How are Amish carriages made?
That’s a good question. I talked to one of my Amish friends who makes carriages, and here is what he told me… Until about 150 years ago, all carriage bodies were made of wood, but as population and demand increased, the years involved in seasoning and drying the pine and poplar became a problem. Plus, kiln-dried wood didn’t last. After 3 to 4 years there was often rotting. So, the switch to fiberglass was made. Fiberglass is molded and sold to the wooden body shops, which connect it to the upper wooden portion of the carriage. Different Amish work on different phases of carriage construction. Wheels of hickory, axles of tempered steel and springs are mostly made locally, some by Mennonite neighbors. My friend assembles the parts and then does the painting, upholstery, lights, brakes and optional. I don’t know anyone who makes an entire carriage from start to finish. From the time an Amishman places his order until the finished product is ready takes about 130-150 man hours, but my fr
