idea what brand it is, but have seen others while researching things that appear to have the same axle layout and seat setup.

I have to thank this website for providing me a lot of information on sewing machines, skivers, thread, tips and techniques.  I have not sewn anything since 1975  skipping school and playing with my moms machine in the basement.  Ended up with a new Juki, off brand bell skiver and a button press in the shop.  Can never have enough tools.  

 

Ed

[Sheilajeanne]

2 minutes ago, EdJ said:

Can never have enough tools.  

Ain't it the truth!! 

Looking forward to more pictures! 

[Hags]

That is a serious project! And done very well too!

[EdJ]

Recovered all my photos from my dead phone 

Here is the buggy when I picked it up.

[Sheilajeanne]

As I said in my first post, you'd never think something that damaged could be restored AT ALL!  

[toxo]

1 hour ago, EdJ said:

Recovered all my photos from my dead phone 

Here is the buggy when I picked it up.

You my friend are a man of considerable patience and skill. I salute you.

[billybopp]

Wow.  Yeah.   That's a LOT of work!   The result is spectacular, tho!

- Bill

[EdJ]

As I began the project pictures were necessary to identify how the whole thing was put together.  All the Wood above the springs would have to be replaces due to rot.  I had to measure and calculate the angles and sizes of each component.  The box was constructed with perimeter stringers and corner blocks.  In the middle there is a raised frame that the seat would sit on.

In the middle there is a raised frame that the seat would sit on.

The seat frame base was build with lap joints.  Arm rests were beveled out and additionally flared from back to front.

  

 

[jcuk]

Fantastic work there thanks for posting.

JCUK

[Grey Drakkon]

That is freaking amazing!

[EdJ]

With pictures, deconstruction and measurements taken it was time to start rebuilding.  First issue was that I determined the lower stringers on the box were bent providing a bit of boat shape to the box.  Never bent wood before but determined that with a heat gun and clamps I could do it dry rather than steam.  

Now I could make the lap joints and corner blocks.

On both sides of the seat support there are large progressive coves (4.5 inches.)  Router bits do not go that big so alternatives were required.  I found a way of using the table saw and a diagonal fence where you take progressive passes at slightly higher blade heights.  Test piece picture below.

Glued and clamped everything up and built the seat.  Notice the lower rear of the seat is slanted back and arched at the top.  Fitting the vertical piece on the arch was a challenge and had to be fitted by hand.

Note all the irons that hold the seat together including the dash and the trunk frame.  While I tried to measure the rotten wood accurately, every piece of metal had to be lengthened or shortened slightly to fit the new assembly.  Cutting, welding, heating up in the forge and bending.

Off on a 6 day motorcycle adventure trip.  Will post again in a week.