Build a Rolling Bar Cart with Removable Tray

The rolling bar cart (or BBQ cart) with removable tray is the latest addition to my suite of DIY patio furniture. I followed the instructions from Ana White. Her site has become a bit of a building obsession with me. I pour over what projects she's made, as well as the brag post by others from all over the country. Ana really breaks the projects down to a buy list, cut list, step-by-step instructions, and even sketches. And even with the detailed instructions, I still found ways to make this project my own: I added a 3/4" dowel and plastic wheels, instead of wood rounds. I painted all the pieces with primer and exterior paint before assembling it, because it's hard to get paint between the slats, unless you have a spray painter. The white slat design of the bar cart, park bench and matching side tables goes with the white siding of the house for my own patio picnic.

Wood working kept my hands busy on vacation. I got very sweaty cutting all those pieces of wood, and the sawdust was sticking to my body. Then came all the painting, gluing and screwing. But, I got the bar cart done in time for a 4th of July cookout, and pushed my cart for a victory lap around the patio slab.

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Build End Tables

I built 2 end tables to go with my park bench. I had a lot of trouble with splitting wood, because the 1x2s where so thin. I'm used to more robust lumber. I tried something new. I drilled pocket holes, sanded, primed and painted everything before I assembled. I don't like painting as much, because I love using power tools. I psyched myself out by thinking I was giving it an elegant finish. Sounds so much nicer than slapping some paint on wood.

 My son made some tic-tac-toe pieces from scrap treated lumber, by painting black X's on one side and white O's on the other.

Here's a link to the plans I got from the wonderful Ana White site.
That site has downloadable, step-by-step shopping list, cut list and instructions.

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Build a Modern Park Bench

I built this lovely, modern park bench from plans I found at Ana White. The only adjustment I made was to make the legs out of 4x4s. I like this plan because it's all straight, right angle cuts, a one day project, which I tackled by myself. I'm definitely getting more comfortable with the miter saw. The wood cost under $50. I plan to paint it with primer, then white exterior paint, both of which I have around the house. Stain would be beautiful, too. If I had to do it over again, I would paint all the pieces before assembling. And I wish I had a brad nailer; it would make attaching all the slats go much faster, and would have to fill as many screw holes.

The bench measures 72" wide, 31" tall and 27" deep. It's huge! William and Jersey tested the bench out, and found it very comfortable.

Tools: miter saw, electric drill, Kreg pocket hole jig, palm sander

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