Antique Factory Carts Are Here, And Here, And Here…
When my shop burned down last November, I went shopping for tools. Most of my big equipment came from one shop that went out of business in South St. Louis. While I was there loading up, I noticed some old lumber carts that the movers were using to clean out the space. I didn’t know much about the carts and never needed them in the past, but my new shop is much bigger and the carts were cool, so I decided to make an offer on them. I didn’t really have any money to spend, so I didn’t feel that I should offer too much, but I dug deep and offered $30 a piece. My timing was impeccable because they really wanted the place cleaned up and the fact that I didn’t offer much was apparently not an issue.
I have four of these wider Nutting carts with the bigger corner pockets from my original purchase.
I only came back with eight carts, but those eight carts started a movement, or at least got me involved in one. I started using the carts right away. They are strong, roll easily and fit nicely in the shop. I use them to move lumber from tool to tool and my customers use them to get their wood to their trucks. I line them up like at Home Depot to try to encourage large-scale shopping. So, I have the shop looking nice with lumber on the walls and the carts lined up to move my awesome lumber. But the reverse started to happen. Customers initially come in to look at lumber, but they and especially their wives, are drawn to the carts. I try to direct their attention to the lumber, but they keep asking about the carts. Where did I get them? How many do I have? Are they for sale? NO PEOPLE! They are for moving lumber in the shop. I only have eight and I use them all. Now, focus and let’s look at some lumber.
I didn’t get it until finally someone told me that similar carts are selling at Restoration Hardware for $1,000 and they are selling them as coffee tables – old, dirty, ragged coffee tables. Now, it made sense. Everyone was picturing these carts in front of their couch and assumed that they could make that dream a reality for less than $1,000 by purchasing my carts. I didn’t sell any because I really liked them and just didn’t think selling half of them would greatly change my financial future, so I kept working along and customers kept gawking.
For a couple of months I held out. That was until Crescent Planing Mill in downtown St. Louis went out of business. They had been around forever and had been collecting lumber carts the entire time. When the auction flyer went out the lead items were more than 200 antique Nutting and Lineberry factory carts. I just knew they were going to be mine. I was local and hoped the auction wasn’t well advertised, which would make them sell for a lower price. I knew, if nothing else, that I had an advantage because I didn’t have to ship them.
This set of parts came from our favorite carts, made by Charles Francis and featuring heart-spoked wheels. I only have two of these.
I showed up to the auction to hang out with 50 of my closest friends, all of whom where there to buy carts. The bidding started out on the best carts and the going price was $150, and if I would have gotten involved it would have gone higher. $150 was a lot more than $30, so I didn’t bid. I was expecting $50-$60, maybe as high as $75, but I wasn’t sure enough about the market on old carts and went to look at the rest of the auction items. I went back for the sale on the final carts and the prices weren’t budging. I didn’t buy even one.
After all of the hubbub of the auction had died down, I went back to purchase from the unsold list (an advantage of being local). To my surprise then (not now) about 30 carts were on the unsold list. I was surprised because literally everyone their would have given at least $25 for the carts, so there was no reason for them to be unsold. I attribute this to the worst auction that the world has ever seen, but that is another in-depth reporting story (probably called “Scott on Your Side” or something like that). I negotiated for the remaining carts and got them for a much more reasonable price of $50 each. Many of them needed a little help, but at that age we will all need a little help.
I started selling those carts on ebay and the average sale has been about $300. That price is good for me, and I think the customers are happy to not spend $1,000. They certainly are still buying. My ads give as much information as possible, and I include my blog address and phone number so people can call and ask questions if they so desire. It turned out that one did desire, and I got a call from Chicago, IL.
Jim called, said he was shutting down a factory and would make me a deal on 221 carts if I could get them out that week. Even at a low price the total was large. I knew that even though I didn’t want to tell my wife, she would find out on something this big. So, I introduced the topic to her and didn’t know how she would take it. I thought there was a chance that she would be encouraged after recent sales, but the overall cost was too big, and she wasn’t. She told me why she didn’t think it was a good idea, that I should focus on the woodworking, that I needed to make money instead of spend it, and otherwise focus on what I was doing. After she told me all the reasons to not go, she asked, “So when are you going to Chicago?” She knows me pretty well.
The funny thing is that now I have so may carts I can’t get to the lumber. But, that doesn’t stop everyone from asking, “Do you have a cart I could put this on?”
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- I have four of these wider Nutting carts with the bigger corner pockets.
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- I also got 43 extra-large carts. These have a lot of maple in them and a lot of potential. I am seeing dining tables and bunk beds.
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- Many of the new batch are these taller and longer Nutting carts.
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- This is the size of carts that Restoration Hardware sells for $1,000. Most of them are Nutting brand with round corners.
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- This set of parts came from our favorite carts, made by Charles Francis and featuring heart-spoked wheels. I only have two of these.
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- These things can move some material.
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- I had lots of carts in the shop and turned more than 200 of them into coffee tables.
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- The deal came with lots of parts that were collected through the years.
56 responses to “Antique Factory Carts Are Here, And Here, And Here…”
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What’s Going on at WunderWoods
Everyone always asks what I do. Here's the answer. Click on the photo above for a short video tour and see all of the steps it takes to go from a tree to finished furniture.
ps This guy is a friend, I set him up in a location for his sawmill. He’s a nice guy, about 45 or 50, who just loves cutting up trees. His main business is custom lumber milling. Love, W
Nice post. the carts started getting hot about 1.5 yrs. ago and remain very sellable. The Ely Walker lofts downtown use one as part of their lobby furniture.
Hopefully they stay sellable a little while longer.
I work for restoration hardware, these carts sell like crazy!!
Do you have any carts left?
I have about 150 left. Feel free to call me at 314-574-6036 to talk about them.
Hi,
It’s been a while since any posts were made here. Any carts left?
I don’t mean to sound ignorant I found one of these on Craigslist, are you selling some of these carts?
I am selling them on Craigslist and ebay. I had 200 of them and I am working on selling most of them.
Love these carts! I have one in my family room. My son is into woodworking like you and I wish he would do what you are doing. I know these are popular because I hosted a bridal shower last year and some of my guests went crazy over my table. Keep up the great work and I’m sorry about the fire. Subscribing to your blog.
Thanks Kathy. I love the carts too. I just picked up some last week that are extra cute. I am going to post on my blog after I get some photos.
do you have any extra sets of hardware you would sell?
I do. Give me a call at 314-574-6036 and we can discuss.
Hey, looking to find a lineberry. Do you have any left? Do you ship? Thanks!
I don’t have any Lineberry’s, only Nutting and Francis. I do have some left and I do ship them. Feel free to call me at 314-574-6036 to discuss.
Hey I plan to contact you but before I do first of all do you have any of these carts left? I would love one! I actually just came across the Lineberry Factory Carts site @ factorycarts.com and they actually can be bought directly from them for $350 and $450 for a totally redone cart which looks like it just came off the factory floor. Of course that doesn’t include the shipping price. There”s also a guy on Etsy that’s selling some for around $300 a piece. So what’s the best price you can do??
I hope my post doesn’t offend you I’m just a starving artist and single mom so I’m just trying to get the best deal I can. I’m familiar with architectural salvage and also know the market my backgrounds in furniture design so your right on they are also out there for exorbitant amounts. I just thought I’d share some resources I’d found so I had them also to back me up, but not to dissuade your buyers market either because i feel for you having to start from the ground up again after loosing your shop and revenue to fire. So I give you kudos for coming up with a clever way to market some salvaged finds.
Best of luck to you, and I’d also like a bargain if i can get one!
Thang Que!!!
No problem. I am not offended. My carts usually sell on ebay and go from $150 to $600 depending on condition and if the bidders are feeling frisky that day. I sell them from my shop for $250 -$300 for the good ones. For fun I went to the website that you directed me to and noticed that two of their photos are actually my photos of carts in my shop. I’ll call it flattery.
I recently toured the basement of an old warehouse and purchased 9 factory carts. All different styles. I have found some names on a few (Hamilton/Thomas) but most have no markings of the manufacturer…but some have the original purchasers label/stencil. Where do I go to find out what I have?
Good question. Most of mine have been Nutting and Francis with a few others tossed in (Thomas, for example). Usually, they are in batches and all are similar, so once one is identified you know what the others are. At the same time, I will tell you that I have run across several one-offs and some that I couldn’t identify. I haven’t found a good source yet for determining the maker, except for markings and luck.
Dearest,
I am looking for a full set of hardware(everything but the wood) to make muself one of these awesome carts, the problem is i live in holland so the shipping of a whole cart costs a fortune, please contact me if you can ship me a set, you’d make me very happy.
Greets,
Nicky
Nicky,
Sorry, but I only ship in the US.
Thats unfortunate, but in that case i’ll arrange the shipping myself through an acquiantance in NY.
What will the shipping cost to send it there, and what are tha approx. size and weight? (Considering you are willing to sell a set of just the metal hardware) And ofcourse, what will that cost me?
I hope we can work this out, i really want one, but the ones i’ve come across in europe were way to expensive
Greets
I sell a set of hardware for $175. I will send you a photo of them before I ask for payment. It seems silly to ship to NY, just to ship to you. If you would like to arrange the shipping on your end, I will be happy to get it to you directly and skip NY.
Please do send some pics if you please. And how will i have to arrange shipping? Sorry i don’t understand what you mean. I hope you can help me acquire a set with your experience. PLease contact me on my e-mail for further details. Greets, Nicky
Do you sell and ship the parts for a factory cart. Just looking for the hardware. Thanks
I do. I will e-mail you, so that we can discuss the details.
Do you have any large carts left and what would be the price. Are they expensive to ship? We live in DC.
I do have carts. I will e-mail you directly with the details.
Brad, I have a Lineberry cart that has 4 left side corner post holders, it was modified awkwardly by somebody long ago. Do you have (2) ESP 14-R post holders you would sell so I can restore this cart?
I don’t have any Lineberry’s. Sorry, I couldn’t be more help.
Do you have any lineberry hardware including wheels for sale, if so what is the price and would you ship to Kentucky?
Sorry, no Lineberry’s right now.
Try Nelson Cold Storage in VA, he is a little pricey but has a lot of old Lineberry parts. I ordered a couple of corners from him for $45 each, they were the right parts and came prepaid. I had to have the exact part and he had it.
Hi I found a Nutting cart in a chicago alley it is in beautiful condition. Someone removed the orginal wheel hardware. I have the 4 corner hardware. The cart has spec in a circle. The Nutting stencil is still on the cart. I believe this is a longer cart. I want to use my cart as a coffee table. How do I know what hardware belongs on this cart? My name is Chris Donda my cell is 773-807-1451.
E-mail me some photos and I should be able to help you out. WunderWoods@sbcglobal.net.
Check on Ebay under Nutting carts or Railroad carts. There is also a company in Virginia you can find by search- Lineberry carts, he has a lot of various parts but is high on price.
Where can I buy one of those carts??????
Nick,
I am only selling the carts that I currently have from my store. I am not shipping them because my inventory is rather lackluster right now and will require lots of work to get back into shape. They just aren’t worth the cost to ship them.
Hello,
Do you still have carts for sale? If so, could you please send me some pictures? Thank you very much!
Gloria,
All of the carts I have currently require a lot of work to make into a useable cart or furniture. Since they aren’t very valuable in their current state I am only selling them locally (they aren’t worth the price of shipping) or using them to make furniture for my woodworking customers.
Do you by chance have any parts still available?
Sorry, I have a very few carts and parts left that I am selling locally only.
Hi there,
Where are you based?
In St. Charles, MO. You should know that I am no longer selling carts or cart parts.
Scott…..I’m looking for 6-8 carts in any condition that would be used as part of a set design for a show of sorts, so not necessarily furniture condition. i see from your replies that you’re out of the cart business but do you have a line on any that someone might have for sale or auction? Anywhere in the upper midwest would be good, Chicago best.
Sorry, I do not. I have kept my nose out of it as of late.
I have 8 factory carts I will sell, not all Lineberry’s, some Towsley, and others. I live in Asheboro, NC, and can load transfer trucks and palletize the carts. $275 each in unfinished condition. All hardware intact.
Are you still selling carts? Im in Oregon.
Sorry, I am not. All the carts we have left are used in the shop.
Yes, I have probably 20 plus carts in as-is condition. I have a Lineberry Daisy Wheel cart from the late 40’s, early 50’s that is like new condition. Just finished a Lineberry large wheel cart with all new white oak frame and decking and original hardware. Also have a rebuilt cart with Cherry wood decking screwed from the bottom. Are you looking for a project or one that has been refurbished?
My email is- martindanco@aol.com
I have been looking for one of these carts for months…no years. But so many sellers had them overpriced. Is there any way you would have one to sell? If so, could you send me a picture, dimensions and price. I think I have someone here in Atlanta that could restore it for me. Please reply to my email. I don’t have a website. Thanks!
Sorry, I have no more to sell.
Send me an email with your email address and I will send you some pictures. I have 2 rebuilt Lineberrys- one Daisey wheel cherry wood deck, one big wheel all white oak, rebuilt using white oak frames and original hardware, original stencil and several that need restoration or use as is. Rebuilt ones $450 , unrestored as is-$275. I can palletize and ship on transfer truck, you arrange the trucking. I have loading docks. Asheboro, NC.
I’m looking for 1 six inch end wheel any help with one or where I can look.
What type of cart and is the wheel you are looking for have a swivel post with a carter pin hole on top to hold it on? I have a few odd wheels from Lineberry and Towsley carts.