Hello! I’m Ana, a mother and homemaker from Alaska.
Skeching
100’s of FREE plans!!
You can make ANYTHING!
stick
img
sticks
img

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart

January 18, 2012 |
posted by brookifer86
PDF versionPDF version
Inspired by an industrial cart I saw on Pinterest, I decided to try my hand at building my own to save money. It's made from simple pine 2x12 shelves, castors and plumbing hardware. This is the perfect build for a beginner, as it's easy to get the boards cut at the store before you bring them home. I used Ron's Hardware for the plumbing supplies, they were incredibly fast, helpful, and half the cost of the big box stores. http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/511-603HC-1-2-Galvanized-Floor-Flange-p/446903.htm
industrial shelf cart

Additional Photos

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart

Handmade from this plan >>

Projects built from this plan. Thank you for submitting brag posts, it's appreciated by all!

Dimensions

Dimensions: 
industrial cart dimensions
Dimensions: 
36" wide, 86" tall, 11.5" deep

Materials and Tools

Shopping List: 
• 1 - 2x12x16 • 4 - casters (optional) • 32 - 1/2" galvanized flanges (http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/511-603HC-1-2-Galvanized-Floor-Flange-p/446903.htm) • 16 - 1/2" galvanized pipe at 18" (http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/563-180HC-1-2x18-Galvanized-Pipe-p/273055.htm) • 150 - 3/4" screws • finishing supplies (sandpaper, stain/paint)
3/4 inch screws
120 grit sandpaper
paint
Tools: 
measuring tape
square
hammer
drill

Cut List

Cut List: 
5 - 2x12's @ 36"
Cutting Instructions: 
Make sure all cuts are square. I got these cut in store to save money since one 2x12 is cheaper than two shorter ones. You have to keep an eye on those sales guys, one was cut an 1/8" short so I had to trim them all at home.

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Step 1

industrial cart tutorial step 1
Sand and stain/paint all your boards first.

Step 2

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Using the 3/4" screws, drill your casters into your first board at the four corners.

Step 3

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Flip the board over, and screw in your first 4 flanges.

Step 4

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Attach your first 4 pipes by manually screwing them in. You will need to check for square, the threading isn't always equal. Some will need to be banged with a hammer.

Step 5

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Now manually screw in the top 4 flanges.

Step 6

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Set the next board on top, check for square, and drill the 3/4" screws into the flanges to attach your first shelf.

Step 7

Industrial 5 Shelf Cart
Repeat steps 3-6 for the next 4 boards until you reach the top. That's it!

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions: 
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
NOTE: This project is much lighter than it appears, making it very easy to tip. As a precaution (I have a small child) I used four L-brackets to attach the cart to wall studs.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

totally love this, Ive

totally love this, Ive thought about doing this before but had someone convince me not to. cant wait to move and try it :)

posted by mlgstudy@gmail.com (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-01-19 01:45

Cost

About how much did that cost to put together?

posted by Merida (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-01-19 10:48
clips
brookifer86's picture

$200

I can't believe I left that out! The lumber and screws were only $20, the bulk of the cost comes from the plumbing parts. I found Ron's Hardware online and really enjoyed their service and product. Plus, their parts were about 1/2 the cost at the big box stores. You may be able to find good prices if you have a local plumbing supply

posted by brookifer86 | on Thu, 2012-01-19 11:02
clips
claydowling's picture

Good hand-tool starter project

I'm a big advocate of not letting employees at the home center touch your lumber. It's not that they're incompetent, but they're not furniture builders and this isn't their project, accurate cuts will be more a matter of luck. If you don't own any tools, you can get by with just an inexpensive corded drill and a hand saw like one of the 20" Stanley Sharp-tooth saws. If you can't find that, Irwin also makes a decent hand saw. A quick google search for hand saw videos will get you all of the instruction you need to make quick and accurate cuts. I'm doing a huge project right now, a set of six book shelves for a friend's library, and I'm breaking down all of the wood by hand. It's not strenuous. Even after cutting 40 shelves, I was only a bit warm. Once you learn how to break down your own lumber with a hand saw, you'll never let another clerk touch your lumber with a saw.


posted by claydowling | on Thu, 2012-01-19 11:47

Engineering?

Some things to be aware of if you like this design: This looks incredibly 'tippy' - narrow shelves with that height on wheels... I'd be very careful where I placed a unit like this, and I'd never actually try to roll it anywhere while it's loaded. If I where to make this myself, with these materials, I'd go no higher than three shelves. And that would still be liable to tipping.

posted by Jenn W (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-01-19 14:54

'were' not 'where'... dang

'were' not 'where'... dang it!

posted by Jenn W (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-01-19 14:55
clips
brookifer86's picture

Tipping

Yes, it does tip easily and I wrote that in the notes. What I did was secure it to the wall studs with 2.5" screws in 4 places. I've hung on it myself and it's not going anywhere! Though it does make the castors purely decorative. If you want mobility, I'd either make it shorter like you suggested or make it wider by joining two boards together with a 1x3. Though even then, tall shelves are easy for little hands (or paws) to grab and tip

posted by brookifer86 | on Thu, 2012-01-19 15:24

Stain?

Fantastic project! I was wondering what color/type of stain you used - that color looks so gorgeous & rustic! Still have the can around?

posted by Jo W (not verified) | on Thu, 2012-01-19 17:48

How cool! I love the

How cool! I love the industrial look! I like how this could be modified and have a matching shorter shelving section or a little table on castors.

posted by Liesl (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-01-23 11:57

Ewm Pxzyglqtr

Lbxhdloq ヴィトン 財布 ヴェルニ Msln Gemnsee www.japanuggbootsoutletax.info Asroc Fnyrww バッグ コーチ Rf Itb 財布 エルメス Maxhkrvor Oxt ugg ブーツ キッズ Paumxndvwp

posted by pgjdgebhs (not verified) | on Mon, 2012-12-10 20:01

pipes

Hi Ana, I was wondering if aluminum pipes would work in place of the galvanized steel? I want something a bit more decorative (see link below), but I'm not sure if aluminum can hold up under the weight of the wood. What do you think? http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202106617/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=spindle&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202938845#.UNsCNG_9rng

posted by Shyrl (not verified) | on Wed, 2012-12-26 09:01

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Recent comments

Social

Let's Connect

Tweets

  •  

User login

Not Much >>

What's going on up here in Alaska.

Momplex Cam >>

Momplex Cam >>
We are DIYing our moms a Duplex in Alaska! Check out our progress so far as we owner build a home, step by step. Read the Momplex blog here.