How to Build a Cowboy's Wagon Seat | Engels Coach Shop

Building wagon or buggy seats involve numerous angles. Step by step I show the angles and methods I used on this wagon seat. There are a wide variety of seats, so restoring horse drawn vehicles will bring a variety of styles to the table.
If you have a language you would like these videos translated in to, please let us know. They will not be perfect, but perhaps it will be helpful to some degree.
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Many of you are interested in the tire bolts and rivets I use in my videos. Since I use a large number of these, I do keep them in stock. An email to [e-mail] will get you a list of available sizes and pricing.
Helpful books about the carriage trade:
Carriage Terminology: An Historical
Dictionary amzn.to/2Hfoq4H
The Brewster Story - amzn.to/2wzrUNq
Practical Carriage Building amzn.to/3cJALfR
Wheel making: Wooden Wheel Design amzn.to/2TIxfK8
Carriage and Wagon Axles amzn.to/3aGDXav
An Interesting account of an early English Wheelwright Shop amzn.to/39sAICR
The Wheelwright Shop, in Kindle form amzn.to/3bxYOhd
The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley amzn.to/3KJ4mXF
Around Boron amzn.to/3KZzwKx
Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley amzn.to/3EdzAUd
The Rasp I like to use - 14” amzn.to/2wclyTI
The Big Hoof Rasp - 17” amzn.to/3nMh5NL
The Rebar Leatherman I use amzn.to/2vuvWpH
The silk scarf I wear amzn.to/2wGqKQf
My metal marking pencil amzn.to/2Hu75oB
Metal marking pencil refills amzn.to/3744EDP
#wheelwright #chuckwagon #engelscoach

[@thisolesignguy2733]

I love that comment "Well, I felt bad for the driver too, so I decided to build him a seat" lol that made me giggle😁

[@CraigLYoung]

Was just think 🤔 You know the driver would probably love a coffee cup holder. Don't yell, I'm only kidding. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@massoud999]

רַק אָדָם שֶׁאוֹהֵב אֶת הַמִּקְצוֹעַ שֶׁלּוֹ עוֹשֶׂה דְּבָרִים כָּךְ. כִּבּוּד Only a person who loves his trade makes things this way. Respect.

[@dianeengel4155]

Todah

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Dave

[@MrJoey1003]

The band saw is amazing. They knew what was important then for features. Like the old table saw can do it all, more so. Love the antique tools puttin' in work. They are pleased to still be useful.

[@TimTraceyBladesmith]

I just got a new puppy. And he's still new and nervous and unsure about lots of things. But I love watching your videos and so does little Franklin. Your videos and voice are comforting to him so we can both relax. Thank you for keeping a wonderful craft alive and the effort you put into documenting it for us all. Take care. Tim and Franklin

[@dianeengel4155]

😄

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

LOL! Of course the square nuts holding the rub irons in place are clocked! Of all the interesting tools you have in that shop, that old Fay & Egan table saw has to be my favorite. Thanks so much for caring enough to invest the time required to allow us to tag along on this incredible journey!

[@SimplyWillow7]

I am so appreciative of the skills you apply to your trade! I have always admired creative men and your a handy man! Well done from an 81 year old women who loves your videos and watching you work!

[@eyema_pierat8993]

Therapeutic, I love watching with a cup of coffee. Still got some coffee left, so I have to go rewatch some earlier videos. Thanks to you and your wife for making this content available.

[@billh230]

Exactly. I see this in my feed while I'm at dialysis and I have to hold myself from watching it there, preferring to come home, grab something stupid to eat, a cup of coffee, and settle in to watch. One of 3 or 4 channels I gladly anticipate.

[@btphelps]

Your tools and construction practice continues to amaze me. First watching you tilt your table saw was impressive. Then the tool you used to draw a curve on the backboard of the seat. Fascinating. I learn something new every time.

[@Garth2011]

Love those compound miter cuts....they can be confusing so thanks to the "jigs" to help guide the process. I'd liked to have been there when a wagon builder first did that ! As always, thanks for the footage Dave.

[@secretsquirrel6308]

On a video maybe two years ago, Matthias Wandel published a set of tables for bevels and miters. For repeatability you can't beat jigs.

[@TalonPro]

Dave went over that in an older video, took a while to get it right while showing all the steps.

[@chuckbrown2765]

I’ve said it before and I will say it again I would love to apprentice with this man! Please start offering scholarships Dave! Thank you for getting us through Covid and now inflation!

[@billchenault2324]

My only complaint about your videos is that there isn’t a video every day😂. Love the work you do.

[@angelopecora1]

Ya sure do beat the news! Nice!

[@johnnyholland8765]

Pardon me but your skill is showing sir. Great looking seat off the cuff...

[@plainnpretty]

Going to be a nice wagon. makes me hungry just looking at it

[@esseelettronica8507]

Thank you for the subtitles. They happily waited for the next video. A greeting from Sicily

[@dianeengel4155]

You're welcome.

[@dondotson4604]

I have absolutely loved watching you build this grain/chuck wagon. My grandfather farmed wit horses. I was a toddler so I got to go with him, but only on the disk. consequently, when I was in my parents car and saw some horses I would say " look woe tees. " Years later I figured out where I got that . When I was riding with my grandpa, and he wanted the horses to stop, he would say " Woe team. " so they weren't horses, the were woe tees. Thanks for sharing what you do. Don from Oregon.

[@dianeengel4155]

Cute

[@RobertFay]

*- "Well....I kinda got ta feelin' sorry for the driver this week also,...so......I'm gonna build him a seat."* *- That makes me chuckle even now typing it in here.* *- Mirthful Irreverence makes the world go round without squeaking.* *- And with that...may I raise another toast to Mirthful Irreverence, Everywhere ! ! !*

[@the_eternal_student]

I love seeing farm wagons.

[@TrevorDennis100]

I've never seen an arc drawn that way before. A very useful tip that I will be using for sure.

[@larrykelly2838]

Great seat

[@mayforddavis9291]

As always, thank YOU for allowing us into your work shop and see a God gifted craftsman at work. God Bless you and Mrs. Engels.

[@johnsebar7807]

I really hope to see a video of this excellent rig covered with a canvas top and a 2 or 4 hitch pulling it through a fair. Just awesome.

[@chrisbartrum3201]

Been watching you now since very many Montana moons have past. I think I started with an early iteration of the Borax wheels and some damn fine ring fires at the end, but suspect it was long before. Now I ponder the new you. Still quietly whimsical and can swing that hammer at the forge, yet 'Engels' is kicking arse (as some say in Wales). What's most wonderful is that your legacy is being seen through new eyes. Folk who've looked at their America and been dismayed, and happened on you as the genuine US citizen; as I did when I went looking for something rather than the lie of TV.

[@gs1100ed]

The lie of TV indeed!

[@dianeengel4155]

Nice comment. Thank you.

[@orjhol]

Your hearwarming first comment saying ”well, im gonna build him a seat” made me smile all over my face! Keep up the good work! Greetings from Sweden!

[@glencrandall7051]

All I could do is repeat what everyone else has said. 👍👍👍👍Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@johnbell6956]

It always amazes me that you are so highly skilled in so many trades. Love your shop and thanks for your time making the videos.

[@gerardfenn3988]

That was a neat trick for adding a curve to the setback with those 2 folding edges. Never seen that before. Pretty Cool. Great Video as Always, Thanks

[@benparry5318]

I want to take a ride in that wagon. what a thing of beauty!

[@brianwright6522]

Your smithy skills are amazing. Pleasure to watch form parts from raw stock or old discarded pieces. Thank you. Nice buggy sprung seat. Reminds me of when we would buggy spring a rear axle on a 30s hot rod. Same basic suspension techniques. Cool

[@daotherguy]

Really enjoyed this! It took me back 50 years ago I built one in high school shop class reusing hardware from one I found at my grandmothers. Those compound miter angles kicked my butt and my shop teacher's butt, until he gave up and looked in a book. Thanks for the content.

[@frankssawdustfactory3872]

Thankful that I get to watch you work, even if only 20 minutes a week!

[@michaeldockery7589]

God bless you you are some trades man keep it up thank you

[@sloop343]

He's actually a magician..

[@orvillevoyles9451]

I'm a new subscriber and have been playing catch-up I just finished watching the two seat carriage build and the cannon wheels, I am impressed to the highest level on the different crafts that you have mastered in the pursuit of wagon building I thought it to be a hobby before but I had no idea it could be a profession. I agree on the table saw comment it's cool

[@JorgeM523]

Dave, your work is one of the most enjoyable and satisfying to watch. Hoping some of your wood working and metal skill rub off on me. Thank you, Sir!

[@colinellicott9737]

Loved the farriers file used on the seat ... giddy-up!

[@edwarddrost5299]

What? No cup holder? 🥤☕ I really like the pan box latch, and the way the door goes in. I think I'll make my own pan box just for the closing mechanism.

[@kevinhenry7273]

1st time I've seen a tilting table saw. Everything I've seen were tilting arbor.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

What a fantastic seat. The latch you made before the seat is a piece of art.

[@raymondcollyear4773]

You are truly an artist no matter what anybody says. To watch you work your magic on the wagons you build and rebuild is awesome, it is truly an art form that is and has gone by the wayside. Enjoy watching and learning. Take care

[@Tomhohenadel]

Always a pleasure to watch a craftsman. I have learned a lot from your videos. Thanks Dave

[@jeffclark2725]

Always enjoy watching these,this isnt your first seat,the notes on the pattern,took a wile to create the patterns,thank you for letting us watch

[@RaymondWKing-dn8wf]

Dave you're an amazing fellow and a great teacher, I;m grateful for all you share

[@daniellarrivee7933]

Thanks to you Mr. Engel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@michaelhermann9990]

So may skills in one person - unbelievial !

[@MikeWilliams-yp9kl]

Wow! Thanks for the video Dave. Mike 😃

[@thomasnewton9818]

I like the way you saved yourself some patterns with notes written on them.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great job with the seat for Ole Cookie. Looks great and will ride nice too. Thanks for sharing with us. Keep up the good work and videos and have fun too. Fred.

[@groundspeed3954]

I admire your work. Your tools and shop have the care worn look of use and respect, which resonates with me. I look forward to your videos and appreciate the master craftsmanship and artistry you display..

[@soranuareane]

I watch these videos thinking the phrase, "jack of all trades, master of none" can't be further from the truth. Keep the videos coming, we love them!

[@KJ-kw7gh]

The full quote is “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” I think this applies to Dave very well.

[@enosbyler664]

True craftsmanship is a pleasure to watch...

[@grahammorgan9635]

These videos are the best , without exception, keep them coming Dave, really appreciated down under in NZ

[@jenksify]

Really loved the intro. The style you chose to build for this wagon looks perfect.

[@benjohnson1082]

Dave - Throughout many of your videos it is fun to “listen” to your unspoken explanations made with your fingers pointing or your pencil pointing. We can practically hear you saying I need to round off this handle to match or adjust the shoulder of the latch to fit etc. pretty neat.

[@ericpaqueriaud1168]

Bonjour très belles vidéos celà me rappelle quand avec mon grand-père on faisait des constructions de char et autres toutes mon enfance merci Éric

[@JAdams-jx5ek]

I look forward to Friday evening - in part, because of your work. Looks good!

[@kaywalker4433]

wow...loved it. Thank you.

[@Midnotion]

I appreciate the little mistakes (like not being able to fit the bolts due to the spring clearance) not being cut out - it happens to everybody and it's nice to have that acknowledged!

[@lint2023]

That cowpoke does good work!

[@billmorris2613]

Good morning to all from SE Louisiana 7 Aug 22.

[@lonnieramacher8963]

Dave, I told the Essential Craftsman today that you and him are my favorite essential craftsman. Wanted to tell you too. Real glad you had the seat build up also.

[@RickOshay...]

Anyone who calls themselves an Essential Craftsman isn't one... Just saying...

[@thecanadiantradesman7916]

As always you make it look so easy and love having you keep the tradition alive and capture it for everyone to see and learn. Thanks again for sharing and being an ambassador of the tades and craft for all to enjoy and and possibly pursue.

[@chuckthomas8176]

I love it .. amazing to watch your skills and art work .. thank you sir .

[@stevelemon7206]

Great job , thanks. One day might we see some of your vehicles hitched to a team ? I have a team of Canadians and love to refurbish vehicles for them to draw, your work is an inspiration! Thank you for documenting your craft . Both my Great Grandfather’s were carriage builders in Scotland, luckily I have a handful of their tools .

[@dianeengel4155]

Cool!

[@dickieadcock]

I love your channel, and your workmanship is spot on. I noticed you seldom mention the types of wood you use for the projects you do. Thank you for these video's.

[@rodneywroten2994]

so beautiful sir

[@user990077]

Love that table saw.

[@armandofrancogarcia1217]

Buenos días, siempre es un gusto ver su excelente trabajo, talento y manos expertas. Reciba un cordial saludo.

[@dianeengel4155]

Thank you

[@danvanhoose6783]

Looks like poplar used for the seat.quality work.

[@eastcoastwatch672]

OUCH ! Nailed the wrong nail on that left thumb .

[@richardmilliken9377]

Love the tool for laying out the curve, simple and effective. Thanks as always for the videos!

[@williamjacobs236]

Another great video Dave .

[@mcransley]

Really enjoyed this very helpful film, many thanks.

[@pauldehaan3574]

Very nice......Thanks for sharing

[@stephenrice4554]

Superb job , learned bushels . 👍🇬🇧

[@michaelbissen1946]

Always amazes me how you just simply make all your metal parts and look historic and store bought everything. Great work! I learn something every video. THANK YOU

[@darrensquires8006]

This blows my mind how this gentleman works his trade. In my part of the world you don’t see these wagons. To watch how things were made back in the day is so interesting. I love carpentry and have learn a lot of little tricks from these shows.

[@dennismalcolm6620]

THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER, THE CANDLE STICK MAKER, THE WELDER, AND OF COURSE A GREAT COACH BUILDR!!!!!.I ENJOY YOUR WORK....

[@charlescompton4495]

Hope we make a cushion! My rear wouldn't stand a long ride without one! Greg

[@RickOshay...]

1st.....Well Dave... Another Masterpiece...Bravo!

[@richardmattingly7000]

Interesting idea about keeping the lower box closed but not the best solution because a pin thru eye is better and won't damage the wood by turning. Since the flap is basically a hasp like a Padlock goes on only the hinge wears since it closes over an what's a U or an Eye Bolt making it a far stronger connection With a pin on a chain to hold it close it won't wear the wood like a handle does and its unlikely to come free or be accidentally turned by brush or a knee that low. Its way many trailer gates have pins not handles to keep them closed. Kudos on the seat and its surprising for many to know trains, wagons or coaches had suspension for an easier ride where passengers went well before the motorized versions with leaf springs etc on wheels.

[@RickOshay...]

Oh my... Another genius... Who can't write... Good grief...

[@richardmattingly7000]

To Rick.. Mark Twain once said that its better to remain silent and be considered a fool by others than to opens ones mouth and remove all doubt. I've done some wood working almost as long as he had this shop so I know a thing or two when it comes to making it right or wrong and how about you. There's a reason why latch a wooden door isn't done this why to last because the handle will tear up the hole it goes thru turn after turn and if struck or forced it will break-crack the wood even more. Most latches with a handles pivot on a plate the attached to like a lock set so it not the wood takes the torque and this style would have been better it grabs the pin to cam down on not the reverse. Plus its easier to lock since the metal tongue doesn't have to be in the right position before it engages since its catches the pin in one movement not two. Had he made the handle thus way on the flap closing it to capture the pin could be done without even looking at it as well as if it trapped the pin from below it would even be better. Yes I know what I'm talking about Charlie Brown and a Goid Grief back at ya as well....

[@RickOshay...]

@@richardmattingly7000 Well Mr. genius... Fu** Mark Twain... Another self-called genius... Dave doesn't need your genius advise, He does just fine, and that latch will last longer than you will... So go away!

[@StanislavG.]

Like watching Michelangelo paint...

[@jeanhawken4482]

Always a treat

[@JV-pu8kx]

Interesting table saw.

[@ptonpc]

Always a pleasure to see what you do.

[@stephboeker7835]

Bravo !! Your tool jigs & knowledge tickle me every time !! God's blessings spill all over your talents !! :)

[@asciimation]

That's a neat tool/technique for doing the curve on the front of the seat. Thanks for showing that.

[@josephlian3895]

great video. Great Job

[@ottochristensen4841]

A very nice seat, and a clever lock for the pans and pots.

[@pierrefouchard6593]

merci pour la traduction Française, et Bonne Année. Pierre de Vierzon.

[@flywayhome8903]

Once again thanks for the video.

[@Tammy-un3ql]

Good to know!

[@steveadams99708]

More wonderful footage. Thank you Dave!

[@dianeengel4155]

It's free, but the footboard helps stop it.

[@punypipeman8314]

Thank you for making these videos my dad rebuilt 13 wagons back in the late 60s early 70s for people they use to have wagon trains during the summer that lasted for a week

[@dianeengel4155]

They still do that here.

[@malliz1]

Thanks again Dave

[@samburdge9948]

Listen chief...........absolutely love your work........you ever think about doing some furniture work or other old time trades for us on youtube.............I assume many would enjoy it...........you ever fix amish buggies or the like..........gods bless

[@dianeengel4155]

We've had some Amish move in not far from us and Dave replaces,the rubber. On their wheels pretty often, but that's about all. He doesn't like to build furniture much.

[@Rommel812]

Allein der Sitz ist ein Meisterwerk. Ihnen von Woche zu Woche zu sehen zu dürfen ist eine Ehre. Ich bin schon sehr auf das Endergebnis gespannt. Von mir Daumen hoch und ich freue mich schon auf das nächste Video.

[@kennethhall5070]

WOW, that is an awesome build.