How to Build a Mobile Scrap Bin | DIY Woodworking Shop Project

Are you a hoarder of scrap wood?

No one wants to just toss a perfectly good piece of scrap wood, especially a nice hardwood. Every shop needs a convenient spot to organize all of those scraps. That’s whe re this mobile scrap bin comes in handy. We have plans available below which include a cut list, instructions, and a Sketchup file.

Step 1: Break Down Sheet Goods

As with every project, I reference my cut list and begin the process by breaking down the sheet goods. I was between table saws for this project, so the track saw was used to make all of the cuts on this project.

Step 2: Assembly of the Front and Back Pieces

Using the Woodpeckers M2 Box Clamps, secure the front and bottom pieces. Pre-drill the locations for attaching with screws. Spread the glue evenly on the two mating surfaces. Re-clamp and secure with 1 1/4″ wood screws.

Step 3: Assembly of the Back Piece

Use the same steps to attach the back piece. Clamp, pre-drill, glue, and attach with 1 1/4″ wood screws.

Step 4: Assembly of the Center Support Piece

Locate one of the three main support pieces and spread glue to the front, bottom, and back edges. Measure out from each side to ensure that the piece is centered in the carcass.

NOTE: If I were to build this again, I would have attached the two separator pieces with pocket hole screws before moving forward. You will see later in the process that I was still able to secure the pieces with pocket holes, but it was a lot harder to access.

Pre-drill through the front piece and attach using 1 1/4″ wood screws. Do the same for the back piece.

Step 5: Assembly of the End Caps

Now it’s time to cap off the ends with the other two main support pieces. Repeat the process for attaching each end cap to complete the assembly of the carcass. Secure the end caps with glue and screws from the front and back. Then flip the carcass over and drive in 1 1/4″ wood screws from the bottom into the 3 support pieces.

Step 6: Time for Pocket Holes

Drill pocket holes in both of the material separating pieces. Using a tape measure, ensure that the placement of the material separators is equally spaced. You can use a scrap piece of wood to make sure that they stay level until being screwed into place.

Step 7: Finishing Attaching the Material Separators

Secure them using pocket hole screws.

NOTE: this is where having attached these pieces early in the process would have come in very handy. It’s a tight fit, but they are secured.

Step 8: Making It Mobile

The only thing left to do is add on the casters to make this thing mobile. Mark out and pre-drill for attaching the casters. Using 3/4″ wood screws or pan head screws, attach the four casters. Flip it over and fill it with your scraps.

Step 9: Got Plans!

Check out the plans here.

Step 10: Fill 'er Up!

If you want to, you can sand all of the surfaces down and apply a few coats of wipe-on or spray-on poly. But it is definitely not needed on this project.

Step 11: Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this shop project. This mobile scrap bin is a great addition to my small shop workflow. Now you will have an excuse why you never throw away any of the cutoffs that you have. You never know when they will come in handy on the next project.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below, I would love to hear from you!

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