Menard's Display to Bodywork Cart Conversion

[SouthernIllinois]

I had been sharing bits and pieces of this on my shed / retirement post but I thought I'd put it all together in one post in case anyone found it interesting.

I came across a used, over-the-range microwave display Menard's was selling for $5. I figured I could always use the square tubing for something so I drug it home.

After thinking about it awhile, I decided to turn it into a mobile bodywork cart to be used with my Crusty Corvair project car.

Anyhow, here are the before, during and after pictures of the project.

I am declaring it done for now - I am debating adding hangers for 4.5" grinders but to be honest, I rarely use them - I prefer air cut off saws and die grinders.

A friend that has a bodyshop gave me a Snap-On tool box badge he had, I figured that added at least some value...lol. JK

Be gentle - I am a Submariner and fisherman, not a welder or fabricator.

As it sat at Menards



Wheels going on. 1" angle stock and Menard's wheels



Shelf brackets out of 1/8" angle stock and 1/2" square tubing.



Test fitting shelves. 1" glued edge pine with I forgot how many coats of clear urethane.


Finished product. 1/8" flat expanded metal across the back, vise grip hangers from Etsy and air tool hanger from Mac Tools.

 

[The Cobbler]

nice repurpose!
I'd have grabbed that rack too, for &5 you can't buy the steel

 

[AC-WC]

You need to tape the $5 receipt onto it for bragging rights!

 

[MotorCityBear]

Wow! You did a great job!

 

[larry4406]

Very nice conversion!

I like that Etsy vise grip rack!

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Great build! Looks highly practical & everything’s organized. Definitely a win!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Very nice conversion!

I like that Etsy vise grip rack!

Thanks - FWIW, I ran a #32 rubber band across it to keep the Milwaukee locking pliers in place. With their flat, red thumbscrew on the end they would fall out otherwise.

They work fine with regular vise grips with a round thumbscrew.

 

[Jay870]

Cool project, great deal and nice looking shop!

 

[Bill Bowman]

Nice job. Plus, the price was right. Use it in good health.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Thanks guys - pretty happy with the way it came out.

I did forget - I am waiting on caps for the end of the angle iron the wheels are mounted on. Might save me some stitches.

 

[Bob Peach]

Excellent job! I wish I had the room for something like that in my shop.

 

[Old tool guy]

Be gentle - I am a Submariner and fisherman, not a welder or fabricator.

Interesting, i wouldn’t have guessed there were many submarines in southern illinois …

Nice conversion. Only have two thoughts: are the casters large enough to roll easily? They look like urethane wheels on concrete so they are probsbly good. And do you think the base extensions that the casters are mounted to might need braces back to the uprights?

 

[Mike65]

Nice work.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Interesting, i wouldn’t have guessed there were many submarines in southern illinois …

Nice conversion. Only have two thoughts: are the casters large enough to roll easily? They look like urethane wheels on concrete so they are probsbly good. And do you think the base extensions that the casters are mounted to might need braces back to the uprights?

I got as far away from submarines as I could. I spent 25+ years on them, I had my fill.

Time will tell about the casters. It rolls well now of course it is a brand new, sealed concrete floor. They were cheap at Menards and they would be easy to change out if needed.

It is stable and sturdy. The base extensions the wheels are on are welded to the existing horizontal legs and those legs are braced to the upright tubing with welded 16 gauge steel triangles at the base. It doesn't have any flex.

 

[Meames01]

Looks great. The only thing I would do differently is to mount my 110V Mig on the bottom shelf and build a tank holder on the back as it already has the offset steel for the casters back there. Nice project.

 

[HogDude]

I had been sharing bits and pieces of this on my shed / retirement post but I thought I'd put it all together in one post in case anyone found it interesting.

I came across a used, over-the-range microwave display Menard's was selling for $5. I figured I could always use the square tubing for something so I drug it home.

After thinking about it awhile, I decided to turn it into a mobile bodywork cart to be used with my Crusty Corvair project car.

Anyhow, here are the before, during and after pictures of the project.

I am declaring it done for now - I am debating adding hangers for 4.5" grinders but to be honest, I rarely use them - I prefer air cut off saws and die grinders.

A friend that has a bodyshop gave me a Snap-On tool box badge he had, I figured that added at least some value...lol. JK

Be gentle - I am a Submariner and fisherman, not a welder or fabricator.

As it sat at Menards



Wheels going on. 1" angle stock and Menard's wheels



Shelf brackets out of 1/8" angle stock and 1/2" square tubing.



Test fitting shelves. 1" glued edge pine with I forgot how many coats of clear urethane.


Finished product. 1/8" flat expanded metal across the back, vise grip hangers from Etsy and air tool hanger from Mac Tools.

Outstanding project. I would have found another "name" to put on it.

 

[Jazz1]

Very nice!
I got Under Armour display free that was refused by customer. Very heavy duty consider it was for underwear. All steel and on wheels