How to build a metal tool cart – 6 Simple Steps
Are you very much worried about keeping your essential tools together so that you can find them easily when you need? Do you miss your important tools frequently? Then a good tool cart is the best solution for you. Stay with me and I'll walk you through the whole process of How to build a metal tool cart.
In this article, I have brought up an in-depth discussion about a metal tool cart, it features and how to build a metal tool cart. Let’s see what are here for you!
Metal Tool Cart
A metal tool cart is mainly a metal box having two or three drawers in it. It is very handy furniture to keep the tools organized. A metal tool cart is mainly made of sheet metal. It is more durable any other wooden box.
Features of a Metal Tool Cart
- 1Easy to move
- 2Power by wheels
- 3Locking System and 2 standard
- 4Powder coat paint
- 5Scratch resistance
- 6Chemical resistance
- 7Several trays
- 8Ball-Bearing Slide
- 9Several Drawers
- 10Individual lock
How to build a metal tool cart?
It may be that you cannot afford to buy a tool cart now. But it has been essential to keeping your tools together safely. Then what can you do?
Yes, you can do one thing and that is you can make your metal tool cart. Believe me, it is not very hazard task. You can easily do it if you know some basic steps to making a metal tool cart.
I am going to share with you these steps which were secret to you before! You will know how to build a cart with wheels from these steps. You will also get an idea about how to make a toolbox out of sheet metal below.
So let’s start:
Step One: Make the Design
The design is the most important part to build a metal tool cart. So, make a good design before starting making your metal tool cart.
You should have a pretty design idea for your cart. In your design give emphasis on using sheet metal rather than rod angel to save money. At the time of designing, consider if you have any metal tool chest plans. Consider your room space also.
Start going through all of your sheet metal that how much metal you need to purchase to build a metal cart. Then make a quick sketch of your desired tool cart on paper to get the measurements.
It will help you to know demand that how many drawers you need. You can also measure its deepness by sketching. It will help you with wastage of your materials.
Step Two: Collect the Essential Tools and Materials
As a second step of your metal tool cart making, you have to collect some tools and materials for your project. You will easily find them in hardware shops.
To smooth your collecting process, I am bringing up here a list of tools and materials you will need:
Lincoln 210 MP Welder
FEIN Angle Grinder
375 Air Plasma Cutter
Welding Table
Milwaukee FUEL Impact
Metal Chop Saw
FEIN Slugger Drill
Die Grinder
Air compressor
Brad nail gun
Air hose
Circular saw
Cordless drill
Clamps
Countersink drill bit
Hearing protection
Framing square
Miter saw
Safety glasses
Table saw
Straightedge
Sheet Metal
90-degree clamp
Step Three: Cut the Sheet Metal According to Your Cart Size
Now you have to cut the sheet metal to get your desired size for your metal cart. But if you have free sheet metal tool box plans, you can use free size sheet metal then.
Actually, it depends on you that if you use free sheet metal or use it by cutting. But if you need to cut your sheet metal, you will need following tools and materials to run this cutting mission perfectly as well as safely.
- Materials and Tools
Tin snips
4 foot by the 8-foot sheet metal
Two Sawhorses
Tape measure
Straight edge
Pencil
Plastic molding (optional)
Two Wooden blocks (optional)
8′long 1×2 furring strip
Safety glasses
Wood clamps (optional)
Work gloves
Metal cutting drill bit
Power drill
Metal file
- How to Cut Sheet Metal for Cart?
To cut your sheet metal for your cart simply goes through the following steps:
Step One:
Buy a pair of tin snips that you need for of cutting your project entails. Many tin snips have a color code on the handles. These color codes represent three basic varieties:
- red handles means the snips cut left,
- green-handled means the snips cut right
- Yellow-handled means the snips cut straight.
Step Two:
Set up a stable, sturdy, workbench that can support the size of your sheet metal. Usually, a 4 foot by 8-foot sheet metal needs two sawhorses as an ideal workbench.
Step Three:
Lay the sheet metal on the workbench. Then lay your pattern on it. Sketch your design pattern on the sheet metal using a tape measure, straightedge, and pencil.
When you will get your desired shape, just set up the whole arrangement on your sheet metal for tracing. Once the tracing is done, remove it.
Step Four:
Don’t forget to put on your work gloves and safety glasses before grabbing your tin snips. First of all open the tool completely.
Then seat the edge of your sheet metal in the jaws as deep as possible. Align the blade of the tool with your pattern line. Keep contact with the upper blade of tin snips and the sheet metal.
Cut squeezing the handles in one hand. Repeat the process until final the cut is done.
Step Five:
Now, run a metal file to clean them up. Remove if there are any lingering burrs to get a fresh sheet metal piece.
Step Four: Start the Construction
Step Five: Construct the Drawers
The drawers are a small part of a metal tool cart. But it is main part as you actually keep your tools in this part. So, be sure that you are making your drawer properly.
The numbers of drawers depending on your want. Generally, a metal tool cart has 2-3 drawers. You may make more if you need.
To run a proper drawer construction, try the following steps:
- 1Cut out the drawer bottom.
- 2Cut out all the four sides.
- 3Set up one side bottom. Then secure on each end. Do it with the 90-degree clamp.
- 4Fasten with nails, staples, or screws.
- 5Attach 90-degree clamp on opposite side and then use assemble it.
- 6Slide the remaining sides and fasten.
- 7Attach the drawer slide onto drawer.
Step Six: Assemble All the Parts Properly
Bottom Line
As a Whole, I can hope that you have been now little bit expert in balding a metal cart. What a good news! You can make your friends and family wonder now making your metal tool cart. It is not tough to you anymore.
But keep in mind one thing that you are working with metal parts which cause you serious injury anytime. So, don’t forget to take adequate sate measures before starting making a metal cart.
One more thing, don’t forget to collect all the necessary tools and materials prior to the work. Otherwise, you may have to rush to market even at the time of your making process.