How to Construct a Furniture Dolly

Choose straight lumber free from cracks and splits.

Furniture dollies, with their low profile and rugged construction, can carry incredibly heavy loads, which makes moving even the most unwieldy furniture and appliances much easier. Construct your own furniture dolly from 2-by-4 lumber and heavy-duty casters for a great addition to your tool collection. Choose nice, straight lumber, free from splits and cracks and buy the heaviest rating casters you can afford.

Things You'll Need

• Circular saw
• 1 piece 2-by-4-inch lumber 10 feet long
• 4 drywall screws, 2½ inches
• Drill
• 1 drill bit, ¼ inch thick
• 4 heavy-duty casters
• 16 carriage bolts, 3½-by-¼ inch
• 16 lock washers
• 16 nuts with ¼-inch thread
• Indoor/outdoor carpet
• Utility knife

Instructions

Building the Frame

1. Cut four pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber with a circular saw. Cut two at 24 inches and two at 30 inches.

2. Set the two 24-inch pieces on a sturdy, level work surface on their wide faces, parallel to each other with 23 inches between them.

3. Set the two 30-inch pieces on top of these to form a 24-by-30-inch rectangle. Set the top pieces flush at the corners. Attach using one 2½-inch drywall screw in each corner.

Adding the Casters

1. Turn the rectangle dolly frame over so that the 24-inch pieces are now on top. Use one of your casters as a template. Set it on top of the 24-inch 2-by-4 where it overlaps the 30-inch piece in the corner of the frame. Mark the four holes in the corners of the caster plate onto the face of the 2-by-4. Repeat in all corners.

2. Set two pieces of scrap 2-by-4 underneath your dolly frame to lift it off of your work surface. Drill holes through the dolly frame in each of the 16 locations marked for the corners of the caster plates, using a ¼-inch wood bit.

3. Position a caster over the four holes in one corner of the frame. Install a 3½-by-¼-inch carriage bolt through each hole, with the head on the topside of the frame, away from the caster. Place a lock washer and nut on each bolt and tighten them down with a wrench. Repeat in all corners.

Adding Carpet for Padding

1. Cut two pieces of scrap indoor/outdoor carpet 6½ inches by 30 inches with a utility knife. Mark the pieces out on the back of the carpet with a magic marker for easy cutting.

2. Wrap the pieces around the 30-inch 2-by-4s and staple in place with a pneumatic stapler, or use upholstery tacks and a hammer to attach.

3. Flip the dolly over with the casters up and use duct tape to tape down the edges of the carpet to prevent unraveling. Unraveled threads can catch in the casters and cause accidents.

Resources

• Best Gardening Supplies: Furniture Dolly