[HokieMojo]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

Vicki,
For the price, I like it. I don't remember off the top of my head, but I think it was a 10 inch. I think 14 is the usual size for being able to resaw wider boards. I'd upgrade to that in a heartbeat if it was in the budget, but for now I'm quite content. Because I plan to upgrade though, I am not investing much more in blades so I'm limited to the 2 high grade blades I bought at the outset.

 

[HokieMojo]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Hey Purp,
I assure you, it is just the camera. If you look at my first photo, the top and bottom look like they are sagging. If you look at the 4th photo, the top looks like it is arched and the bottom still looks like it is sagging. I've had this problem with the camera I'm using for a while now, but the lens distorts the photos. I DO appreciate looking out for me though. Also, the back plywood is screwed in to all the framing to add rigidity and that really helps.

 

[Blondewood]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Thanks for the feedback. I've had a bit of a problem getting the blade to track correctly. It might be operator error, but I've tried every tip I've found and made a million adjustments. I might be wrong but I think the small BSs have a smaller margin of error when it comes to alignment. I also have a dickens of a time alignning the lower bearings. Real tight quarters.

 

[HokieMojo]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

I think the toughest part is getting the blade tight enough. Right when you are about to get it where you want it, it turns out that it is overtightened for such a small saw. lol. It is frustrating. I think I'd have an easier time if I weren't using a 1/2" blade almost all the time.

 

[Blondewood]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

My problem is that if I tighten it as much as I'd want, my 1/4" blade will come off the wheel. The spot where it stays put makes the blade seem to have too much play to me. So, I just leave it a bit loose and make the comprimise. Seems to me that when the blade is tensioned properly it should be kinds like a scroll saw blade and not have much 'wiggle'.

 

[HokieMojo]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

I think you worded it better than I did. It sounds like we are in the same boat.

 

[RexMcKinnon]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Nice work center. I have the same BS and the think that drives me crazy about it is the lack of support up here in Canada. They don't sell the freakin' blades. WTF. Sears in the states are ready to order them for me but they need a US address . Anyway I think I found another source but I have not tried them yet.

 

[Blondewood]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

@Hokie…....well your having trouble too makes me feel better (sorry bout that). Makes me think it's not just my goof up. Thanks.

@Rex…....I don't know if they ship to Canada, but http://www.pswood.com/home.php is really good. Or search google for Timberwolf blades.

 

[RSQMonkey]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Ok I am gonna do this next week. Finishing up your plywood cart this weekend. Strangely enough I also just bought a jointer on craigslist and it does not work either. Holy similarities Batman!

 

[RSQMonkey]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

The joiner issue only took $200 for a new motor and pulley and belt. Sigh… Back on track!

 

[RayA2]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Hokie, That is is an Excellent Concept and a very good use of bench top space. Great idea for a small work area like mine. But I think I'll swap out some of the bottom tool storage for an on-board shop-vac dust collection system. Thank you for sharing.

 

[RayA2]

Mobile Tool Cart (with photos)

This post relates to a project I've been designing in my mind for a couple of years. I've had a lot of trouble figuring out exactly how I wanted to configure everything on my cart to effectively utilize 4 bench tools (miter saw saw, band saw, drill press, and bench grinder) while still fitting a lot of storage underneath and remaining mobile.

Here is what I built

It is about 3 feet tall (not counting the casters) is 4 feet wide, and is 20" deep. I used about 1 1/2 sheets of 3/4 inch poplar plywood and half a sheet of 1/4 ply for the back. I bought casters online. They seem to work well. I'll try to remember to post a a review of them.

I think the most important part of the build is the layout of the bench tools on the top. I can cut a 3 ft piece of lumber on the miter saw without extra support. I also have good access to the drill press and bandsaw with zero interference from other tools. All the dust collection of the tools point in the same direction so hooking up some hoses to a shop vac should be easy enough. Here is an overhead shot so you can see the layout.

I know I mentioned that it holds four bench tools. The fourth tool would be the bench grinder. That will temporarily be put right in front of the bandsaw. I think that will work fine for the occasional use it gets.

Here is a shot of the storage that the cart offers. This is more than any other item in my shop offers:

Finally, here is a shot of one of the sides. I plan to hang some tools on there like my framing square, speed square, some smaller tools like my mallet, chisels, etc. On the other side I'll probably hang my shop vac hoses, pipes, and attachments.

Hey Hokie, What happened to these project photos. They are so blurry that you can barely see the workbench.