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Industrial Cart – Apothecary Cabinet

April 10, 2015 by Amy 17 Comments

I’m excited about this project, I was able to collaborate with the talented Amy from High Style Restyle.   Amy and her Dad picked up an awesome curb side find, an oak china cabinet headed for the dump.  The top part of the hutch was transformed into a beautiful barrister style bookcase.   For the bottom cabinet, she envisioned an industrial cart/ apothecary cabinet.   
Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the after pics, unbelievable!!!I’ve certainly got to hand it to Amy, I never would have thought of making an industrial cart out of a china hutch – some people just have all of the creativity!  Amy contacted me to help with some plans and I was more than happy to help out.  Her final product is way better than the plans I sent, and it turned out amazing!  Can you even believe it’s the same cabinet?

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Since we won’t all be lucky enough to find an oak china cabinet on the side of the road, I’ll share plans on how to make this industrial cart from scratch, then make sure you go visit Amy’s post for all the in process steps and to get that beautiful finish!

How to Build an Industrial Cart – Apothecary Cabinet

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Materials

  • 1 sheet 3/4″ plywood
  • 1 – 1″ x 2″ x 8′ board
  • 2 – 1″ x 3″ x 8′ board
  • 1 – 2″ x 8″ x 10′ board
  • 1 – 2″ x 6″ x 8′ board
  • 3 – 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 4′ poplar hobby boards, or 1/4″ plywood
  • 1 glued wood panel 3/4″ x 24″ x 60″ (or wood glued together)
  • 1 – 1″ x 6″ x 8′ board – optional drawers
  • 1/2″ sheet 5 mm sheathing, underlayment plywood – optional drawers
  • 1 sheet 1/2″ plywood – optional drawers
  • 1 – 2″ x 4″ x 8′ board – optional drawers
  • 4 casters
  • 4 inset hinges – optional drawers
  • 18 cup label pulls
  • 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws
  • 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws
  • 1″ pocket hole screws – optional drawers
  • 3/4″ brad nails
  • wood glue
  • wood filler
  • sand paper
  • paint/stain/top coat

Cut List

industrial cart cutlist

Step 1

First we’ll build the face frame.  Drill pocket holes in both ends of the 42 1/2″ pieces, and the 23 1/2″ piece.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket screws to assemble the face frame.industrial cart- faceframe

On the 2 side panels (3/4″ x 17 1/4″ x 27 1/2″) drill pocket holes on the inside face to attach to the face frame and to attach the top later.  Inset the sides 1/4″ from the edge of the face frame and secure with wood glue and 1 1/4″ screws.industrial cart- attach sides

Drill pocket holes in the bottom piece (16 1/2″ x 45 1/2″) to attach to the face frame, sides and back.  The bottom should be flush with the cabinet opening, and 1 3/4″ inset from the bottom.  Secure the bottom with wood glue and 1 1/4″ screws.industrial cart- attach bottom

Drill pocket holes in the back piece to attach the sides.  Use wood glue and 1 1/4″ screws to attach it to the sides and bottom.industrial cart- attach back Install caster wheels on the bottom.  The ones used in this model are 8”, but you can use whatever size you like and can afford (goodness they can get expensive 🙂 ).

industrial cart- Attach casters

Step 2

For the top, if you want the plank look leave the bevel on the 2×8’s and 2×6.  If you want an flat look, trim down the sides of the 2×8’s and 2×6 to remove the bevel.  Cut the boards to 49 1/2″ long and use wood glue and 2 1/2″ pocket holes and screws to join the boards together.  Install the top on the cabinet with 1 1/4″ screws.
industrial cart- top join

If you want to add a little trim detail, add 1/4″ x 2 1/2″ x 17 1/4″ boards to the sides of the cabinet.  You can either purchase poplar boards in that size (they are a little pricey), or cut your own from 1/4″ plywood/mdf.  Use wood glue and 3/4″ brad nails to secure in place.
industrial cart- install side trim

Step 3

You have a few option on the doors.  On Amy’s industrial cart the doors are routed to look like apothecary drawers.  The door is 3/4″ glued wood panel with grooves routed 3/8″ deep.  You can also use a 3/4″ piece of wood or plywood for the doors and attach ‘drawers’ or wood squares to look like apothecary drawers to the door.  Whichever method you decided to use, here is a sketch of dimensions to give you an even spacing.industrial cart- route doors Use inset hinges to install the doors onto the cabinet.  You may need to install them in an area that dodges the drawers (if installing drawers), depending on the style that you use.  Install pulls on the ‘drawers’.  The pulls in the model are cup pulls, and on Amy’s industrial cart they are cup label pulls.

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!You are ready for sanding and finish.  However if you’d like to add inside storage you can check out the following steps.

Step 4

Depending on what you want to use the cabinet for, you may want to add shelves and/or pull out drawers.  This step will give you instructions if you want to add them.

ShelvesConvert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

For any shelves you want to add, you’ll need to put supports on each end, an easy option is ¾” x 1 ½” x 16” (or left over 1×3) glued and nailed to the side.  Or add holes for pegs if you want adjustable shelves.

industrial cart-shelf

Drawers

The drawers use 1×6 wood front, ½” plywood, 5 mm (3/16”) sheathing for the bottoms and 1” pocket hole screws.  You don’t have to use this style of drawer, but they have worked well for me over the years.  Here are the overall drawer dimensions.

industrial cart- drawers

Cut the 1×6 to 19 ½” long.  If you want a handle, you make one however you want, but here are some dimensions for mine.  industrial cart- drawer handle

Cut dados on each side of the drawer fronts that are ½” wide and ½” deep.  Cut a dado that is ¼” from the bottom and 3/16” wide and ¼” deep.   Drill pocket holes for ½” material to secure the sides to the fronts.  Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Cut 2 sides that are 5 ½” x 15 ¾” x ½”.  Cut a dado 1/4″ from the bottom and 1/4″ deep that is the same width as the 5 mm sheathing plywood.  Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Cut a back piece that is 5 ½” x 18 ½” x ½”.  Cut a dado 1/4″ from the bottom and 1/4″ deep that is the same width as the 5 mm sheathing plywood.  On the backside, drill pocket holes for ½” material to secure the sides to the back.  Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Cut a bottom piece from 5 mm sheathing (3/16”) that is 15 3/16” x 18 15/16”.  Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Apply wood glue to the side dados on the front piece and the sides of the back piece.  Place the bottom in the bottom dados, place the sides on and secure with 1” or ¾” pocket hole screws.

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

For the drawers, you’ll have to put in rail supports, like 2×4’s.  It’ll probably be easiest to use a Kreg pocket hole jig to secure them to the face frame, back and/or bottom.  The boards need to be flush with the cabinet door openings and parallel to each other, or the drawer slides won’t work.

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

 

There are a few options for drawer slides, but I really like the ball bearing kind, here’s a cheap place to get them.   You will need the 15 ¾” ones (the price is for 2 slides – 1 drawer).  The regular drawer slides will work just fine too.

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Install the other side of the drawer slides on the drawers and install them into the cabinet, make any adjustments/shim as necessary.

Step 5

Apply wood filler to any cracks, blemishes and holes as necessary, allow to dry.  Sand the wood filler and the cabinet smooth, ending with 120-150 grit sand paper.  If staining, start with wood conditioner, then stain according to the manufacturers directions and allow to dry.  Finish the dresser with a 1-2 coats of polyurethane or your preferred top coat.  Check out Amy’s finishing tips.

Once the top coat is cured, add pulls to the ‘drawers’.

Enjoy your industrial cart!

Download the Free Building plans

Industrial Cart Plans

Pin it!

Convert an old cabinet into an industrial cart - apothecary cabinet or build one from scratch with these free woodworking plans.  You have got to see the before pics, unbelievable!!!

Linked to: my favorite link parties, remodelaholic, savvysouthernstyle

Related

Filed Under: Bedroom Furniture, Entry, Family Room Furniture, Free Woodworking Plans, Upcycle Tagged With: cabinet, industrial

Attention: Any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your work site. Hertoolbelt LLC will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

Comments

  1. Elisha @ Pneumatic Addict Furniture says

    April 11, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    Love love love this! Totally my style. Thanks for the plans!

    Reply
  2. Derrick Lawless says

    April 13, 2015 at 10:01 am

    Wow! Great tutorial, so detailed!

    Reply
  3. Nikki Frank-Hamilton says

    April 14, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    I have been trying to figure out a table for my entryway, and this would be perfect! I love it. Every bit of it! I am pinning for reference, thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 15, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Awesome, thanks

      Reply
  4. Alli says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:07 am

    Looks like I know what my husband will be doing this weekend!-lol! Thank you for the instructions!!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 15, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      No Problem!

      Reply
  5. Victoria says

    April 16, 2015 at 10:40 am

    One trick to getting cheap casters is to buy the least expensive moving dollie at harborfreight.com and deconstruct it for the wheels. You end up with 4 3-4 inch casters for $8-12 total instead of each. Also, your local Habitat for Humanity Restore will likely have casters for WAY cheaper than your local hardware store.

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 16, 2015 at 1:24 pm

      Great tips, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  6. Lou Lou Girls says

    April 27, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    This looks so incredible! I’m always so amazed by your talent. Pinned and tweeted. Please join us on Monday at 7 pm and party with us! It is so super fun to see what you have been working on! Lou Lou Girls

    Reply
    • Amy says

      April 27, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Thank you, but Amy at High Style Restyle is the real talent on this project…I just provided the plans 🙂

      Reply
  7. brooke says

    May 1, 2015 at 8:59 am

    WOW, that cabinet is amazing, I have been looking for one….but you have inspired me to build one!! I am so lucky to be featured with you on MY Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

    Brooke

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 1, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks Brooke, you can do it!

      Reply
  8. Bernie says

    May 7, 2015 at 8:23 am

    This will be heavy, especially when loaded. You’ll need at least a pair of wheels that swivel on one end or you can forget about moving it around if you needed to.

    Reply
  9. LZ Cathcart@ The Summery Umbrella says

    May 18, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    I’ve been wanting to create an Apothecary Cabinet for awhile now, and your tutorial is awesome! The wheels are genius. I’m always moving my furniture around so this would be so beneficial. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      May 19, 2015 at 10:01 am

      Thanks, make sure to check out Amy’s finishing tutorial too!

      Reply
  10. LZ Cathcart@ The Summery Umbrella says

    June 22, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Oh wow, Amy! You are truly talented! I absolutely love that you provide instructions for both options. Truly gorgeous 🙂

    Reply
    • Amy says

      June 22, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks LZ, but Amy at High Style Restyle is the real rock star on this project. I just provided plans 🙂

      Reply

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