How to Build a Portable Stand

You can build a portable stand to fit any available space in your home, even if you are not an experienced woodworker. A do-it-yourself wood stand is not difficult to construct, especially if you have the wood cut for you at the time of purchase. Look for decorative table legs at your local lumber store to suit your design style. You can include extra shelves in your stand, which you can use to cart items such as plants and gardening supplies or hold a microwave and kitchen supplies -- among other uses. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Determine the size of the portable stand based on the desired use. For example, if you are making a portable microwave cart, measure the microwave frame to determine the minimum acceptable size for the top shelf. Check the area of your kitchen where you plan to locate the stand to make sure the minimum size fits. Increase the dimensions of the top shelf as you like to fit the space.

2

Measure, mark and cut two wood panels equal to the desired length and width of the portable stand shelves from a sheet of 3/4-inch-thick plywood.

3

Sand both sides of the shelves with medium-grade sandpaper. Clear the debris and sand the areas again with light grade paper. Sand the legs with light-grade sandpaper. Clean away the sanding debris.

4

Cut strips of edge banding to fit the four edges of each shelf. Attach the strips to the wood shelves with a heated clothes iron; edge banding material has heat-activated adhesive on one side. If necessary, use an edge-trimming tool to cut the banding flush with the shelf surface.

5

Finish the wood shelves and four table legs with stain/polyurethane or prime and paint.

6

Cut each of the four decorative table legs in half. You now have eight legs. You are separating the legs in the location of the second shelf on the portable stand. If you prefer that your second shelf be closer to the top shelf, cut the legs accordingly. If the legs are turned, so that they curve in and out, the position of a curve may determine where you cut them.

7

Place the top shelf face down on a flat surface. Attach the top section of each table leg to the four corners of the shelf using construction adhesive.

8

Attach the second shelf to the four upended legs using construction adhesive. Attach the smallest legs to the second shelf, directly in line with the four longest legs. Allow the adhesive to dry.

9

Add casters to the bottom of each leg to make the stand portable. Select the casters based on the type of table leg you selected. If the table legs have pre-drilled holes on the bottom, select stem mounted casters and slide one inside the holes on each table leg. If the table legs do not have holes already drilled, select plate mounted casters and attach them to the bottom of each leg with screws and a screwdriver.