Im having trouble posting pics, but here's a few of the final product.
I managed to only spend about $15 (for the caster) and the rest was made from scraps or left-overs I had laying around.
I obtained the 3/4 black laminate bottom from an old treadmill that I scavenged for the motor and steel supports. I was actually going to make the frame from metal, but I just couldn't make the measurements work for me with the metal I have, and I'm too busy to make it to the metal yard when they're actually open.
The gussets came from my 3' pile of 2'x4' 1/2 ply. Most of it is going into the house attic as walk boards I just haven't moved it up there yet. This pile was also a free gift from a buddy.
I had the 2xs left over from previous projects and used the left over screws from my fence job last year. Hinges were recovered from my old garage/doors before demo-ing it. The hardware came from my bolt bins which I guess I did pay for at one time. I already had the wood glue
I made it 1" longer and 3" taller (inside dimension)than a sheet to make it easier to load. The full sheets slide in like butter on the laminate bottom.
I also managed to work the dimensions out perfectly so that it sits over the stem wall and the caster is still perfectly centered.
Best part is, I can see what's in it from any angle/side so little pieces won't get lost in the back or bottom. I was planning on some diagonal bracing but after assembling the frame I decided it just wasn't necessary. This thing is stout. It doesn't flex or twist at all .
Forgot to take pics of it all loaded up, maybe later Ill take some.
I plan to add some dimensional lumber racks above this but I want those to be metal so it will have to wait until I have some free time.
Edit 1 more- Had to bore out the bottom a little with a forstner bit to make room for the caster bolts that went through the plate. I wanted a plate on there so the caster was supporting the frame and not the bottom...plus it gave me just enough clearance to get over the stem wall. I could have welded it, but I didn't want to clean up all the saw dust and that also would have meant the caster is permanent. I like the option to re-purpose things or adjust things later on. There's no need for a swivel caster on a single wheel mechanism
I managed to only spend about $15 (for the caster) and the rest was made from scraps or left-overs I had laying around.
I obtained the 3/4 black laminate bottom from an old treadmill that I scavenged for the motor and steel supports. I was actually going to make the frame from metal, but I just couldn't make the measurements work for me with the metal I have, and I'm too busy to make it to the metal yard when they're actually open.
The gussets came from my 3' pile of 2'x4' 1/2 ply. Most of it is going into the house attic as walk boards I just haven't moved it up there yet. This pile was also a free gift from a buddy.
I had the 2xs left over from previous projects and used the left over screws from my fence job last year. Hinges were recovered from my old garage/doors before demo-ing it. The hardware came from my bolt bins which I guess I did pay for at one time. I already had the wood glue
I made it 1" longer and 3" taller (inside dimension)than a sheet to make it easier to load. The full sheets slide in like butter on the laminate bottom.
I also managed to work the dimensions out perfectly so that it sits over the stem wall and the caster is still perfectly centered.
Best part is, I can see what's in it from any angle/side so little pieces won't get lost in the back or bottom. I was planning on some diagonal bracing but after assembling the frame I decided it just wasn't necessary. This thing is stout. It doesn't flex or twist at all .
Forgot to take pics of it all loaded up, maybe later Ill take some.
I plan to add some dimensional lumber racks above this but I want those to be metal so it will have to wait until I have some free time.
Edit 1 more- Had to bore out the bottom a little with a forstner bit to make room for the caster bolts that went through the plate. I wanted a plate on there so the caster was supporting the frame and not the bottom...plus it gave me just enough clearance to get over the stem wall. I could have welded it, but I didn't want to clean up all the saw dust and that also would have meant the caster is permanent. I like the option to re-purpose things or adjust things later on. There's no need for a swivel caster on a single wheel mechanism
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