Pocket-Hole Jig 720PRO
 
 

DIY Workshop Utility Cart

By Erin Spain
utility-cart-11-1
Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

Organize your DIY work space with this beginner-friendly workshop utility cart that makes storing your tools that much easier. Caster wheels are the perfect addition to make this cart as mobile as you are during your projects.

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Saw
    Saw
  • Drill/ Driver
    Drill/ Driver
  • Sander
    Sander

Materials

Wood Products

  • 4 Boards , 1x4
  • 1 Project Panel , 16” W x 4’ L
  • 3 Boards , 2x2

Hardware & Supplies

  • 4 Casters
  • 1 Box of ½” Screws
  • 1 Box of 1 ¼” Pocket Hole Screws (See tools list)
  • 1 Box of 2 ½” Pocket Hole Screws (See tools list)
  • 1 Box of 2" Wood Screws
  • 1 Paint or Stain
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 4 Frame , 1x4 cut to 16” long
  • 4 Frame , 1x4 cut to 25.5” long
  • 4 Legs , 2x2 cut to 32” long
  • 4 U-Shape at top of legs , 2x2 cut to 12 ½” long
  • 2 Shelf Bottom , Project panel pieces cut to 24” long
See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Cut Wood

    Cut your wood to the cut list dimensions.

    Step 1

  • Sand

    Use a random orbit sander to sand everything smooth.

    Step 2

  • 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)

    Step 3

  • 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.

    Step 4

  • 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.

    Step 5

  • 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).

    Step 6

  • Stain or Paint

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

    Step 7

  • 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.

    Step 8