How to Attach Axle and Wheels to a PVC Frame

This video shows the PVC parts and construction details required to attach wheels and a axle to a PVC frame. If you want to see the actual assembly of all components, see my other video "DIY Beach Cart Update" at this link: • DIY Beach Cart - UPDATE .
For the design details of the cart featured at the beginning of the video, see my "DIY Beach Cart" video at this link: • DIY Beach Cart .

[@DROY2004]

The end caps can be turned over to drill the axial holes..put in a vice with hole up, eyeball center, dot with majic marker, with that, u can use a center punch to set center or start ur drill slowly to a point that it will track. Drilling the hole from the inside has a self tracking effect, even if its a tiny bit imperfect we're not talking Idy 500 speed here should work without the measuring & marking with a knife. Good Luck!

[@centerforceone]

+Dan Roy, That's a good point on being able to "eyeball" the center easily when working inside the round walls of the cap. Sometimes my desire for precision can make things harder than they need to be. Thanks for the great tip.

[@j.a.henson8997]

Dan Roy - I came here to point this exact thing out!

[@Dales_Workshop]

Here's how to perfectly center a hole in a PVC cap if you have a drill press. 1. clamp down a thick board (nominal 2x lumber is fine) to your drill press table. 2. drill a hole the same size as the outer diameter of the cap. (You may drill a hole slightly smaller as the domed cap will self-center in the hole.) 3. without moving your clamped board, change your drill to the axle-sized drill. 4. place the cap in the large hole and drill the axle hole. Small drill presses can be had for under $70 from Harbor Freight, and less if they're on sale or you have a coupon. They are indispensable for any do-it-yourself person! Thanks for your videos. I've been wanting a beach cart and a cart for my ISUP.

[@Mike-mw7bg]

Have you noticed any wear in the PVC cap from the axle turning (friction)? Has it made the hole go out of round? Also, what beach tires did you use? I thought you used a 5/8” axle too correct?

[@centerforceone]

Hi Mike. I have not noticed any wear in the cap. If you were going to really put a lot of load, you could always make the hole a little larger and use a replaceable bushing. I bought the wheels and axle from WheelEEZ.com.

[@Mike-mw7bg]

centerforceone Thank you sir!

[@pacman4568]

If it is done right there should be a bearing in the wheel hub, the bar through the middle should not move. You can make bearings using plastic fishing beads and plastic tubing. Use your imagonation.

[@Lisargarza]

Like this video but wish camera was steady....

[@kanasorama]

love your videos ?did you use any glue or cement to bind the pipes to the T and to the caps

[@centerforceone]

+Daniel Kanas, Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm glad you find the videos helpful. To answer your question...Yes, I used PVC primer and glue for all the permanent connections. I probably didn't have to use primer since the piping would not be pressurized, but it's habit for me from my days doing landscape irrigation.

[@rider660r]

If you don't want the PVC to come apart you definitely need the primer.Without it it will eventually come apart because just glue alone doesn't adhere well to the dirty PVC.

[@jasonfarnen8420]

Where did you purchase the wheels? I'm looking for good quality ones that will not rust when used in and around salt water.

[@centerforceone]

+Jason Farnen, I bit the bullet and bought Wheel-Eez after my recycled wheels didn't work well. Wheel-Eez are not cheap, but they are great for beach use. I went with the Wheel Axle Kit 24UB. This has both wheels, marine grade aluminum axle and all required hardware for attachment.

[@drophammer776]

WD-40 spray after every use.

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

Re do the video! Cant even watch 10 seconds and Im dizzy with soo much camera movement😮

[@imSkyzWRLD]

Wish I had a kart I'm going homeless an have no way to carry all my close

[@spacecaptain9188]

Wish you would show us. Too many words. I'm a visual learner.

[@annnonomys3132]

Thanks for sharing. Overall, helpful. But please consider using a stationary camera in your future videos. I literally couldn't "watch" it. I listened and checked in. Videos with this much jiter makes some people, including me, physically ill like motion sickness.

[@centerforceone]

Thank you for the feedback. I agree I need to up the video quality. The GoPro on a headband is not optimal.

[@pging8328]

nice video. thanks for that. i love how you said: "if you aren't going to put weight on it you could simply do XYZ". that's my exact situation! going to follow your advice.

[@pacman4568]

So you showed us were to drill a hole well I was impressed.

[@dirtbike823]

You could torch a piece of metal and then melt it thru the cap too then drill

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

Your like I am over engineering every thing. But if you use half inch all thread fro the axle there wouldn't be any flexion. Get a cheap plastic caliper from harbor freight.

[@DROY2004]

Here's what I did for tires, I had an worn out wheel barrow w/ dual 4.00x6" tubeless tires & 5/8" axial, tires measure 13"diam. I aired up tires & popped out the beads, then with the tires inflated, drill a small hole in tire sidewall big enough to fit in a spray insulation quill, 90 deg opposite that hole, i drill a larger hole, as i spray foam in from the bottom, it pushes air out the top hole, careful to keep the beads seated, fill foam till appears at top hole, stop, it will keep expanding. U can drill top hole in tread center on tire tops, it works for better for larger tires. U will need to top tire off periodically as foam settles...no flats, no mess...my Surf/Pier cart is 2 wheeled so useing the axial that came with the tires was a +.. I got 2 perks from this, my wife was happy to see another piece of junk go & I got a "free" set of no flat tires w/ wheels & axial! If ur wondering if foaming works, Ive used the foaming method for my 60hp tractor (front tires),3- riding lawn mowers, a Harbor Freight hand truck, all with great success. By the way, leave the schrader valve in place, tires won't fill up completely with it out. Ifu don't want to do the foam thing, Harbor Freight sells different sizes of "no flat" solid tires. Foam fill shld take 2 1/2 cans per tire, Good Luck!

[@centerforceone]

+Dan Roy, Great idea. I will definitely be trying this for my next project with wheels. Thanks!

[@milesbennetdyson5]

What size rolee tire tid you use?

[@centerforceone]

I used their smallest set - 24" axle with 9.4" diameter tires. I wish I had gone one size bigger.

[@simplyrise5217]

Helpful video. I got distracted by your serious cooling fan... 3 bro!!! Lol. Thank you

[@garypate552]

just to make sure what size is the pvc 1/4 inch?

[@centerforceone]

The pipe I used was 1-1/4 inch diameter. I used thinwall PVC to reduce weight, but it also reduced the strength. Schedule 40 PVC would give the greatest strength if it didn't make the cart too heavy.

[@MarkEzrin]

​@@centerforceone Your tips and video are awesome. How heavy is your load on the cart? My tandem kayak weighs 72lbs. My design will be different as it is for a kayak so I'm building the more traditional kayak cart. I got 1" PVC. Is there anything else you'd suggest to strengthen the cart for about 100lbs (figuring I'm gonna just throw paddles and everything else in when I portage. I got pneumatic tires from Harbor Freight. Thanks.

[@centerforceone]

@@MarkEzrin Thanks for the kind words. I think 1" PVC will work just fine for a kayak cart with the load you mention. I only used 1-1/4" because my project started with a beach cart over 5 feet long. (See my DIY Beach Cart video if you want the backstory.) Good luck on your build and please send/post pictures of your finished project.

[@mattmcgarry4998]

what did u use for end caps that you put the axl thru?

[@centerforceone]

I think you are asking about the PVC plugs. I discuss them briefly at the 0:50 mark in the video, and then again at the 2:15 mark. Does this answer your question are or you looking for something else?