How to Make a Folding Portable X-Carve Table From 2x4 (DIY5)

Full Plans and Cut list:
part 1 of 2 ( / 1103792385069404161 )
part 2 of 2 ( / 1103792506867761152 )
The focus of this video is the give the viewers a general guideline and some thought process used to design and test various aspects of the folding cart. The design is loosely based on cantilever houses found along the Bosporus.
See a proper mobility and strength demonstration: • Folding Portable X-Car...
This is a project designed for people who want a 1000 mm X-Carve but do not have enough space in their creative space for the X-Carve to be in a fixed position. The X-Carve Cart (X-Cart? XCC?) is built from dimensional 2×4 lumber (actual 1.5″ x 3.5″). The pieces are joining together with screws. I find screws to be more forgiving then nails, also screws allow materials to be reused later. The point of the X-Carve Cart is function and simplicity. I imagine someone could make a version of this X-Carve Cart with mortise and tenon with dovetail framing; for me this seemed overkill and a time constraint.
John Z Zhu
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

[@fabricaderockolas2315]

This is a great way to save space, I just bought the new version of the X-Carve, this one has the Xcontoller in a box, I love your project so I'll make my own table, so I just need to make some adjustment to the size. Thank's for this project and thank's for the advise to give some charity to our local community. Greetings from Tijuana Mexico.

[@johnzzhu]

Great, I think the new improvements make the x-carve better. Send me some photos when you are finished, I'd love to see it.

[@fabricaderockolas2315]

Count on it, when I'm finished I'll let you know.

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Nice setup for the 30" xCarve John!

[@johnzzhu]

AdventuresInDIY Thanks Chris.

[@blackswanprepping8827]

Great project! I want to build one, but now I only need inventables to send me an x-carve... Well Done!

[@johnzzhu]

Dutchhorse Thanks Burt; not sure if you are familiar with the expression "if you build it they will come."

[@scottmorris4914]

How far does the x-carve extend over the back? Will it not tilt over in the back? Or is the vertical piece of the base about 3/4 of the way to the back?

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

This is a great detailed video. Good job my dear sir.

[@johnzzhu]

Heavyboxes Thanks Andrew.

[@charleyandsarah]

Nice folding table, John. And look at you sewing ;-)

[@johnzzhu]

Slowvannah Farms Thanks Sarah, sewing, contrary to popular myth, is a real man's man's skill.

[@charleyandsarah]

Of course, especially when stitching up your own wounds, right? ;-)

[@johnzzhu]

Slowvannah Farms Well, that's more of a real man's man's man's man's man's man's man's man's man's thing.

[@charleyandsarah]

Hahaa right.

[@prottentogo]

Really liked the dry humor audio effects here... :)

[@johnzzhu]

Thank you. I should use it more.

[@MRrwmac]

Very good idea for the cart and like the stability of the build! Couldn't you mount the control box on the bottom. Then just the connector to the laptop would be hanging and that could have the Velcro to hook to the bottom for easy removal.

[@johnzzhu]

MRrwmac Good points, dust is the main issue to have the control box mount on the bottom. Also the cord that comes with the X-Carve is really short. Also, the Velcro I have has a max adhesive temperature of 49 degrees C, don't know if the control box gets that hot.

[@MRrwmac]

+The Nomadic Polywright Show I meant make a wooden mount for control box and then use Velcro for the cable.

[@johnzzhu]

MRrwmac I get it now. That's a great idea, keeps everything clean and can use stables on the wood box.

[@MakeCrazydays]

This episode of The Nomadic Polywright Show was filmed before a recorded studio audience. Looking forward to your review of the x-carve.

[@johnzzhu]

Make Crazydays That would be fun, I'd cast Bob Sagat to play me.

[@MakeCrazydays]

I would watch it if he had the table always hit him in the junk...

[@johnzzhu]

Make Crazydays lol. That's one way to turn the table.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

I really like the cart. Is there any support for the other side of the X-carve (the side that's up when the table is folded) when set horizontal?

[@johnzzhu]

Steve French Thanks Steve, there is ~12" that hangs out; I am estimating that the support from the Al rails and waste board is enough.

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

The Nomadic Polywright Show oh, well that's not too bad. I'm considering using your plans at some point and making myself one. I already have a hefty piece of plywood cut that I'll mount to the folding cart. It's already sized as a table surface for the unit. That'll help support the entire unit. But I agree with you that a 1 foot overhang is probably not an issue.

[@johnzzhu]

Steve French I didn't calculate the mass distribution when the spindle is in the over hang, but just by eye, the Y rails is greater in mass then the X rail, what's left of the waste board is definitely has more mass than all 4 motors. If you're going to use a piece of plywood that probably the doors to a lot of design improvement. Looking forward to the possibility of seeing it.

[@tramtuong3681]

Hi John, can you move the rail with the router to the top. Probably it will lighter weight when pulling other end. Just a thought.

[@johnzzhu]

It naturally slides in that direction, also the weight of the router & rail helps keeps the center of mass low when transporting. Good question.

[@michelle1968hall]

Hey John,...can't find a working link to your plans and cut list. Link above isn't working. Can you help?

[@johnzzhu]

Sorry about that, I had recently gotten rid of my website. I'll have to find the plans and repost them on twitter, then update the link.

[@johnzzhu]

plans have been updated.

[@michelle1968hall]

Thanks VERY MUCH!!! Your designs are great.

[@djb2ile]

Thanks for the video! I'm in need of a space saving solution and I think this is it! Any issues with bending, warping of the rails or anything on the X-carve when it's folded up?

[@johnzzhu]

You're welcome. It has held up nicely over the last few years. No twist, bend, or warp. It is working very well.

[@sithinstructor]

I will be building this probably next year. I am supposed to get an X-carve for my B-day in Sept. Did you play with acid or hydrogen peroxide?

[@johnzzhu]

Josh V Cool, I am going to review the X-Carve soon, hopefully it can help you see what you might run into. Neither H+ or H2O2 for this project.

[@crispeybear]

hey John, excuse my possible ignorance, i know nothing about x-carve's, i just love ur vids. why not flip it 180 degrees on the table so the heavy bit is at the top whilst stored away? you could use it's own weight when tipping to horizontal, so much lighter, plus the wire wouldn't catch on anything, plus, there would be much less chance of damaging it if it was up in the air as opposed to foot height where you could cause an accident to it? apologies if this has already been said or not feasible. look forward to more of your vids, cheers bud

[@johnzzhu]

Thanks CB. The things does not lock in position; something will have to be made to have it as the counter balance. Also the rail is heavier than it looks, if it was up high is would be too top heavy. The x-carve cart base extends beyond the rails, the cart itself offers protection from damage. But just like car bumpers, one should treat a $1500 piece of equipment with care, and if a driver is careless the bumper is merely cannon fodder.

[@crispeybear]

John Zhu haha, nice analogy! Yeah I get what you're saying. keep them coming, just getting into woodworking nd love the vids ;) cb

[@watahyahknow]

couldve fitted the whole powersupply and controll thing to the table's base and use long enough wiring to be able to setup and collapse the table without the wiring binding

[@johnzzhu]

Thanks for the input.

[@anthonyepd]

Do you still have the plans??

[@aaronhall6990]

Does anyone have the plans and cut list for this project? The link is no longer any good that is with this video.

[@johnzzhu]

plans have been updated

[@Allamericans1776]

How much to make it for me lol

[@BeeRich33]

Slight French Cleat system for the support leg

[@johnzzhu]

***** slight indeed, it doesn't take much more to make it so.

[@BeeRich33]

The Nomadic Polywright Show That slight angle could lock in that positioning.

[@TheRangeControl]

I was thinking of a similar solution...

[@johnzzhu]

+TheRangeControl Cool, this cantilever-like solution is pretty old, I am sure you can improve upon it.

[@TheRangeControl]

I'm a "noob". I'll give it a try once I have a few tools (I just got my first circular saw) and and other building block projects "glued together with hopes and dreams". LMAO

[@johnzzhu]

TheRangeControl all acorns have the potential to become a mighty oak.

[@TheRangeControl]

Thank You. :-)

[@007JHS]

Great idea though I think over engineered... twice the weight it need be.

[@SavvasPapasavva]

Lol tuck it and forget it.

[@mikegager]

i need a pouch for my brain

[@johnzzhu]

mike gager Everyone needs a good brain pouch!