How the DIY Flip-Top Cart is Holding Up 2 Years Later

A DIY flip-top cart is a great space-saver for a small workshop. This version was built 2 years ago using 2x4s instead of plywood. Let’s check in and see how it’s holding up.

A DIY flip-top cart is a great space-saver for a small workshop. This version was built 2 years ago using 2x4s instead of plywood. Let’s check in and see how it’s holding up.
Bill recently posted a comment about the free plans for the DIY FlipTop Workbench Cart:

You say you chose 2×4’s over plywood for ease of use. Without building another one to test, what is your gut feeling of the longevity and durability of your design…”

I thought Bill’s question was a good one. It’s been about 2 years since I built the cart, so it’s the perfect time to check in and see how the flip-top cart is holding up.

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What is a Flip-Top Cart?

Space is always at a premium in a small workshop and an easy way to save some space in a small shop is with a flip-top cart. A flip-top cart has table or top that flips or rotates from one position to another position. This feature allows tools, like a miter saw or bench-top table saw, to be mounted on one side, then the top can be flipped and the second side can be used as a workbench.

DIY Flip-Top Cart holding DeWALT Thickness Planer

The flip-top cart is mounted on casters so it can be stored out of the way to maximize floor space in a small workshop. Skate over to 7 Ideas to Make Your Tools Mobile & Maximize Workshop Space for some more helpful ways to mobilize your workshop tools.

For more ideas to maximize space in your shop skate over to 9 Clever Ways to Make Your Small Workshop Feel Bigger.

Why this DIY Flip-Top Cart is Different

Many flip-top carts are made with plywood. Those of us with small workshops know space is always at a premium and we also know maneuvering plywood in a small shop is nearly impossible.

My DIY fliptop workbench cart is made almost entirely with 2×4’s. The 2x4s were joined with pocket holes and wood glue. I opted to build my flip-top cart with 2x4s because it’s sooo much easier for me to maneuver 2x4s in my small workshop than it is to maneuver sheet goods.

This DIY Flip-Top Cart was made with 2x4s rather than plywood

However, I did use a little plywood for this project. My DIY fliptop workbench cart was made using two sheets of 2×4 plywood. These small sheets are waaaay more manageable in a small workshop. You could have your big box home improvement store cut down a sheet of 4×8 plywood for you, but then you would need a place to store the cutoffs.

Need a place to store your scrap wood? Skate over to 9 DIY Ideas for Wood Storage for some clever ways to store wood in your small workshop. Having trouble deciding what scrap wood to keep and what to toss? Skate over to How to Decide What Scrap Wood to Keep for some helpful tips.

How the DIY Flip-Top Cart is Holding Up 2 Years Later

So here’s the big question and the entire reason you’re reading this… How did it hold up? The short answer is the DIY fliptop workbench cart was a success! A big success! Even with all of that flip-top flipping the butt joints made with pocket holes and wood glue are still rock solid. The joints have not loosened at all and show no signs of wear or cracks. As a bonus I’ve managed to keep the workbench side of the flip-top cart free from glue spills with this silicone workbench mat.

Recently one of the barrel bolts broke, but I think that had more to do with a manufacturer defect rather than anything to with the flip-top cart itself. You can see that the surface of this barrel bolt started to oxidize while the others still look shiny and new.

Recently a barrel bolt broke on the DIY Flip-Top Cart

I’m always trying to maximize storage in my small workshop, so after I built the DIY fliptop workbench cart I thought I could add some extra storage to that empty area in the bottom of the cart. I developed the free plans for this flip-top cart storage tray but later removed the tray.

DIY Flip-Top Cart has an open area on the bottom where a storage tray can be added

Even with a dehumidifier, my workshop is pretty humid. The tray was mounted close to the floor and I goofed by not sealing or painting the plywood and the edges of the plywood began to get moldy. Needless to say, I removed the tray.

Would I Build it Again?

The next big question after “how did it hold up?” is “would I build it again?” The answer is yes! The DIY fliptop workbench cart is a great space-saver and functions well in my small workshop. And up until recently when I added my Ultimate Workbench for a small workshop the workbench side of the flip-top was my go-to place to build the majority of my DIY furniture projects.

What Would I Do Differently?

There are a few things I would do differently if I were to build another flip-top cart. To give the piece a more finished look I think I might use my table saw to rip the rounded edges off the 2x4s. Why didn’t I do this on the original cart? Well, I know this will sound like a child stomping its feet, but I just don’t like ripping the rounded edges off 2x4s. I don’t know why, but the process really annoys me! Chances are you won’t see many projects from me using 2x4s with the rounded edges removed.

Second, I would paint the flip-top cart for the same reason I would rip the round edges off the 2x4s. Painting gives the piece a finished look. I painted the base for the Ultimate Workbench and I LOVE the way it looks. The base looks more like a store-bought piece rather than a DIY project.

Conclusion

A flip-top cart is a great space-saver for DIYers with a small workshop. Many flip-top carts are made with plywood, but what makes this version different is that it’s made with 2x4s. It was built about 2 years ago and is still rock solid.

Thank you for stopping by. If you found this information helpful, would you please pin it to Pinterest? Other DIYers would appreciate it and I would too! Thank you – Scott

9 Comments

  1. The table looks nice BUT as with movement and use it will start to wobble. My idea would have been using the rail for a box spring mattress with bolts and nuts and it should last 100 years 🙂

  2. I do like this! It’s a great way to reduce some of the weight and bulk of sheet plywood construction, and I am itching to use the pocket hole jig. Thanks for sharing your project! I am looking forward to this project!

    1. Hi Cheryl – Thank you for stopping by. The flip top cart is one of the projects I use the most shop. Good luck with your build!

  3. I can’t wait to get started on making this flip top table. My shop is in my garage, so you know space is at a premium. I was thinking of putting either the plainer on one side and the scroll saw on the other. Do you think that would still be easy to turn? What about adding a knob on the side to hold onto while you are turn it over?

    1. Hi Pamela – I only have one tool mounted on mine, but readers have told me that have mounted tools on both sides. My concern with adding a knob is that it might get caught on clothing or hit your legs. You may want to try it without a knob first and add one if necessary.

  4. I’m in the process of building a multi flip top bench in my shop, I have seven tools that flip, and I ended up with a work table (bench) that is 6′ x 3′ 3″. It has a table saw, scroll saw, miter saw, disc and belt sander combo, a drill press and router table. I have a Dewalt planer like yours that I didn’t install , thinking that the 80 pound tool would be too heavy tor flipping. I’m wondering if the weight has been a problem for you and if I made a mistake by not installing it on my bench?

    1. Hi Dan – I only have one tool mounted on mine and the weight hasn’t been a problem for me. Readers have told me that they have mounted tools on both sides and that the weight hasn’t been an issue for them.

    1. Hi David – I only have one tool mounted on mine, but readers have told me that they have mounted tools on both sides.

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