How to Build a Scrap Wood Storage Cart (Quick Overview)
This mobile DIY scrap wood storage cart is built from one sheet of plywood and a few 2x4s, on casters so you can roll it anywhere in the shop. Angled bins sort your offcuts by length, with a small shelf and baskets for the little pieces. It measures 39 inches wide and finally keeps your scrap pile organized and out of the way. Here is the build.
With all of these projects lately, I’ve amassed quite the collection of wood scraps and I needed somewhere to store them. I made this portable wood scrap cart out of one sheet of plywood and some scrap wood. Now I can organize and conveniently store all of my scrap wood on a movable cart!
DIMENSIONS: 39″ W x 24″ D x 36″ H (without wheels)
SHELF DIMENSIONS: 12″ W x 13 1/2″ D x 8″ H
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SUPPLIES:
TOOLS:
BUILD PLANS now available HERE!
To start, I built the base out of 2×4’s and attached the wheels while it was still light and easy to flip upside down. You can add them at the end, it’s just a bit more difficult to maneuver. Note: The 2×4’s are different colors because I used some scraps that I had and bought one new piece.
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I secured the 2×4’s with pocket holes using the Kreg pocket hole jig and wood glue.
I also used this handy Kreg jig panel carrier to be able to move an entire sheet of plywood by myself. Super helpful when you don’t have an extra set of hands. It’s not that the plywood is terribly heavy, it’s just awkward to move and this tool makes it easy!
Next, I cut down the plywood to cover the 2×4 base. Also peep the pile of scrap wood in my laundry room that will soon have a new home in this cart!
Next, I added the dividers and the shelf all cut out of plywood and secured with pocket holes and wood glue.
Here is the front view before I added the sides.
I cut the sides at an angle using a circular saw. Then I used the waste portion from the angled cut turned on it’s side and trimmed down as the angled dividers pictured below. The original plan had the same angle on the sides mirrored on those divider pieces, but it worked out even better to use these scraps. Not to mention, I had already used the entire sheet of plywood!
Note: these divider pieces are not listed on the cut list.
The last step was adding the back strips. It didn’t need to be entirely covered, so I just added strips of plywood on the top, middle and bottom to give it support and to keep the contents from falling out. If I had a bigger storage area, I would have added an extra piece on the back to hold an entire sheet of plywood but my space does not allow for that.
Here is the cart where it will be stored along with my other tools! If you missed it, there are blog posts for the table saw cart, the chop saw cart and the french cleat tool wall too!
Scrap Wood Storage Cart FAQs
What is the cart made of?
One sheet of 3/4 inch plywood for the body, dividers, and shelf, plus a few 2x4s for the rolling base. I even used some scrap wood for parts of it, which felt fitting for a scrap storage cart.
How big is it?
About 39 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 36 inches tall without the wheels. You can adjust the footprint to fit your shop space and the amount of scrap you tend to keep.
How does it sort the scrap wood?
Angled dividers create bins so longer offcuts lean in by length, and a small shelf with baskets holds the little pieces. Sorting by size makes it much faster to find the right scrap for your next project.
Are build plans available?
Yes, the full build plans are in my shop here. I also have matching posts for my table saw cart, miter saw cart, and French cleat tool wall if you want to build out a whole shop.
How is it put together?
Pocket holes and wood glue using a Kreg jig, with four casters on the 2×4 base so it rolls. Attach the wheels early while the base is still light and easy to flip over.
The tool closet is just about complete and it feels sooooo good to be organized and have that pile of wood scraps cleaned up and put away. You can find videos of this project and more on my YouTube and social media channels linked below.
Thanks for following along and until next time, happy DIY-ing!
-Selene Builds Things
About the author: I’m Selene Teitelbaum, the DIYer behind Selene Builds Things. I build furniture and shop projects and share beginner friendly tutorials and build plans so anyone can make something they are proud of. More about me.
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