84 - How to Build a Flip Top Tool Cart - Double your Shop Space & Storage

Plans available here:

This project was a design that I had wanted for a bit, but was spurred on by some of our KFW Community members. It is also a collaboration between us and a friend of ours, Michael Long. He has a YouTube channel and came up to the shop for two days so that we could build something together. We had decided on seeing what piece of shop furniture we could build from one sheet of plywood.

I have a couple of benchtop tools that are always a pain to pick up to a table and use. It’s a hassle to drag them out from where I last left them, and then go about setting them up. And the Ridgid Oscillating Spindle Sander, is really a pretty tall tool. To use that on top of a bench is really just too high in my opinion. I’ve been using stationary oscillating spindle sanders for 30 years, and I’ve always been able to look down comfortably on the work and see the line that I am trying to sand down to. It’s the only way that I know how to get an extremely accurate result. If the tool is too high, it’s just too difficult.

This leads me to the design. I was originally just going to go with one of the designs that one of the other fine YouTube woodworkers have done, and save some time. But when I investigated, I found that many of them put the sander’s table at chest height. And that’s almost a foot too high for my comfort. I was also wondering about stability. If it’s so tall, I was worried it could be top heavy. After a lot of searching, I couldn’t find anything lower. So I set about designing one from the ground up.

I knew I’d have to eliminate the drawer below that was so common, because that adds 6” or more in height. Then I knew I’d have to get the wheels out from under it, because that added another 4-5”. Therefore I created something that pushed the wheels out to the side. This allowed me to drop the bottom almost to the ground. And I saved enough height that I could design this to fit the tallest benchtop planer on the market, and still be up to a foot lower than most of the ones I’ve seen.

There was an added benefit. By pushing the wheels to the side, I got to add some storage shelves. And this widened the structure. Now it was far more stable. So if a planer were mounted, (sideways of course), there would be no fear of toppling over! And that was that. Here it is. And I hope you enjoy it. If you decide you need plans, there is a link above, and I’ll be ever so grateful. The plans are the main way that we fund our channel. So, I do my very best to give you perfect 3D highly detailed plans.

After watching this build, I hope you’ll go over to MK Designs, and watch Michael Long’s build! Here is a link.

Extreme Assembly Table Build:

Things used for this project:

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[taildraggersncd]

Your dry sense of humor is great! The ‘proper’ amount of glue certainly varies between workers….thanks for a great build video; I plan on doing the exact same thing with my spindle sander.

[FrankEtchells]

I'm making a return to 'hobby' woodworking after a few years away from it as my 70th birthday comes along next year. My 'workshop' is challenging size wise with the main area being about 11' 6" x 7' 6" with a bench one side and lathe setup on the other, pillar drill stand and two wheel grinder for lathe tool sharpening etc. Recently added a small saw table bench (about 2'6" square) and small cyclone dust extraction which leaves two small areas either side about 3' x 2' because of the aisle between the two sides. Was looking to add some type of thicknesser and router table and coming across this video has me thinking. Came across it at the right time 👍 Although I've another room about 7'6" square it's mostly storage of stuff gathered over time. Some thinking and rearranging to do. Bought the plans - thanks for making them available. (from over 'the pond')

[brucepeter]

I definitely like the lower cart idea, James. As snowed in wanted to find a shop project and found this one. Even though the video is a few years old. The flip cart is timeless. Thanks for all you and your family do for the woodworking community.

[mrcoutts]

Great geometric concept concerning the centre of gravity that aslo helps the height of the balanced tool. Brilliant family ❤😊🎉

[richardcagle]

Sold. As soon as I get the tools to mount I'll be getting these plans. First thing I saw with pretty much all the others was finished working height. I agree, they're just all too high. Thanks

[gregghernandez]

There are numerous amounts of these cart builds on YouTube, but once I saw your final product and your daughter turning the cart, I just thought WOW that is one beautiful cart! The best I have seen so far. Your cart is so well thought out and functional. A perfect example of Form follows Function. Thanks for this inspirational video!

[johnjohannemann]

I’m not a wood worker but love viewing the builds you share, so thank you 👍🏻

[crossgrainwoodproductsltd]

Hi James and family!! What an awesome build!! My favorite features are the side shelves and the recessed wheels. Very clever and solves a problem many of us have with this type of cart and that is height. Plus you can see the wheel locks much better than when they are placed under the cart. Your channel really deserves much more subs than what you have. There are no negatives, its family-oriented, and you James are an incredible teacher! You even anticipate questions and answer them with the detailed instructions before we could ask. That is a sign of a great teacher!!!

[grandpadaveswoodworking]

It's so awesome that you involve your daughters in your shop. What a great dad!

[mkdesignsfinewoodworking]

Thank you for having us over to do this. I always enjoy hanging out with you guys.

[mrcoutts]

Your always wright about THE GLUE 😂😊😊😊😊😊😊 better to much than not enough. Great team family work 👏 💪 👍

[stevennachlas]

James, I always enjoy your videos. They are amongst the most informative and well done as far as explanations go. What I particularly like is that you bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate/advanced woodworker. I put myself in the latter class but I always pick up some good tips as well as just really good project ideas from you. Thank you for the contact.

[garyhorton]

I am so happy I didn’t build one of the earlier model I’ve seen. Well thought out especially the lower center of gravity.

[justingaughan]

I’ve seen folks do this with black pipe but never PVC but it looks extremely strong. Nice work as usual. Thanks for sharing! 👍

[myleshollywood]

That's a great idea to put the wheels on the side. Thanks for that.

[spindrift]

I watch many of these video's from different content makers before beginning my project. Most of the time KFW is the most valuable and I trust them on the build. However not far behind is April, Steve Ramsey, Stumpy, Fix That Build That, Next Level Carpentry etc., etc. I also trust the tools they recommend to purchase, unless Project Farm determines its a dud. Finished watching this one and I now headed to the shed to cut up some plywood.

[murphyrp]

Always a quality video. Thanks to all the team

[andyboybennett]

I think we need a contest to see who can guess what James and Maia have been doing the past few weeks. I think they had to go into treatment for glueaholism. I noticed that there was very little wasted glue on this build. Now lets see if they can stay on the wagon!


Nice to have a new vid! You do a great job of design and building, and a great job of production! And I love that your daughters work with you.

[theokruger]

I just love watching James … and his family working on these projects. I've learned so much by just watching these videos. Great work James !!

[AlBurr]

I just finished building this. Fairly new to woodworking and the plans were super easy to follow... great job. The accompanying video also was helpful and entertaining at the same time. I just hope I used enough glue.