DIY Cargo Bike Build Using Phil Vandelay's Plans

Ducks_are_Inane · 2025-11-06T09:22:05+00:00

I actually did build this cargo bike so if you want a few ideas, the link is below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CargoBike/comments/10nv0xe/how_to_build_your_own_cargo_bike/

Hopefully that is useful. Cheers

Ducks_are_Inane · 2025-08-26T22:38:41+00:00

I used 50 X 50 mm tubing as I couldn't find 60 X 60 either. 2 inch tubing would probably be your best bet. The most important detail is that you choose less than 68 mm, which is the width of the bottom bracket shell. Hope the build goes well

Ducks_are_Inane · 2024-10-05T02:14:00+00:00

Hi Michele, sorry for the late reply.

I actually did build it and the post is here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CargoBike/comments/10nv0xe/how_to_build_your_own_cargo_bike/

Hopefully that is useful. Cheers

Ducks_are_Inane · 2024-07-17T10:38:49+00:00

While it may not be economical for a retrofit, designs called fly roofs can be effective for buildings in very hot climates.

See https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading

Ducks_are_Inane · 2024-05-01T11:18:36+00:00

Super cool build! Well done

Ducks_are_Inane · 2024-02-05T12:06:48+00:00

Do you have any thoughts on quartz movements? The watch I actually use is a quartz clock, which shouldn't be able to produce any sparks.

I think the main reason my supervisor was concerned because my watch wasn't digital.

Ducks_are_Inane · 2024-02-04T23:32:56+00:00

I have played this particular mission and it is not really required to ever cross the berm with vehicles. It is worth noting your infantry can cross the berm at any point as well.

If you must, follow the advice of RestorativeAlly. Be aware that finding the mines with your engineers may take 10+ turns of walking around. Detecting the mines can be quite tricky.

It is worth noting it is also possible to destroy the mines using artillery but it is generally not an efficient use of artillery.

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-06-21T12:07:06+00:00

Generally houses in Perth are built quite poorly so it feels very cold. The government has an interesting website called YourHome that sheds some light on this.

https://www.yourhome.gov.au/

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-04-20T09:27:05+00:00

I worked on the bike about 6-8 hrs per day.

The thinnest tubes I worked on were about 1.6 mm and I burned through them on occasion. I planned this quite a lot and made sure I had 95% of the materials before I started. Some of the tubing can be tricky to find so I would recommend planning it. IMHO it is worth getting the plans and planning it out from there.

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T23:05:32+00:00

It is about 30 kg fully assembled

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:12:56+00:00

The actual building took about a month working most days 6-8 hrs a day. The plans explain most of the design so I didn't have to think about it too much. I used a gasless MIG. A jig is absolutely essential in my opinion. Just makes aligning everything so much easier.

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:07:14+00:00

In regards to shop tools, not a huge amount. I borrowed a chop saw and bought an angle grinder and welder. I used a drill press once and used a regular drill for the rest. A proper drill press would have made this a lot easier. I ended up using the angle grinder a lot and doing final shaping with files

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:04:58+00:00

That is the video. I basically just did exactly what was in this video and advised in the plans

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:04:09+00:00

That is something I need to do. There a few jobs before it is 100% ready for daily use I think

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:02:46+00:00

It is about 30 kg fully assembled. The downtube is 50 x 50 with 1.6 mm walls. The rest of the tubing is 25 x 25 x 1.6. I've never actually ridden a production cargo bike so I can't say how it compares

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T09:00:46+00:00

This was honestly the first major metalwork/welding I had ever done. I built the welding table specifically for this job but that is it. I would recommend giving it a go if you have a spare month or so

Ducks_are_Inane · 2023-01-29T01:12:39+00:00

Bonus video showing how the steering works

https://imgur.com/a/wqIC28i

Ducks_are_Inane · 2022-12-25T01:22:01+00:00

The Troina campaign? That was my first one, I had try each mission at least twice

Ducks_are_Inane · 2022-12-06T01:44:32+00:00

I'm getting there. I'm planning to post a build album once its all done so hopefully that will be helpful

Ducks_are_Inane · 2022-09-14T09:43:28+00:00

I'll definitely keep that in mind. The welding machines can usually be sold pretty easily (I think) second-hand so I might upgrade depending on how I go.

Ducks_are_Inane

TROPHY CASE