Last summer, Shift, a Vancouver company, asked me to make a model of the cargo delivery trikes they use. Although this isn’t the type of project which I would normally build, the challenge of making a working model intrigued me, so I agreed to build it.
Using photographs of their trikes, I established some dimensions for the model and built a prototype for approval. The client liked what I did and asked me to go ahead with the working model. This is what I built.
This video shows the working details of the trike. (Duration – 2:09)
Recently, Shift contacted me requesting another one and I was happy to oblige. Interestingly, the order was completed exactly three months and twenty invoices after the first.
Links:
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 
Beautiful job !
please explain how you attached the pedals yet allow for movement ?
Thanks
Hi David,
I used 1/8″ birch dowelling extensively for the assembly. For the pedals, I bored a 1/8″ hole in the pedal for a snug fit and a 9/64″ hole in the crank arm for a slip fit. I installed the dowel through the pedal and crank and peened the end of the dowel inside the crank arm so it is held in place and free to rotate.
Chris
Please explain the “preening “process to get it to hold, yet rotate. Very interested
“Peening”, not “preening”. Essentially, I place dozens of light hammer taps on the end of the dowel to mushroom the end. It’s a technique I borrowed from the metalworking world.
Chris
Fun solution to the assignment. I know the feeling of taking on something outside of one’s usual interest because of fondness of the client and/or their mission.
Tom,
I was fortunate that the client’s budget allowed for a model as elaborate as I wanted to create. I would have been less interested if they wanted something simpler.
Chris
I really like the abstract look to the frame and handle bars as well as the details like the pedals and wrapping the grain on the cargo box. Would have liked to see what appears to be burning removed from the front wheel though!
Jim,
Thanks for the comment. You didn’t like the “mud”? I liked the look so I left it.
Chris
Sweet Chris. Love the pedal action
Morgan,
Yes, the pedal are fun to run in circles, even if doing so gets you nowhere.
Chris