Whether you’re a professional mechanic or just a weekend DIY-yer building a DIY doghouse, there’s a certain elegance to a mobile tool chest.
Especially if you’ve got a lot space, it might make sense to add some mobility to your workflow instead of walking back and forth to your workbench.
Make sure your tools are always on hand with a DIY rolling tool chest– check out some of my favorite plans below:
DIY Rolling Tool Chest Plans & Ideas
#1. DIY Rolling Tool Chest
This guide will take you through the making of the rolling tool chest. So, continue reading and get to know how to make a DIY rolling tool chest.
#2. Cordless Tool Chest
#3. DIY Chest of Tools
#4. DIY Filing Cabinet Rolling Tool Chest
It doesn’t matter how much you spend on tools. It matters how often you use them. A rolling tool chest is a fantastic way to keep your tools organized and accessible. This DIY project requires minimal effort and costs almost nothing to build.
#5. Making The Coolest Toolbox Ever
Building a tool chest is an awesome DIY project. It’s also a great way to save some cash. I’ve done this myself several times and it’s really fun and rewarding.
#6. Best DIY Homemade Toolbox
Building a rolling tool chest is an awesome DIY project. It requires minimal tools, and it’s easy to build. This article shows you how to build a tool chest from scratch using scrap wood, some screws and nails, and a drill.
#7. Ultimate Metal Tool Cabinet
In this video, you’ll learn how to make a metal rolling tool chest.
#8. Extra Large Rolling Tool Crate
This is a great project for anyone looking to build something unique for themselves, and it’s also a great project for beginners. It’s easy to put together, inexpensive and requires very little maintenance. Plus it is a handy storage solution when you’re working in your garage.
#9. DIY Wood Tool Chest
A rolling tool chest is an awesome way to keep all your tools organized and easily accessible. It also looks pretty cool. This is a great project for anyone looking for something unique and different to build that’s also pretty practical!
#11. Deluxe Rolling Tool Storage Cabinet
If you want to create something useful that will give you a place to store some tools and keep them organized- this is another great option.
#12. Gorgeous Rolling Tool Chest
How to make your own homemade rolling tool chest
Tools you will need
- Miter saw
- Table saw
- Clamps
- Air compressor
- Air hose
- Circular saw
- Brad nail gun
- Cordless drill
- Countersink drill bit
- Framing square
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses
- Straightedge
Materials you will need
- Screws
- Casters
- Plywood
- Wood glue
Getting started
This is the first step that is a must. Deciding the size of your tool chest is very important. Whether you have a small or big shop, having a rolling tool chest is essential. It will help you move around your working tools from one place to another.
Tool chest makes the endless journey in your shop easier. Making this tool chest is not hard. You just glue and screw or nail the parts together. The needed things are plywood and screws.
Remember, you will always place your table saw in this tool chest, so it must be bigger enough for the saw to fit in. Before starting to cut any parts, measure your largest tools first and ensure you purchase the casters.
Casters of about 2-1/2 inches in diameter are advisable. You will then measure the height of one of the casters and change the lengths on your tool chest’s legs as required.
You will then crosscut the plywood into three pieces of 32 inches before cutting other things. If the cuts are rough, a circular saw will help.
Cutting pieces of legs to length
It is ideal to use the table saw when ripping and cutting the parts to length. Once done with cutting the plywood to sizes, cut the pieces of legs.
Then glue them together with screws or nails to hold the pieces as the glue dries. Also, ensure the ends are even.
Cutting the lower and upper shelves
You should then cut the lower and upper boxes as you glue and screw them. Next, cut the bottom and upper shelf that can fit the boxes.
Glue them to the boxes and screw them into place. Ensure the bottom and shelf do not overhang every box. If that happens, the legs will not fit correctly.
Drawers
The drawers usually need a simple design. The bottom always acts as slides as the front, sides, and back joints. You can make your drawers fancy the way you want.
The choice is yours to make, whether you want a classy DIY tool chest or just a piece of good equipment.
Fasten together the tool chest
You will then fasten the legs to boxes using three screws in every corner. Cut the caster supports and top to a good size, then add them to your tool chest.
It is ideal to choose the right casters that will make your tool chest have a great finish. Small casters are also good if you want a steadier rolling tool chest. Bolting of the casters must be done to the bottom of your tool chest for security reasons.
For best movements, use approximately four casters with the four corners on a full swivel. Then install about two locking casters to add stability. After that, you can then fasten the casters with screws.
Pre-finish the case
Pre-finishing is essential as it keeps your tool chest in a good position. It helps in making the glue breeze because the squeeze-out will not stick to the wood properly. Actually, pre-finishing makes the finishing process less tiresome.
Before you apply the finish, prep the tool chest with a card scraper to make everything smooth and nice, you should not apply the finish where there is a glue joint.
Do the final touches
Having finished the hardest parts, the very last thing you will do to make your tool chest look amazing is to do the final touches. Here, you can cut faux tenons using the hand saw then square off every end using a hand plane.
The faux tenons will help to cover up the screws, which attach the bottom to the sides and add some of the visual interest.
With all that done, it is time you start organizing your small tools into your tool chest.
There’s nothing important like acquiring the right tool for a job, and if you have those tools, the rolling tool chest is the only suitable way to store them. The rolling tool chest is a very convenient way of storing your tools.
Besides, it will save you the hassle of going to the basement or garage every now and then when you want to work on a repair project. It is advisable to take ample time to design a very good rolling tool chest to ensure that your tools are stored in a good way.
Besides, it will also save you the time of looking for it in case you misplace it. You will be surprised that the tool chest will serve you for many years to come when you make it properly.
In Summary
The key to having your tasks completed quickly is by ensuring all your tools are easily accessible.
If your tool collection area isn’t good or is small, it is high time you think of making a DIY rolling tool chest.
These toolboxes will give you an easier time when moving it around. Even though making it will cost you some money, depending on how fancy you go, it is a great investment that is worth your money and time. However, not many people are conversant with the making of the rolling tool chest.
Making a tool chest is very easy only if you know what should be done step by step. The above guide has enlightened you on how to make a DIY rolling tool chest. But, you must ensure you have the necessary materials and tools to make sure that the process goes smoothly.
Reference
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/homemade-wooden-rolling-toolbox-98774.html
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
