Lumber Storage Cart

Hello Instructable World. Here's my first Instructable, be gentle.

My very small garage/workshop has became cluttered with tools, camping gear and wood that I like to have on hand for projects. I need to get it in control. I have this old cart from when Hills(The Anti-Inflation Department Store) went out of business. I think it would be a great lumber storage cart, just add shelves. I've made some other shelves out of 2x3's and 2x4s, but my design seems wanky. The cart is going to store lumber from 1x3's to 2x6's and have an area for a couple 4x8 sheets of plywood or Masonite. I'm certainly not a carpenter, as I'm reminded when my friends poke fun of my shelves, so I want to "level up" my skill a bit.

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Step 1: Tools & Materials

The materials used can be whatever you have on hand. I bought the 2x3's, but had everything else. A cart could be any one you already own that will hold the weight of how much lumber you want to store. Cart's like mine can be had for $75 to $150 on craigslist, or the local flea market, industrial auction, etc. I'm not going to give specific sizes, as your cart will most likely be different and your materials will vary, too. The tools are all basic hand tools that most homeowners own. Feel free to use whatever you have that gets the job done safely.

Materials
1"x3"x8' -1 piece
2"x3"x8' - 8 pieces
19"x33"x3/8" plywood-1 piece
4'x8'x3/16" Masonite - 4 sheets
3" Drywall Screws -1 pound
1" Drywall Screws -.25 pound
1.5" angle brackets -8 brackets
Clothesline -10 feet
.25" Heat Shrink -6 inches
Wood Glue - 1 tube

blkhawk says: Nov 11, 2012. 7:49 AM

Great job for a first instructable! Great reuse of a cart! Yours was a common problem with most woodworkers, where and how to keep our stock. You solved your problem creatively.

HicksCustomFurniture says: Feb 3, 2013. 3:15 PM

Great instructable! I need me make me one of these.

Also..."beat it like a red headed stepkid"...genius!

Able2 says: Nov 22, 2012. 11:13 AM

a great idea I have one of these carts lying idle and you've made my day as I've also been needing something to use as a mobile equipment cabinet so I'll get on now and do it , I never would have thought about it unless I saw this

amishjim (author) in reply to Able2Nov 22, 2012. 12:11 PM

Thank you. I never intended it to come out like that, but I'm sure glad it did. There's another similar instructable by noah( i think) that has some other options. I didnt' see his til after I made mine or I would have included some of the things he did. Good Luck!

schnaars says: Nov 18, 2012. 1:55 PM

Great job on your first Intstructable. Really well done and an exciting, cool project!

charlessenf-gm says: Nov 18, 2012. 9:24 AM

Nice job. I like the use of the 'indented" space for the clamps. If you made the front supports from 2 by 4 material, the recess could have been deeper all but enclosing the clamps. If you have a router, you can make a great clamp shelf for that type adjustable clamp with a thin "shelf" board and a thicker support board fixed at right angle one to the other along the long dimension. The "shelf" is notched (on one-inch +/-) centers allowing the clamps to fit into said slots/notches. I found a 5/16" straight router bit ideal for the notches and used a 5/16" fixed pin to maintain the spacing. I mount mine on the wall, but you could fit all but the longer clamps quite neatly into your cart. You might also want to add a fence along the back of your cart - aligned with the chop saw, of course. And, if you've a couple of sturdy hinges laying about, a fold-down extension on the right side to support longer pieces of wood.

amishjim (author) in reply to charlessenf-gmNov 18, 2012. 10:22 AM

Thank you Charles. I just picked up a router and table and am still learning, that could be a good project. I'm still learning, in general, as you can see. I'm going to add a fence, with slots in the shelf so it's adjustable(saw this in another instructable). I like the idea of the flip out support. If I don't notch out the shelf and make a slide out support, I will go that route.