How to Make a Wooden Cart

A wooden cart — or island — can turn a standard kitchen into a more functional workspace with better aesthetics. Position the cart in the center of your kitchen for added counter and storage space. A 2 by 4 foot cart top provides a wide surface on which you can prepare food or place snacks for people to eat. Including a shelf below the surface gives you an alternative place to store pots, plastic containers or bar stools.

Work gloves
Safety glasses
Dust mask
Measuring tape
Pencil
Circular saw
2 by 24 by 48 inch maple wood cart surface
120 grit sand paper
2 by 2 by 36 inch maple wood legs (4)
Router
Wood glue
2 by 4 by 44 inch maple wood framing boards (2)
2 by 4 by 20 inch maple wood framing boards (2)
2 by 2 by 44 inch maple wood shelf frames (2)
2 by 2 by 20 inch maple wood shelf frames (2)
Drill
2 3/4 inch wood screws (multiple)
1 by 2 by 48 inch maple wood shelf boards (7)
1 3/4 inch wood screws (multiple)
1/2 inch wheels (4)
1/2 inch wood screws (multiple)
Wood stain
Paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Slide on a pair of work gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask to protect your skin, eyes and lungs.
- 2
  Measure and cut one 2x24x48 inch maple wood cart surface using a circular saw. Sand the surface smooth with 120 grit paper. Sand all subsequently cut pieces with 120 grit paper.
- 3
  Measure and cut four 2 by 2 by 36 inch maple wood legs.
- 4
  Flip the cart surface upside down. Carve four 1 by 2 by 2 inch holes in the underside of the cart surface to insert the legs. Insert and bond each leg into the underside of the cart surface with wood glue.
- 5
  Measure and cut two 2 by 4 by 44 inch maple wood framing boards. Position the short ends of each board between the respective cart legs. Adjust one of the long ends of each board so it is flush with the underside of the cart surface. Bond the boards into place with wood glue.
- 6
  Measure and cut two 2 by 4 by 20 inch maple wood framing boards. Position the short ends of each board between the respective cart legs. Adjust one of the long ends of each board so it is flush with the underside of the cart surface. Bond the boards into place with wood glue.
- 7
  Cut two 2 by 2 by 44 inch maple wood shelf frames and two 2 by 2 by 20 inch maple wood shelf frames. Measure 10 inches down from the top of each leg. Mark this spot on each leg with a pencil. Attach one 2 by 44 inch frame piece horizontally between one set of legs using a drill and 2 3/4 inch wood screws. Attach the remaining three framing pieces into place between the legs in an identical manner.
- 8
  Flip the table over so it stands upright. Cut seven 1 by 2 by 48 inch maple wood shelf boards. Evenly space and attach each board between the two 20 inch framing pieces with 1-3/4-inch wood screws.
- 9
  Turn the table upside down one more time. Attach one 1/2-inch wheel to each leg with 1/2-inch wood screws. Flip the table back over. Coat the cart with wood stain. Allow the cart 24 hours to dry in a well-ventilated area before using.

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