DIY Workshop Utility Cart

Directions

• Cut Wood

  Cut your wood to the cut list dimensions.
  

• Sand

  Use a random orbit sander to sand everything smooth.
  

• Drill Pocket Holes

  I used the Kreg Jig 520PRO to drill pocket holes as follows:

  -1 pocket hole at each end of both 12 ½” long 2x2 pieces

  -2 pocket holes at each end of (4) 15” long 1x4 pieces

  -Pocket holes around the perimeter of each project panel (I drilled 4 on each side and 3 on each end)
  

• Build Shelves

  This utility cart has two shelves, so in order to build those I attached the shorter 1x4 pieces to the longer 1x4 pieces, forming two separate frames using 1 ¼” pocket hole screws.

  Next, I attached each frame to a project panel (this forms the bottom of the box/shelf) using 1 ¼” pocket hole screws.
  

• Build Legs

  For the legs, I attached each of the short 2x2 pieces to two of the longer 2x2 pieces (perpendicular), forming a “U” shape. I repeated this process so I had two “U” shaped pairs of legs.
  

• Attach the Legs

  Now it’s time to assemble! I measured 5” down from the handle (the “U” shape part of the 2x2 pieces we assembled is the handle), and working with the cart on its side I placed my first shelf there. I attached it by drilling (2) 2” wood screws from the inside of the shelf into each of the 2x2 legs.

  For the second shelf, I used a ruler as a spacer and placed the shelf 12” below the first one, attaching it the same way (2 - 2” wood screws into each leg).
  

• Stain or Paint

  I finished the cart using a Provincial wood stain. You can use the topcoat of your choice as well.
  

• Add Casters

  The final step is to add casters after your paint or stain has dried. I flipped the cart on its side and attached small casters. I couldn’t find any small enough so I improvised by just screwing into one side of the bracket since the bracket is a little too large for the 2x2. They still work just fine! I attached them using ½” long screws.