Mobile Folding Craft Station

instructables
Mobile Folding Craft Station
by Yvette M
If you live in a small space like me, you'll know how important every little bit of storage can be! Finding space to store art
supplies, and trying to nd speci c supplies when you need them can be a challenge. This project was initially conceived
as a mobile food preparation station while I was completing a Diploma in Visual Arts (Product Design), but quickly got
used as a craft station, as it is perfect for storing and accessing art and craft supplies in my apartment. It has a beautiful
handmade yet modern look and warm colours and texture.
When building, care must be taken to make the frame square, so that the drawers will install easily. I had challenges
installing the drawers as my frame was not glued perfectly square. Opening and closing the table top sides is a bit
awkard due to the position of the wooden 'drop-leaf supports' - you may want to consider a re-design. Attaching the
caster wheels is challenging, but worth doing for mobility. You may also want to consider another solution for attaching
the caster wheels, or make the base xed.
Supplies:
Materials:
Beech or similar wood for Table Top;
Sawn timber sizes;
1 x 500mm L x 500mm W x 27mm T*
2 x 500mm W x 350mm W x 27mm T*
*thickness can be up to 30mm
Oak or similar hardwood for Legs & Rails;
Sawn timber - Leg sizes: 4 x (790mm L x 35mm D)
Sawn timber - Rail sizes;
Top & Middle Rails: 8 x (415mm L x 40mm W x 18 T)
Bottom Rails: 4 x (415mm L x 52mm W x 18 T)
Sawn timber - Drop Leaf Support: 2 x (414mm x 33mm x12mm)
Plywood or similar for Panels:
Sawn timber sizes needed;
Sides and Back: 3 x (393mm L x 415mm W x 12mm T)
Base: 1 x 415mm W x 415 L x 12mm T)
Wood Vaneer strips (if using) - see Step 7
Locking Caster Wheels, bolts and nuts x4 (70mm D)
Drawer slides x2 pairs - 400 L x 46 mm W
Drawer Handles - stainless steel - 2 x 335mm L
Tee Hinge - 2 pack - 150mm
Screws
Masking Tape (small amount)
Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 1

200ml Woodworking glue - quality, fast-drying, for interior use
3 x Sanding sheets (for electric orbital sander) - 80 grit, 120 grit & 180 grit
4 x Sanding sheets - (for lathe and hand-sanding) - 80 grit, 120 grit, 180 grit, and 240 grit
1 x 400 grit Wet & Sandpaper - 1 sheet or small roll.
1 x Sanding block (this can be made by cutting a bit of spare wood into a rectangular block)
250ml tin of Finishing oil: Tung Nut oil or Hardwax oil - high quality, non toxic, colourless
Scrap cardboard
Rags (clean)
Woodworking Equipment:
Woodworking Bench
Table Saw
Surface Planer (Jointer)
Planer Thicknesser
Domino Joiner
Biscuit Joiner
Wood Lathe
Edge forming router bit
Drill
Nail gun (cordless framing nailer)
Angled Nails for nailer - approximately 80 x 25mm
Electric Orbital Sander
Safety Equipment:
Eye protection (safety glasses)
Hearing protection (ear mu s)
Safety footwear (steel cap boots)
Dust mask
Fitted, high strength disposable gloves
Tools:
Woodworking Clamps and Straps (for gluing)
Retractable Ruler
Computer
Calculator
Pencil and eraser
Paper - A3 and notepad

Step 1: Cut Wood for Legs & Rails
Plane the wood so that the wood is smooth and square.

Using a Tablesaw, cut 4 lengths of oak to make the legs;
4 x Legs: 790mm L x 35mm D.
Using a Tablesaw, cut the oak to make the rails;
8 x Top & Middle Rails: 415mm L x 40mm W x 18mm T
4 x Bottom Rails: 415mm L x 52mm W x 18mm T.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/F1Y/L3X3/LEWU5CDB/F1YL3X3LEWU5CDB.pdf
Step 2: Prepare Rails
Mark out where the Domino joints will be on the legs and rails, and use a Domino Joiner to prepare the
joints.
Sand out approximately 17.5 degree angles into the ends of the rails, so that they can be glued
congruently to the legs.
Cut 25mm L and 12 mm D holes into the center of the top side rails (x2) - see measurements pdf for
details.
Sand the rails with an electric sander (I sanded by hand which I don't recommend).

Download
https://www.instructables.com/FV5/91ER/LEWU601Y/FV591ERLEWU601Y.pdf
Step 3: Round Legs
Use an Edge Forming Router Bit on a Router Table to cut the square legs and make them round.
Sand the legs on a lathe until smooth.

Step 4: Insert Caster Bolt Into Legs
Create a jig to hold the legs in place.

Screw in a caster wheel bolt into the center of each leg (x4), being careful not to split the wood. Once the
frame structure is put together in later steps, you can screw in the caster wheels).

Step 5: Prepare Outer Panels and Base Shelf
Measure and cut the 2 side and 1 back outer panels out of plywood.
Sawn timber sizes needed;
Side Panels and Back Panel: 3 x (393mm L x 415mm W x 12mm T)
Base: 1 x 415mm W x 415 L x 12mm T)
Prepare the biscuit joints - see 'legs and rail assembley pdf'.
Download
https://www.instructables.com/FW3/FR4G/LEWU62V0/FW3FR4GLEWU62V0.pdf
Step 6: Construct Frame - 'Dry Run' (With Panels)
Test rails, outer panels and legs together before gluing together.
Masking tape and straps can be used for this step to hold the frame together while testing.
Adjust the straps and clamps as needed as needed - it is important that the frame is square in order
for the drawers to work correctly.
Glue frame and panels.

Step 7: Cut Drawers
Measure and cut front panels for large and small drawers - see pdfs attached.
Round o the corners.
Measure and cut side and back panels of large drawer.
Measure and cut side and back panels of small drawer.
Stick on the wood veener onto the plywood drawer edges if using it.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/FRG/3KV4/LEWU5CEZ/FRG3KV4LEWU5CEZ.pdf
Download
https://www.instructables.com/FCB/6K0N/LEWU5CF0/FCB6K0NLEWU5CF0.pdf
Step 8: Assemble Drawers
Check that drawers t together well, and re ne if needed.

Glue and staple gun together.

Step 9: Add Drawer Slides
Attach drawer slides to the top and bottom drawers and inside of side panels.

Step 10: Cut and Glue Table Top
Measure and cut the three sections that will make up the full Table-Top.
Sizes needed;
1 x 500mm L x 500mm W x 27mm T*
2 x 500mm W x 350mm W x 27mm T*
*thickness can be up to 30mm
Glue together sections if needed, using clamps.
Round the edges of the outer 2 sections with a Router.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/FFL/0ES9/LEWU5FM9/FFL0ES9LEWU5FM9.pdf
Step 11: Table-Top Folding Structure
Measure, cut and attach the Drop Leaf Support structure - see pdf.
Sawn timber - Drop Leaf Support: 2 x (414mm x 33mm x12mm)
Attach the Tee Hinge joints - see photo.

Download
https://www.instructables.com/FCO/O7XE/LEWU653D/FCOO7XELEWU653D.pdf
Step 12: Attach Table-Top
Align the Table-top, then attach to the frame using wooden corner wedges and screws (see photo).
Screw in the caster wheels.

Step 13: Attach Handles
Attach the drawer handles.

Step 14: Sand and Polish
Sand all surfaces.

Apply 3 coats of suitable wood nish - I used Organoil (mostly made of Tung Nut Oil). You could also use
Hardwax Oil. Make sure each coat dries completely, then give a very light sand with wet and dry between
coats.

Step 15: Enjoy Your Mobile Craft Station
Enjoy your super handy and beautiful mobile folding craft station.


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instructables

Mobile Folding Craft Station

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 1

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 2

Plane the wood so that the wood is smooth and square.

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 7

Step 2: Prepare Rails

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 9

Step 3: Round Legs

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 11

Create a jig to hold the legs in place.

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 16

Step 6: Construct Frame - 'Dry Run' (With Panels)

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 21

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 23

Step 8: Assemble Drawers

Check that drawers t together well, and re ne if needed.

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 25

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 29

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 31

Step 11: Table-Top Folding Structure

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 34

Step 12: Attach Table-Top

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 36

Attach the drawer handles.

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 40

Sand all surfaces.

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 42

Mobile Folding Craft Station: Page 46

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