Mobile Folding Craft Station

by Yvette M

9.2K1847

Intro: Mobile Folding Craft Station

If you live in a small space like me, you'll know how important every little bit of storage can be! Finding space to store art supplies, and trying to find specific supplies when you need them can be a challenge. This project was initially conceived as a mobile food preparation station while I was completing a Diploma in Visual Arts (Product Design), but quickly got used as a craft station, as it is perfect for storing and accessing art and craft supplies in my apartment. It has a beautiful handmade yet modern look and warm colours and texture.

When building, care must be taken to make the frame square, so that the drawers will install easily. I had challenges installing the drawers as my frame was not glued perfectly square. Opening and closing the table top sides is a bit awkard due to the position of the wooden 'drop-leaf supports' - you may want to consider a re-design. Attaching the caster wheels is challenging, but worth doing for mobility. You may also want to consider another solution for attaching the caster wheels, or make the base fixed.

STEP 1: Cut Wood for Legs & Rails

Plane the wood so that the wood is smooth and square.
Using a Tablesaw, cut 4 lengths of oak to make the legs;
4 x Legs: 790mm L x 35mm D.
Using a Tablesaw, cut the oak to make the rails;
8 x Top & Middle Rails: 415mm L x 40mm W x 18mm T
4 x Bottom Rails: 415mm L x 52mm W x 18mm T.

STEP 2: Prepare Rails

Mark out where the Domino joints will be on the legs and rails, and use a Domino Joiner to prepare the joints.
Sand out approximately 17.5 degree angles into the ends of the rails, so that they can be glued congruently to the legs.
Cut 25mm L and 12 mm D holes into the center of the top side rails (x2) - see measurements pdf for details.
Sand the rails with an electric sander (I sanded by hand which I don't recommend).

STEP 3: Round Legs

Use an Edge Forming Router Bit on a Router Table to cut the square legs and make them round.
Sand the legs on a lathe until smooth.

STEP 4: Insert Caster Bolt Into Legs

Create a jig to hold the legs in place.
Screw in a caster wheel bolt into the center of each leg (x4), being careful not to split the wood. Once the frame structure is put together in later steps, you can screw in the caster wheels).

STEP 5: Prepare Outer Panels and Base Shelf

Measure and cut the 2 side and 1 back outer panels out of plywood.
Sawn timber sizes needed;
Side Panels and Back Panel: 3 x (393mm L x 415mm W x 12mm T)
Base: 1 x 415mm W x 415 L x 12mm T)
Prepare the biscuit joints - see 'legs and rail assembley pdf'.

STEP 6: Construct Frame - 'Dry Run' (With Panels)

Test rails, outer panels and legs together before gluing together.
Masking tape and straps can be used for this step to hold the frame together while testing.
Adjust the straps and clamps as needed as needed - it is important that the frame is square in order for the drawers to work correctly.
Glue frame and panels.

STEP 7: Cut Drawers

Measure and cut front panels for large and small drawers - see pdfs attached.
Round off the corners.
Measure and cut side and back panels of large drawer.
Measure and cut side and back panels of small drawer.
Stick on the wood veener onto the plywood drawer edges if using it.

STEP 8: Assemble Drawers

Check that drawers fit together well, and refine if needed.
Glue and staple gun together.

STEP 9: Add Drawer Slides

Attach drawer slides to the top and bottom drawers and inside of side panels.

STEP 10: Cut and Glue Table Top

Measure and cut the three sections that will make up the full Table-Top.
Sizes needed;
1 x 500mm L x 500mm W x 27mm T*
2 x 500mm W x 350mm W x 27mm T*
*thickness can be up to 30mm
Glue together sections if needed, using clamps.
Round the edges of the outer 2 sections with a Router.

STEP 11: Table-Top Folding Structure

Measure, cut and attach the Drop Leaf Support structure - see pdf.
Sawn timber - Drop Leaf Support: 2 x (414mm x 33mm x12mm)
Attach the Tee Hinge joints - see photo.

STEP 12: Attach Table-Top

Align the Table-top, then attach to the frame using wooden corner wedges and screws (see photo).
Screw in the caster wheels.

STEP 13: Attach Handles

Attach the drawer handles.

STEP 14: Sand and Polish

Sand all surfaces.
Apply 3 coats of suitable wood finish - I used Organoil (mostly made of Tung Nut Oil). You could also use Hardwax Oil. Make sure each coat dries completely, then give a very light sand with wet and dry between coats.

STEP 15: Enjoy Your Mobile Craft Station

Enjoy your super handy and beautiful mobile folding craft station.

4 Comments

shalnachywyt 1 year ago

I repurposed a rolling kitchen cart to make something like this and discovered that before long the whole thing was covered with stuff. What's the saying? Mother Nature abhors a vacuum? Yep. If there's a clear flat surface in my house it will be covered with stuff before you can turn around.
Nice build BTW!!
Did the cat help? ::grin::

Yvette M 1 year ago

That's great - yes, I agree - every surface tends to get used around the home :).

ChloeLokiJoe 1 year ago

Very nice work.
But I’m wondering how you access and activate the table supports.
My guess is by opening the drawer, lifting a wing, reaching inside the drawer and sliding a support into position.
Am I correct?
All in all, very impressive work.

Oh yeah…..I like your little helper too.
Have a couple myself.