It is almost consistently warm enough in Chicago to continue with the solar oven trials. Thinking about last year’s trials, I realized that the solar oven peformed best during the first day on the ground in the park. It makes sense to return to the park this year. A means of transporting the oven to the park is needed. Since I had four empty filament spools and remembering Chuck’s Spool racer, my thoughts went toward making a wagon. I have a hand truck that converts to a 4-wheel platform cart, but it’s not something I would want to push to a park. A wagon could be the best transport for the oven, I thought and set about searching for methods of making a wagon. I found a video on the Popular Mechanics YouTube channel that provided the best information for the type of wagon I intended to make.

One of the objectives of making a wagon was not to buy any wood. I had enough wood remaining from past projects that I felt was enough for this project and I wanted to use as much of it as possible. Chuck’s video helped me realize that something I thought was super complicated could be easily made. It gave me the incentive to look further into simple mechanics. After watching the Popular Mechanics video, I began forming a plan for the solar oven wagon. I followed the formative plan, designing 3d printable parts when needed. The photographs below show stages in the development of the wagon. An animated video may be forthcoming.

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I put this on the edge of the spools to protect it and for smoother rolling. However, I made gaps while connecting the ends. Trying to remedy the gaps will interfere with smooth rolling. If I am unable to come up with a solution by June, I will remove the trim.

The handle easily detaches from the swivel brace and can rest in this holder when the wagon is stored. The holder needs a little redesign as the opening sides should be lower and a center nail hole may be needed.

Files for the wheel assembly and swivel assembly are on Cults3d.