Rolling Storage Bins for CNC or Workbench Table

I have a small garage shop and I am trying to squeeze out every last bit of storage possible. In order to do that I created these rolling storage bins that will roll under my CNC table and store all of my cut offs and smaller pieces of wood. These were made with 1/2" and 3/4" thick plywood and four 4" diameter double locking caster wheels on each bin.

The items I used on the project were as follows:

TOOLS

1. Sawstop 3HP Professional Cabinet Saw Tablesaw - https://amzn.to/3z7CnjK
2. SurfPrep Electric Ray Random orbit sander - SurfPrep Link
3. SurfPrep Vacuum POV-8 - SurfPrep Link
4. Dewalt Drill - https://amzn.to/3MDZfdC
5. Bessey EHK SERIES - 300 lb Clamping Force - 6 in - EHKL06 - https://amzn.to/4gd8ZJx
6. Bessey EHK SERIES - 300 lb Clamping Force - 12 in - EHKL12 - https://amzn.to/47g2gKE
7. Bessey KRE3550, 50 In., Parallel Clamp, K Body REVO Series - https://amzn.to/4dRPp45
8. Tape Measures (my favorite two):
9. Fastcap PMS-16 Auto Lock ProCarpenter Tape Measure - https://amzn.to/333fTMN
10. or FastCap PSSR16 16 ft Standard Reverse Measuring Tape - https://amzn.to/35eQe6k

MATERIALS

1. 1/2" and 3/4" plywood
2. 4" diameter double locking caster wheels - https://amzn.to/4edqCal - These are a higher capacity caster wheel than the ones I show in the video. Use the appropriate screws for your materials to hold the casters to the bottom of the bins.
3. Titebond Wood Glue - https://amzn.to/3NJiaDh
4. Various sand paper
5. General Finished Water Based Top Coat (Satin) - https://amzn.to/3NJdoWp

Workbench Parts (if you are looking for a great bench)

1. Kreg KBS1025 64-Inch Universal Bench Rails, Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/3XAtcBU
2. Kreg KBS1000 Standard-Height Leg Set, Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/3XfPOpK
3. Kreg PRS3090 3-Inch Dual-Locking Caster Set, 4 Piece, Silver - https://amzn.to/3XfVgZQ

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NOTE: If you plan on using any tool for a project please make sure you are familiar with the tool and all of the dangers associated with it. If you are not familiar with a tool then you should ask someone who is to show you the proper way to use it. A lot of communities have classes at local colleges on the proper use of tools and machinery. There are also local woodworking clubs that offer classes at very reasonable rates for beginners. I highly recommend using these resources for your safety and for the most efficient use of the tool.

SAFETY FIRST

Always wear eye and hearing protection. Always work safe with the proper safety equipment and guards on your tools.

Before you start cutting materials it is a good idea to gather all of the materials so you can be as efficient as possible.

All of the pieces in this project start out as rectangles. We start by cutting the end piece of plywood for the rolling bins. These include the end pieces and the horizontal pieces that are what the caster wheels attach to. I used up some smaller pieces of plywood for these pieces since these are the smallest parts of the bins.

Then we cut out the side pieces for the bins. These pieces started out as a rectangle and then I cut out a notch at each end. The notches are cut out on the table saw. The first cut is a perpendicular cut using the table saw sled. The second cut is a longitudinal cut and is made against the table saw fence. I made sure not to cut all the way to the corner of the cutout and then finished this cut all the way to the corner using my flush trim saw.

The last piece that I cut out is the bottom cover. It is the piece that covers the bottom closest to the floor when the bin is upright and rolling around. This is just another large rectangle.

The pieces are all glued or nailed and glued together.

Clamp side pieces to the pieces the casters will be attached to with clamps at all corners. This will give you an assembly of the outline of the storage bin. Do this with the side pieces upside down so it is easier to glue the end pieces onto the sides.

Check that the assembly is square by measuring the diagonals. Make adjustments if it is out of square.

Glue the end pieces piece on the ends of the assembly. I used three finishing nails from a nail gun to hold the piece in place while the glue sets up. You can also add a couple screws at each joint if you prefer.

Remove the pieces the caster wheels will attach to that were clamped into place previously and glue them in place on both ends.

Glue the last end piece that is adjacent to the bottom of the bin in place on both ends.

Measure the bottom cover and cut to size using a table saw or circular saw with a guide.

Glue this in place on the bottom of the storage bin. You can use clamps or a nail gun to hold the piece in place while the glue sets up.

The finish I used for the this project is General Finished Water Based Topcoat. I love how fast this stuff dries, how it doesn't yellow the wood, and dries fast. Another nice thing I like about it is it is easy to add another layer later if you want to.

I like to add this finish to a piece starting on a side that isn't visible when the project is complete. By the time I flip the piece over to apply finish on the visible side then first side is nearly tack free so pieces rarely stick to the surface they are sitting on while drying.

Once the finish was dry I added the four caster wheels. These are double locking caster wheels, which means that the wheel itself locks and will not spin and the stem of the caster locks so it will not spin either. These are worth the slightly higher cost than caster wheels where the wheel is the only part that locks.

The placement of these does not have to be exact, but you want them to be able to rotate freely in 360 degrees. You also want the locking tab for the caster wheel to stick out from under the rolling bin so it is easier to lock using your foot.

Now you can load up your new storage bins and save that collection of scrap wood that was taking up so much room. I absolutely love how much these store. You can really store a lot of wood in these if you minimize any open spaces. I have found the best way to do this is to groups similar size pieces of wood together.

It is great to have storage right under my CNC so I don't have to fumble through the storage bins I had most of this material stored in before. This has been a great improvement for me in my small shop.