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This bar cart is a small, simple shelving box on wheels — two 2x4 apron-and-leg frames tied together by slatted 1x4 shelves top and bottom, trimmed in 1x2 for a finished edge. Build the two frames first, then attach the legs before either shelf goes on, so the whole structure is a rigid box before it's carrying any slatted weight.
The slats attach with glue plus your choice of staples, nails, or screws — any of the three work, since this joint carries light, distributed weight rather than a structural load. Trim the shelf edges out with 1x2 after the slats are down, which is what gives the cart's edges a clean, finished line instead of exposed slat ends.
A towel bar or pipe fitting mounted to one end becomes a genuinely useful push handle and a place to hang bar towels or a wine key — small addition, real function. Caster wheels on all four legs are what make the whole point of a "cart" work; skip them and this is just a small shelf unit.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft | 4 each |
| 1x4, 10 ft | 3 each |
| 1x2, 8 ft | 2 each |
| Self-tapping exterior screws, 2-1/2" | 30 each |
| Galvanized staples or screws, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Wood glue | 2 oz |
| Caster wheels, 4" | 4 each |
| Towel bar or pipe fitting | 1 each |
| Primer and paint | 1 set |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| End aprons2x4, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 12 3/4" |
| Side aprons2x4, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 34 1/4" |
| Legs2x4, 8 ft | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 31 1/4" |
| Bottom shelf short slats1x4, 10 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 12 3/4" |
| Top and bottom shelf slats1x4, 10 ft | 18 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
| End trim1x2, 8 ft | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 37 1/4" |
Buy 10 boards at 8 ft.
4 boards
4 boards
2 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Assemble the two frames from the end and side aprons using 2-1/2" exterior screws and wood glue.
Attach the legs to the frames.
Attach the slats to the frame tops with staples, nails, or screws, using glue at every joint.
Trim the shelf edges out with the 1x2 trim, using glue and staples, nails, or screws. Attach the caster wheels and the towel bar handle. Sand and finish.
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