Barrel train car?

Indygunworks · Dec 17, 2014

Found my winter project! the wife has given me the blessing to spend up to 300 dollars on this, however I would like to keep it under 125. there is no reason it should cost more than that. I am going to replicate this one almost exactly, minus the gun on the top. Once my boy is old enough I think we will add some swiveling "guns" made out of wood that he can help build, one on either side of the cockpit. One will be a browning 50 cal design and the other a 30cal ww2 style pistol grip. both simple to make.

I plan on adding a rocket pod under one of the wings, and perhaps a missile under the other, so the wings will have to be just a tiny bit larger. Ill use PVC for both of those.

However I want to discuss how YOU would mount the stuff. How to properly attach the tail fin where it wont be flimsy. How to mount the wings so they can support the small weight of the rocket launcher and missile. and I sort of want to add a cool little cockpit with switches knobs and levers. I will still need room for feet to go under the "dash" though because I bet this gets used as a cool make believe item as he gets older. it will have a steering wheel not a joystick mostly because that's what he understands right now. When he is older if he wants a joystick we will add one.

My first thought is to use the metal shelf hangers and use my extra steel drum to "bang" it into shape and run a few bolts and nuts through it.

I have a welder if its needed.

Also soliciting advice for what to use for the seat.

Googling "barrel train" and clicking images will give you some more photos for reference.

This is how I plan to make the cut out as I like how it makes the front look larger than the back. It will also give me room to mount the wings where they will not interfere with getting in and out of the cart. (I may in the future cut it so it swings open like a door.

Lets hear your ideas.

I will also be taking donations for any gizmos and gadgets that I can mount to the dash panel.

hosspuller · Dec 18, 2014

Mount the tail fin through the drum to the back of the seat. It will keep it from flopping around.

Same with the wings. It's a single piece fastened at the center to the bottom of the instrument panel for bracing.

forgeblast · Dec 18, 2014

The seat I have used 2x6's, I also take a piece of old garden hose and rivet it around the cut opening. Mounting the items Use larger washers to keep it from pulling through, you could also do a wooden plate on one side. We built two of them and they are still going strong after 4-5 years.
The only issue with the plane is that you better reinforce the wings they look like a perfect step for the little ones and you don't want them ripping them off.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/321298-barrel-train.html is also a thread, mine is the 9# post.

Indygunworks · Dec 18, 2014

hosspuller said:
Mount the tail fin through the drum to the back of the seat. It will keep it from flopping around.

Same with the wings. It's a single piece fastened at the center to the bottom of the instrument panel for bracing.

That's much much better advice over the way I was going to do it, and it leaves me a mounting place for the instrument panel. I appreciate that input VERY much. It also happens to be simpler, and leaves leg room. THANKS Probably going to buy one sheet of marine grade plywood since this will be stored outside more than likely.

rd_macgregor · Dec 18, 2014

I'm pretty sure that the ROPS, seat belt, air bags and parachute will tip it over your $300 max project cost, though

16ga · Dec 19, 2014

forgeblast said:
The seat I have used 2x6's, I also take a piece of old garden hose and rivet it around the cut opening. Mounting the items Use larger washers to keep it from pulling through, you could also do a wooden plate on one side. We built two of them and they are still going strong after 4-5 years.
The only issue with the plane is that you better reinforce the wings they look like a perfect step for the little ones and you don't want them ripping them off.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/321298-barrel-train.html is also a thread, mine is the 9# post.

do you have details on how you made the axles? I want to make a water wagon out of a drum and that design looks great. Thanks

forgeblast · Dec 21, 2014

Sure i think I just welded 1/2 rod onto the frame (but the way the frame is layed reinforced the axle). I drilled the ends of them to put in cotter pins. If I get out there today Ill double check and take some pictures.

forgeblast · Dec 21, 2014

This is the 1st one I did. I had a rough plan and a new welder (go easy on the welds

), on the next one I moved the axle back to the lower support.
I used 1x1 x 1/4 for the frame. I drilled a hole in the 1x1 and put the 1/2'' rod through the hole and welded it to the hole, and to the support.
This is a close up.

The wheel.

As far as strength its hauled a lot of weight, I also sometimes hook two up and pull a lot of weight with them, its gone through the woods and fields.

16ga · Dec 22, 2014

forgeblast said:
This is the 1st one I did. I had a rough plan and a new welder (go easy on the welds ), on the next one I moved the axle back to the lower support.
I used 1x1 x 1/4 for the frame. I drilled a hole in the 1x1 and put the 1/2'' rod through the hole and welded it to the hole, and to the support.
This is a close up.

The wheel.

As far as strength its hauled a lot of weight, I also sometimes hook two up and pull a lot of weight with them, its gone through the woods and fields.