84 - How to Build a Flip Top Tool Cart - Double your Shop Space & Storage

Plans available here:
kingsfinewoodworking.com/coll...
This project was a design that I had wanted for a bit, but was spurred on by some of our KFW Community members. It is also a collaboration between us and a friend of ours, Michael Long. He has a KZbin channel and came up to the shop for two days so that we could build something together. We had decided on seeing what piece of shop furniture we could build from one sheet of plywood.
I have a couple of benchtop tools that are always a pain to pick up to a table and use. It’s a hassle to drag them out from where I last left them, and then go about setting them up. And the Ridgid Oscillating Spindle Sander, is really a pretty tall tool. To use that on top of a bench is really just too high in my opinion. I’ve been using stationary oscillating spindle sanders for 30 years, and I’ve always been able to look down comfortably on the work and see the line that I am trying to sand down to. It’s the only way that I know how to get an extremely accurate result. If the tool is too high, it’s just too difficult.
This leads me to the design. I was originally just going to go with one of the designs that one of the other fine KZbin woodworkers have done, and save some time. But when I investigated, I found that many of them put the sander’s table at chest height. And that’s almost a foot too high for my comfort. I was also wondering about stability. If it’s so tall, I was worried it could be top heavy. After a lot of searching, I couldn’t find anything lower. So I set about designing one from the ground up.
I knew I’d have to eliminate the drawer below that was so common, because that adds 6” or more in height. Then I knew I’d have to get the wheels out from under it, because that added another 4-5”. Therefore I created something that pushed the wheels out to the side. This allowed me to drop the bottom almost to the ground. And I saved enough height that I could design this to fit the tallest benchtop planer on the market, and still be up to a foot lower than most of the ones I’ve seen.
There was an added benefit. By pushing the wheels to the side, I got to add some storage shelves. And this widened the structure. Now it was far more stable. So if a planer were mounted, (sideways of course), there would be no fear of toppling over! And that was that. Here it is. And I hope you enjoy it. If you decide you need plans, there is a link above, and I’ll be ever so grateful. The plans are the main way that we fund our channel. So, I do my very best to give you perfect 3D highly detailed plans.
After watching this build, I hope you’ll go over to MK Designs, and watch Michael Long’s build! Here is a link.
• Cordless Charging Stat...
Extreme Assembly Table Build:
• 62 - Extreme Torsion B...
Things used for this project:
iGaging Double Squares amzn.to/36Itywh
Hole Saw amzn.to/3lgvQ9M
24" Parallel Clamps amzn.to/3jATihJ
40" Parallel Clamps amzn.to/34trHZt
6" squeeze clamps amzn.to/2SCMCn3
12" Squeeze Clamps amzn.to/3njCmOS
Countersink bits amzn.to/36yJYXT
Casters amzn.to/36GtInF
Router Kit amzn.to/3d4ylJm
Chamfer bit amzn.to/36AOncG
Pin Nailer amzn.to/34uTfxp
Pin Nails amzn.to/3niYR6J
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[@brucepeter3409]

I definitely like the lower cart idea, James. As snowed in wanted to find a shop project and found this one. Even though the video is a few years old. The flip cart is timeless. Thanks for all you and your family do for the woodworking community.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@mkdesignsfinewoodworking]

Thank you for having us over to do this. I always enjoy hanging out with you guys.

[@garyhorton6652]

I am so happy I didn’t build one of the earlier model I’ve seen. Well thought out especially the lower center of gravity.

[@mygarden365]

James,you and your family are truly craftsmen. Thank you. Jamie

[@johnjohannemann536]

I’m not a wood worker but love viewing the builds you share, so thank you 👍🏻

[@Sulkanator]

Join the party John it is really quite relaxing. A newbie but it has changed my life.

[@grandpadaveswoodworking8932]

It's so awesome that you involve your daughters in your shop. What a great dad!

[@boyscout419]

Just finished mine. It turned out great, with special storage for sanding disks, belt cleaner, extra belts and spindles and associated tools. It freed up some space for a lathe cart, because I was able to combine the power tools on two carts into one. I don't normally use the plans of others, but this one looked fun and it was! Thanks much. I can send you pictures of what I did, if you want.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Hi James and family!! What an awesome build!! My favorite features are the side shelves and the recessed wheels. Very clever and solves a problem many of us have with this type of cart and that is height. Plus you can see the wheel locks much better than when they are placed under the cart. Your channel really deserves much more subs than what you have. There are no negatives, its family-oriented, and you James are an incredible teacher! You even anticipate questions and answer them with the detailed instructions before we could ask. That is a sign of a great teacher!!!

[@jayfoster5756]

I haved watched many other videos (and perused many other plans) for flip top carts, but I like yours the best, especially the lower center of gravity. I will buy your plans once I got a couple of other projects out of the way. I always love your videos, and again always great to see family and friends involved in your projects. Thanks for sharing.

[@NastierNate]

I’ve built one flip top cart for my planer and spindle sander already, but I’m likely going to build a second one soon. Super glad that I saw this. The PVC and dowel pin approach is a much cheaper alternative to the steel pipe and star knobs I see from most of these builds.

[@larrys639]

Another great project James! All your projects are well thought out and very well presented. I love working with Baltic Birch myself and needed a good idea for the recessed castors- to get every usable inch out of the cart I am building and this is exactly what I needed. THIS is a true woodworker, folks! Thank you James.

[@qvindtar]

Nice design! I've finished up the assembly table recently, am waiting on parts to be delivered for the extreme cross cut sled and know what I'll be working on next. A big thank-you for helping me get my shop in order!

[@garrysmythe]

Loved watching this video, its Easter Sunday morning here in the UK, 10am, and I have just sat and chilled out for 34 mins watching this video, I have already built a flip cart but used a 1" metal bar, but having seen this build, I would have followed your lead and used the piping.Thanks for posting from Garry and old fart in the UK, a happy man sat in peace and quiet before any grand children visit lol

[@theokruger3558]

I just love watching James … and his family working on these projects. I've learned so much by just watching these videos. Great work James !!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you Theo!

[@johngunning2123]

Same here. I'm addicted!

[@DrStockmann]

Im working from Germany from him!

[@anakindean6434]

you probably dont care at all but does any of you know a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost the password. I would love any help you can give me.

[@maximilianokingston7304]

@Anakin Dean Instablaster =)

[@johnbeck3895]

Wish I had seen this 40 years ago. Keep it going there are lots of others out there that sould be interested if they knew about this collection.

[@weekendwarrior9570]

THANK YOU. Excellent video and process. Lowering the machines to waist height is the only safe way to work. Thank for sharing and using good workmanship. Love the Family and Friends team work...

[@johnfrederickson3082]

THE PINNACLE OF WOODWORKING, AS ALWAYS!

[@taildraggersn894cd]

Your dry sense of humor is great! The ‘proper’ amount of glue certainly varies between workers….thanks for a great build video; I plan on doing the exact same thing with my spindle sander.

[@mikemarquez8440]

This is AWESOME! I have a small shop! And this solves several problems I’ve struggled with!! Thank you! This is my favorite channel! Very informative / instructional!! It’s like being back in Mr. Hindergardt’s woodshop class! ( extreme next level of course ) thank you james and family ) please keep the videos coming!!

[@SpadeAce]

Hey James, thank you kindly for this video. I just made one for my jointer and planer and plan to make another for my oss. sander and bench mounted drill press! Easy plan, easy build, strong af. I love it.

[@pawpawstew]

I definitely like the lower cart idea, James, especially for using the spindle sander. I've got the same one, so it hits home. I'll rig my planer on the other side. Off to buy plans! 👌🏼👍🏻

[@TheCraftyWeiner]

Fantastic! You have a Professor Xavier sense of knowing what I want to build next for my shop furniture. Awesome! Happy Easter to you and the family.

[@tjcarita]

Nice and neat! I like the way you did the power cord and the PVC. Thanks for sharing your excellent work and ideas!

[@tonyioannoni4951]

Awesome video ... pro quality like usual... As I am reorganizing my workshop, both items are now on my to-do list!!! But the PVC pipe...great idea!!!I'll use it on other projects also!!! THANKS!

[@gregghernandez2714]

There are numerous amounts of these cart builds on KZbin, but once I saw your final product and your daughter turning the cart, I just thought WOW that is one beautiful cart! The best I have seen so far. Your cart is so well thought out and functional. A perfect example of Form follows Function. Thanks for this inspirational video!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you! You are very kind.

[@FrankEtchells]

I'm making a return to 'hobby' woodworking after a few years away from it as my 70th birthday comes along next year. My 'workshop' is challenging size wise with the main area being about 11' 6" x 7' 6" with a bench one side and lathe setup on the other, pillar drill stand and two wheel grinder for lathe tool sharpening etc. Recently added a small saw table bench (about 2'6" square) and small cyclone dust extraction which leaves two small areas either side about 3' x 2' because of the aisle between the two sides. Was looking to add some type of thicknesser and router table and coming across this video has me thinking. Came across it at the right time 👍 Although I've another room about 7'6" square it's mostly storage of stuff gathered over time. Some thinking and rearranging to do. Bought the plans - thanks for making them available. (from over 'the pond')

[@akquicksilver]

Oh! I watched the rest of the video and saw how you got around gluing the top shut. Good idea.

[@roguerook]

You have the best daughter in the world. I can see her having her own woodworking channel at some point.

[@Audioventura]

I find this super intriguing - German woodworking YT channels always have one guy in them building stuff. For you this is always a whole family & friends gathering. Of course you need a sufficiently big shop for that but I feel this is super awesome to have everyone involved in this. The lonewolf man cave thus becomes a family cave. Nice.

[@dmueller1875]

Excellent Work James. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevennachlas9596]

James, I always enjoy your videos. They are amongst the most informative and well done as far as explanations go. What I particularly like is that you bridge the gap between beginner and intermediate/advanced woodworker. I put myself in the latter class but I always pick up some good tips as well as just really good project ideas from you. Thank you for the contact.

[@andyboybennett]

I think we need a contest to see who can guess what James and Maia have been doing the past few weeks. I think they had to go into treatment for glueaholism. I noticed that there was very little wasted glue on this build. Now lets see if they can stay on the wagon! Nice to have a new vid! You do a great job of design and building, and a great job of production! And I love that your daughters work with you.

[@JohnDunn1969]

Hi James I made my two flip top cart and I really like them. I saw the idea on DIY Tyler I made mine my way and my carts have wheels too. Now I have four tools on two carts. It is a great Idea.

[@stanrescigno5093]

Loved the video James! Man, I missed you guys! Now I’m all pumped about making this cart. Thanks

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Stan, Thank you! We're finally caught up on custom projects & commissioned builds, and we have quite a few videos coming out.

[@justingaughan6894]

I’ve seen folks do this with black pipe but never PVC but it looks extremely strong. Nice work as usual. Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@ericrickert3045]

The access panel is a great idea!

[@68shiloh]

Great video James. Thanks for sharing

[@markjarman7819]

Very enjoyable to watch. Looking at building something myself for my planer but might build something like this now thank you.

[@Pantor1643]

Well done James. I think I might have use for a table like that 👍

[@andrewpowell6457]

Nice video & a nice flip top cart James & Family & a Happy Easter to you all

[@myleshollywood81]

That's a great idea to put the wheels on the side. Thanks for that.

[@murphyrp01]

Always a quality video. Thanks to all the team

[@smithsoncreationshandcraft5770]

This is an awesome build! Well thought out!! Great job as always!!

[@brianpruitt1015]

That is an awesome assembly table. I wish I had room in my shop for that.

[@AlBurr]

I just finished building this. Fairly new to woodworking and the plans were super easy to follow... great job. The accompanying video also was helpful and entertaining at the same time. I just hope I used enough glue.

[@l1verm0m]

Great video James - love the design...

[@dannyoktim9628]

Nice to see the details that go into a project like this . . .well done. D Oktim

[@61spindrift]

I watch many of these video's from different content makers before beginning my project. Most of the time KFW is the most valuable and I trust them on the build. However not far behind is April, Steve Ramsey, Stumpy, Fix That Build That, Next Level Carpentry etc., etc. I also trust the tools they recommend to purchase, unless Project Farm determines its a dud. Finished watching this one and I now headed to the shed to cut up some plywood.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you! You are very kind.

[@supercuda1950]

Great video and design. I like the shelves on the side better than a drawer. Plans a little pricey but the time they save makes it worth it.

[@erictroutman1571]

Nice build. Well thought out as always!

[@SuperKwame1]

Excellent tutorial on this build. Thanks

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for showing how and sharing that, well done

[@wycheproofworkshops1192]

Loved the video James,great ideas mate.

[@scottgraham4906]

Nice build. Thanks for sharing.

[@robing4566]

Nice work, I like how you guys all work together. Really cool, thanks

[@nathansilver9190]

Finally, another Kings Fine Woodworking video. My day is complete now. Thanks for another great project. I'm just finishing up my shop build, and have your plans for the extreme assembly table. Thanks again for your videos, I know that you put in a lot of time and energy into this, and I for one, am very appreciative for people like you. How are you liking the new Festool equipment? I just picked up the dominoe joiner, can't wait to use it.

[@cullenbohannon7099]

Another great video. I'm working out of my garage so I have limited space and when I get other tools I need I will definitely be building one of these

[@glenngoodale1709]

Nice video Jame & Family & a Happy Easter to you all

[@vahpr]

Good ideas James. As I imagine using either of the tools it would seem a toe kick would be nice, possible with a minimal height change and relocating the bottom. Thanks for sharing.

[@wb_finewoodworking]

I must say James that this is the best design I’ve seen for one of these flip carts and I’ve seen a lot of them over the years. While this is not something I need right now for my shop it’s something that I may need in the future. I use my Rigid sander on just about every project and I like the storage it has for the sanding spindles and belt. That storage would be lost if it was flipped upside down.

[@robertbutler8004]

You can't be serious now if you want to see a really good flip cart and more professionally made check out Fishers Shop

[@williamcahn4674]

Just came across your KZbin channel. Wow ! Your presentations are super professional and very easy to follow. Keep up the great work.

[@richardcagle5475]

Sold. As soon as I get the tools to mount I'll be getting these plans. First thing I saw with pretty much all the others was finished working height. I agree, they're just all too high. Thanks

[@eml5086]

Nicely done! Great video. I enjoyed watching it.

[@seephor]

Really like the PVC pivot idea.

[@anaphylaxis2548]

Cool cart! I like the design. I also have to say that your work bench is gorgeous!

[@patmac]

Great video. Thanks again. Buying a plan for x-cut sled. Looks good.

[@WHICHCRAFTER1031]

Awesome table!

[@ctenos45069]

Excellent video production. Great ideas and thanks for the video.

[@patmash]

Great design.

[@steviebye1]

Great as usual James. 👌

[@marinusbeimers7293]

I like your teamwork, great design congratulations

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@henryrossouw930]

GREAT PIECE OF WORK.This is my next project but with a sander and a thicknesser.Should be finished by end

[@clutions]

Really like the power cord set up. Drew Fisher did the same thing on his Flip Top Cart. I'm just finishing up his or this would have been a possible choice. Got more tools to double cart so this may be my next one! As usual, nice build and excellent dialog!

[@Bekim8310]

Wow its been a while since you last put out a video. Welcome back and keep them coming!

[@thecelt4807]

fantastic space save idea cheers

[@gordroberts53]

Good design! thanks for sharing!

[@lauciricad]

Got done with the cuts, start my build tomorrow.

[@greggibson2615]

Very nice project! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@garyhillsgrove1550]

James, A Festool Kapex! Love your videos!

[@DragonGateDesign]

Fabulous video 👍

[@trainwon5699]

Awesome job

[@StuffUCanMake]

Awesome build!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@gokblok]

I love your project videos. Also, no disrespect, I've been using your vids at bedtime to help me fall asleep because your voice is so calm.

[@johngunning2123]

Brilliant! I'm going to make one of these for sure.

[@johngunning2123]

@@WillArthurMusic Not yet I have made one chopping board and one cross-cut sled as per Kings videos. I have had to buy a lot of clamps that I hadn't budgeted for. Early days for me.

[@petermenningen338]

Excellent Build Love the recessed casters! I'm also vertically challenged and 6" or so height is important to me. I like the idea of side storage and have been sketching a design that incorporates side drawers instead of open shelves for accessories. I'm in Hawaii and keeping things out of direct air flow helps with corrosion control of metals. also helps with dust control on items. I may make two on your ideas one for 8" bench grinder with 4 x 36 belt sander and the other for a benchtop drill press and a homemade tapping guide made from the same sized drill press .

[@rmhutchins7]

Very Helpful Video. Thank you!

[@zavoina]

Your builds and narrative is always great. I have a planer coming in about a week and have the same sander. I worry that PVC won’t hold up to a 90 lbs planer with the Rigid sander.

[@Colinmac1]

Great job

[@edwinleach7401]

Very Nice!!

[@kimberlypeacock9602]

Love this cart! It's REALLY nice to find some shop items that are shorter than normal lol. My dad is a master craftsman, so I've been in woodworking for years. But I 4'11", so every single shop item I have has to be customized in one way or another lmao.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

My wife is 4' 10" so I completely understand your situation. She does a lot in the shop, in addition to filming everything.

[@BoudreauGuitars]

Very nice!

[@upwoodart]

Good video

[@cloa9431]

Nice job like usual your daughter still like camera 📸 god bless my friend

[@nevillewomersley7841]

Neville here from Woolgoolga NSW Australia. I have downloaded the plans for the Flip Top Tool Cart. I am hoping be making such a Tool Cart I can save space in my shed. I do not have the range of tools that you have access to, but I am looking Forward to the challenge. Hopefully in a couple of months I can report back in to tell off my experiences. Cheers

[@jacktracy4845]

I really like your videos. Well done. Subscribed.

[@Sulkanator]

James = AWESOME

[@rodpotts2666]

Love the cart and your take on it. Do I see some new Festool tools in the shop?

[@thomaskelly1228]

Thanks , I think I just found a home for a couple of my tools. I like the lower center of gravity. Happy Easter.

[@michaelvenditti1607]

Like all your projects very detailed and easy to understand thank for your many great projects. Unfortunately I live in Canada and can't take advantage of the offers from some of your sponsors

[@dgperforms1]

Nice Bro! My favorite Channel to be honest. Making a purchase right now

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

I appreciate that!