Mary9761- you've inspired me

[mary9761]

When you drill the hole for the bungee, watch so you do not drill through the bucket itself. The hole is through the flange under the handle only.







I can't wait to see everyone's buckets!

[wackyjacky1]

Oh, OK, I see it now. Thanks.

So the buckets might still sway away from the rack, but the bungee cord limits how far they can swing?

Is that a 6" bungee?

[malkin]

Another big fan of the red!
Better red than just about anything!

Since we have to wait such a long time for the presidential bid, can we lobby for a cabinet post? Secretary of Inspiration? or perhaps Secretary of Panniers?

[mary9761]

The finished length is about 6" but it's an 8" bungee. I didn't have a sturdy enough 6" bungee so I tied off the 8". When you're finishing the pannier, you stretch the bungee taut so there is very little if any play. I do have some bouncing if I hit bumps and especially empty, but they stay in place very well.

[Tri Girl]

Tri-girl, that's not the same bike you had in July, is it?

Karen, it's a different frankenbike. I still have the other, but it sits on my trainer permenently now. It's the "I don't want to go outside for a ride" bike. This new one is my dedicated touring/grocery/errand bike. I LOVE her!

I went shopping on Saturday and almost bought too much stuff. Granted, I'm the master packer who leaves no space empty, but even I had to cram to get it all in.
Here's what fit inside:
large box of cereal
half gallon milk
2 liter of soda
small jar of jelly
3 large canned goods
2 boxes of brownie mix
box of instant oatmeal
cheese
1 large carton of OJ
flour tortillas
2 pears
1 apple
3 bananas
2 library books (from my errand before the grocery store)

On top of the rack I had the large 3 box bundle of Kleenex bungeed to the rack and boxes.
It was a lot of stuff that fit inside, but I almost over-did it. I didn't take them inside the store because the paint fumes were still REALLY strong. Next time I'll take them in and pack them as I go to make sure I don't have too much stuff.

[shellkay1212]

Many thanks to Mary and Trigirl!

I've rounded up kitty litter buckets from freecycle.org! YAY!

A friend at work and I are going to make these together. We are thinking that people are going to be begging for the instructions. It's kind of like Pay it Forward!

Now, people all over Fort Wayne, IN will be traveling around with reused kitty litter buckets.

Oh - what kind of paint did you use?

[Tri Girl]

I think Mary used Krylon. I used Valspar for plastic. Even tho I sanded to rough up the surface, it still comes off if it gets scratched. I think as long as you buy a paint for plastic you'll be fine. They make a plastic primer, and maybe I should try that next time.
I just picked up 2 more kittly litter buckets from another lady on freecycle. They are different. The lids don't come off, but hinge at the top. I might like that, too. I think I'll make them into panniers and then decide on my favorite pair.