Factory carts to coffee tables

Submitted by solohikr on Tue, 08/07/2012 - 00:25

My daughter found some of these online for $400+ refinished. I was able to locate some locally and did all the refinishing myself and saved a bundle. I have finished 6 of these carts to date. They are old railroad luggage, cotton bale, and whatever movers. They were manufactured around the early 1900's. The ones I have done were made by the Lineberry, Nutting and Globe companies. One piece of hardware is actually cast with a date of Feb, 26 1907. These were a lot of fun and hard work. I carefully disassembled each one including the original nails to be resused, I did not repair any of the wood, just presevered it in its original found state. As you can see from the pictures there are a lot of splits, cracks, and checks in the wood. I wanted to keep those as they added to the caracter of the table. As you can see in the before and after pics there is quite a amazing difference.

Estimated Cost
$200 for materials to do 5-6 carts
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, stain and poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jennifer Branton (not verified)

Tue, 08/21/2012 - 20:01

Where did you get the hardware ie... the wheels? I've been looking everywhere for the steel wheels

In reply to by Jennifer Branton (not verified)

solohikr

Wed, 08/22/2012 - 06:46

I have one of these carts unfinished with wheels and all hardware, for 100.00 these carts are heavy so shipping may be an issue. my email is [email protected] i can send pictures if interested.