Beautifully Restored and Repurposed Lineberry Factory Cart

Billy takes these much sought after Lineberry Factory carts and turns them into beautiful accent tables.
Beautifully Restored and Repurposed Lineberry Factory Cart
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By Custom Wood Shop Custom Woodwork Eco Relics Blog History Repurposed Woodshop October 13, 2017

Lineberry Factory carts are among the most popular vintage pieces from the workplace, all part of the “industrial style furniture” movement. This is but one fine example of a Beautifully Restored and Repurposed Lineberry Factory Cart by our master craftsman, Billy Leeka.

Seen here is Peter getting started on an old Lineberry Factory cart.
Seen here is Peter getting started on an old Lineberry Factory cart.

Charles Francis Lineberry founded the Lineberry Foundry & Machine Company in N. Wilkesboro, NC. in 1900, but the company didn’t start to manufacture factory ‘trucks’ as he called them until around 1942. While Lineberry is considered the flagship brand among factory carts there were other companies that manufactured them, such as the John Watson Manufacturing Company and Nutting Truck and Caster Co. Charles Francis Lineberry died in 1947.

After constructing a new top for this cart using reclaimed Mahogany, Billy Leeka begins the finishing process.
After constructing a new top for this cart using reclaimed Mahogany, Billy Leeka begins the finishing process.

“Production of carts continued at the factory on N.C. 16-18 for about a decade after Lineberry was sold to Vermont American in 1980, but it ceased when Emerson Electric and Bosch purchased the operation in 1990… The operation was closed down by 2000.” Wilkes Journal Patriot.

Billy applies the first coats of stain to the cart.
Billy applies the first coats of stain to the cart.

“For much of the 1900s, Lineberry Foundry and Machine Co. sold “three-wheel carts” to furniture, textile and other factories across the Southeast about as fast as the company could produce them in North Wilkesboro and later in Wilkesboro.” Wilkes Journal Patriot.

This beautifully restored Lineberry cart is nearly finished.
This beautifully restored Lineberry cart is nearly finished.

Our master craftsman, Billy Leeka enjoys working with authentic Lineberry Carts because of their rugged durability. All Lineberry carts were manufactured using primarily hardwoods, like Red and White oak and heavy cast iron hardware and wheels. Billy used reclaimed Mahogany for the top, and Mahogany stain.

This angle shows the rugged construction of a Lineberry Factory Cart.
This angle shows the rugged construction of a Lineberry Factory Cart.
This is "The Foundry" Model, C108, Lineberry Factory Cart which is extremely rare.
This is “The Foundry” Model, C108, Lineberry Factory Cart which is extremely rare.

This particular cart is “The Foundry” Model, C108, Lineberry Factory Cart which is extremely rare and much sought after by collectors.

Billy explains the rich history of the Lineberry Factory cart to TV camera crews.
Billy explains the rich history of the Lineberry Factory cart to TV camera crews.

From that old tattered sofa, to those vintage candelabra’s, to those architectural salvage moldings and rough hewn timbers, and yes, even those old factory carts, every relic has a story to tell. It’s that history behind those unique items that connects us to our past in a very tangible way.

If you’ve been looking to have an old factory cart refurbished, look no further than Eco Relics and our custom wood shop! Contact us today and set up an appointment with Billy Leeka or any one of the other master craftsmen in our shop!

#Reuse #Recycle #Repurpose

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