How would i build a Palanquin or a litter?

Question

I am looking to build a sturdy but lightweight litter or Palanquin for a medevial reinactment group. Ideally it would hold a 250 pound man, and be as light as possable, and easy to pick up put down and carry.

Answer 1

a palanguin is japanese. i think you mean a "sedan", as in a 4-door car. that is there actual name. it wont be very light no matter what you do. poplar is the best for the wood. balsa is lighter but it wont take stain. both can be very expensive if not bought in bulk. i sugest using square PVC, like the stuff used for fencing molding and windows. buy it in bulk from a building supply. make sure to prime it well.  

glass windows were rare, so dont add any. give it large open-air windows with a thick fake pane for suport. they also didnot have doors. dont add any. the insides had lots of curtins use this to your advantage. think of the areas inside that can not be seen. you may want to use more modern things in those areas or leave tham unfinished until next year. for the poles that suport it, you might want to use medium wall thikness electrical metalic tubing. if that wont work use ridged EMT. place it inside of square PVC for a tight fit. do not drill into the pipe. that would really affect the strenght. instead look at the fasteners desinged to hold that type of pipe. this means the square PVC will most likely need to be cut and pieced around the pipe. you can fill the hole PVC structure with "gret stuff" if it looks a little flimsy.  i have no advise for the yokes.

ps milk cartons make light weight seats. dont set it on the ground. you will never get it back up. a fifth person carried the horses that it sat on.  make sure the guys dont have to neal more than half of the hight of there legs while lifting with there backs streight, otherwise they wont be able to lift it unassisted. you will most likely need to raise the yokes above where the pools come out from under the sedan.