DIY Saw Portable Cart

A portable cart, also called a dolly, can be used to move heavy objects from one location to another. You can saw a plywood sheet to make your own cart. Household tools will be needed, as will supplies from a hardware store. No special expertise is needed. This do-it-yourself cart can be used indoors or outdoors to eliminate having to carry the objects and risk potentially dangerous back injuries.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic tarp
• Plywood sheet, 18-by-10-by-2 inches
• Tape measure
• Straightedge
• Pencil
• Medium-grit sandpaper
• Rough cloth
• Nails
• 8 wood blocks, 2-by-2-by-2 inches
• Portable drill, 1-inch drill bit
• 8 metal washers, 1-inch diameter
• 4 cart wheels, 1-inch diameter
• 4 metal nuts, 1-inch diameter
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Place the plastic tarp on the floor. Place the plywood sheet on the tarp. Measure in 6 inches from the left side of the sheet and make a dot with the pencil. Draw a line with the pencil vertically up the side of the sheet facing you so it goes through the dot. Measure 10 inches across and make a dot on the sheet. Draw a line with the pencil vertically down the side of the sheet.

2. Cut out the lines on the sheet with a hand saw to make a square. Sand the cut sides of the square with medium-grit sandpaper until they feel smooth. Wipe the sides off with a rough cloth. Place the excess plywood aside.

3. Place a wood block on each corner of the square. Hammer 1 nail through each block and into the square. Turn the square over. Hammer 2 nails into each corner. Turn the square over.

4. Drill a hole through the center of each wood block with a portable drill. Place a metal washer over each hole. Run the rod attached to a cart wheel through each hole. Turn the square over.

5. Place a metal washer over each rod. Screw a metal nut over each rod. Continue to screw the nut until it meets resistance. Tighten each nut with a pliers.

6. Place any object that you want to transport -- inside or outside -- on your homemade cart, and push the cart to its desired location.

Resources

• Ask the Builder: Wood Cutting Tips Video