11.1.6 Rolling Caddies

 The WWSL

In the WWSL blog post Work Spaces I discussed the given and druthers for my modeling space. Here I am going to discuss the rolling caddy specifics.

Given and Druthers

Rolling Caddies. Some activities have to be done at the layout. I need some means of bringing selected tools and supplies to the work location, and keeping those tools and supplies organized. 

Andrew

When I started building the WWSLs benchwork, I built a rolling tool and parts caddy (named Andrew) to keep a handle on the myriad of drywall screws, mending plates, angle plates, etc needed to get the benchwork up and ready for right of way activities. I even added an attic fan to the back to cool me off on those hot days and several outlets for power tools.

Andrew was a great idea and I realized that after the benchwork was done that I could reuse that caddy for right of way construction. It now houses the various jigs, templates, tools, glues, electrical supplies, etc to make right of way construction easier. When right of way construction is done, Andrew will be reused to house the paint booth and paint supplies.

Jeffrey

 

I made another rolling caddy (named Jeffrey) for scenery supplies. It has three drawers for all the scenery supplies and equipment that is needed for landform and ground cover development (less tree building and water). This rolling caddy alone relocated 8 linear feet of scenery material from the right of way! and its top will be the work platform for making sculpamold and hydrocal plaster.

 

Assembly was pretty simple. Your results may vary.

1.Make a base the size of the length and width of the drawers. (Yes I recycled these drawers from the garbage too). I used 2" by 4" lumber for the width and 1" by 4"lumber for the length. The 1" by 4" goes on top.

2. Make the sides from any plywood or chipboard material you have on hand. I used 3/4" because it takes the abuse of rolling better. Size it for the width of the drawer and the total height of three items - the height of the 2" by 4" plus the height of the number of drawers your going to use plus a half inch of separation between drawers.

3. Make a back the length of the drawers plus the thickness of the sides, and the height of the sides.

4. Screw the bottom of each side to the 2" by 4" base. I used regular I used  1 1/4" inch drywall screws.

5. Screw the back into the end of each side.

6. Put the lowest drawer into the caddy and mark the top edge of the drawer on the inside of the side. Mark the back the same height. Do the same on the other side.

7. Put a wood drawer slide (I used a 1" by 2" along the mark, cut to length and screw into the side.

8. Place the second drawer on the drawer slide and check for clearance with the first drawer. Raise or lower the drawer slide as necessary.

9. Repeat steps 6,7,8 as necesary.

10. Turn the rolling caddy on its side and mount the rollers. 

If you want a top, measure the dimensions and cut a piece of plywood to fit. I did so I had a place to make hydrocal molds and sculpamold soil paste.

 

Bottom

Sides

 

Back

Rollers