Looking for a practical solution to manage your scrap wood? This scrap wood cart project was designed and created by Anika from Anika’s DIY Life, and it’s a fantastic way to organize your workspace while utilizing leftover materials.
Materials and Tools Needed
- 1 sheet of plywood (24″ x 18″)
- 1 by 3 lumber
- 1 by 2 lumber
- Pocket hole screws
- Wood glue
- Casters for mobility
Step 1: Gather Your Scrap Wood
Start by collecting all the scrap wood you have available. Look through your lumber rack, under your workbench, and any boxes you have stored. The goal is to find enough pieces to build the cart.
Step 2: Prepare the Base
The base of the cart will be made from plywood. Cut it to 24″ x 18″. If you don’t have a perfect piece, you can use what you have available. For instance, Anika used a piece that had been used for dance practice.
Step 3: Cut the Lumber
Using your miter saw, cut your 1 by 3 and 1 by 2 lumber to the specified dimensions. For instance, the longest 1 by 3 should be 19 inches. Make sure to measure accurately to ensure everything fits together nicely.
Step 4: Create Pocket Holes
Using a pocket hole jig, create pocket holes on the ends of the lumber pieces. This will allow you to easily assemble the cart without visible screws. Anika used the Kreg 720 for this step, but any pocket hole jig will work.
Step 5: Assemble the Front Frame
Start assembling the front frame by connecting the one by three sides with the one by two slats in the front. Use wood glue and pocket hole screws for a solid connection. Clamps can help hold everything in place while you work.
Step 6: Build the Middle and Back Tiers
Next, build the middle and back tiers using the same method as the front frame. Make sure to align the slats properly, as these will help support the structure of the cart.
Step 7: Add Dividers for Sorting
To create sorting bins inside the cart, add dividers to the middle tier. You can customize the spacing to fit your needs, ensuring that you have bins of equal size or varying sizes depending on what you plan to store.
Step 8: Final Assembly
Now it’s time to put everything together. Start with the back frame, ensuring all pocket holes face outward. Attach the middle tier and then the front frame using pocket hole screws and wood glue.
Step 9: Add Casters
To make the cart mobile, attach casters to the bottom. This makes it easy to move the cart around your workshop as needed.
Step 10: Organize Your Scrap Wood
Now that your cart is built, it’s time to fill it up with your scrap wood! As a rule of thumb, toss any pieces that are less than six inches long, as they are often not safe to use.
And there you have it! A scrap wood cart made entirely from scrap wood, ready to help you keep your workshop organized and efficient.