Design a Organizer Cart From Scratch

If you're looking to create a practical, durable, and customizable design with aluminum 8020, you’re in the right place! This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps and showcase the impressive versatility of this modular material. Aluminum 8020 allows you to bring your vision to life with precision and ease. Let’s get started and unlock the full potential of this incredible building material!

Building Your Perfect Organizer Cart with Aluminum 8020

Hi! I’m Erick, and today I want to show you how to create a functional and customizable organizer cart using aluminum 8020. If you’re looking for a robust, versatile, and adaptable solution to organize your tools, supplies, or anything that needs tidying up, aluminum 8020 is the perfect choice. Let’s explore why this material is ideal and how you can build your very own organizer cart from scratch.

Why Aluminum 8020 Is Ideal for an Organizer Cart

Aluminum 8020 is a modular, industrial-grade material known for its strength and versatility. It offers a lightweight yet durable structure, perfect for supporting the weight of tools, equipment, or supplies. Its modular design allows you to customize every aspect of the cart—size, shelves, dividers, supports, and more.

Additionally, aluminum 8020 works with modular connectors, making the assembly process as straightforward as building with an advanced LEGO set. Each component can be cut, adjusted, and secured, giving you the freedom to design a cart that perfectly fits your needs.

Getting Started with Your Project

Before you begin, plan your cart’s design. Think about:

  • Dimensions: How large does it need to be?
  • Shelves: How many levels or trays do you want to include?
  • Purpose: Is it for tools, office supplies, kitchen utensils, or something else?

Measure your available space and decide what items you’ll store. This will help you determine the height, width, and depth of the cart, as well as the layout of its compartments.

Gather basic tools like a drill, Allen wrench, and screws. Aluminum 8020 kits often come with connectors and fasteners, but make sure you have everything you need before starting.

Step-by-Step Assembly for Your Organizer Cart

  1. Build the Base:
    Start with the lower frame, which will serve as the foundation of the cart. This is the main support, so ensure the beams are level and properly aligned. Attach wheels to the corners for easy mobility. Aluminum 8020 allows you to select wheels with brakes for added stability.
  2. Add the Vertical Supports:
    Attach vertical columns to the corners of the base. These will serve as supports for the shelves and define the total height of the cart. Make sure they are securely fastened and aligned, as they will bear the weight of the entire structure.
  3. Install Shelves or Trays:
    Use aluminum 8020 beams to create the frame for each shelf. You can adjust the spacing between levels to accommodate the size of the items you plan to store. If you need a solid surface, attach wooden, acrylic, or metal panels to the shelf frames.
  4. Add Dividers or Accessories:
    Aluminum 8020 allows you to install dividers to better organize the space or even add specific supports, such as hooks for tools or rails for drawers. This is especially useful if you need to separate different types of materials or tools.
  5. Check Stability and Reinforce:
    Once the cart is assembled, inspect every joint and tighten any loose connections. If you plan to store heavy items, consider adding additional reinforcements at the corners or under the shelves.

Personalization and Final Touches

After assembling your cart, make final adjustments to suit your needs. Test its mobility and ensure the wheels roll smoothly and lock securely. If desired, paint the panels or add labels to organize your items more efficiently.

The modular nature of aluminum 8020 allows for easy changes and upgrades:

  • Need more shelves? Add another level.
  • Require specific storage for tools? Install hooks or custom supports.
  • Want a more decorative cart? Add colorful panels or LED lighting.

Why Aluminum 8020 Is a Game-Changer

Aluminum 8020 isn’t just strong and durable—it’s also endlessly adaptable. You can modify your organizer cart at any time without needing to dismantle it completely. This means you can evolve its design as your needs or available space change.

Building an organizer cart with aluminum 8020 is a fun and practical project that gives you a personalized solution for staying organized at home, in the workshop, or at the office. Follow these steps and enjoy the creative process. Soon, you’ll have a cart that’s as functional as it is unique!

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Questions?

Is this a downloadable app?
No! It all works on the browser. It works on your phone as well as your computer!

Is it free?
Yes the app is 100% free.

Can I save my design?
Yes! You can save your design in your account.

Can I share my design?
Yes! You'll have a unique URL for every design you save which you can send to anyone! They can then see or clone the design. They cannot edit your design. You can also delete it whenever you'd like.

What materials do you support?
Crafty currently have 1000 parts across
aluminum 8020, steel, wood, HVAC and PVC! Let us know if we're missing a part.

Where did the idea for this app come from?
I spent a year building an off grid farm and knew nothing about construction / plumbing / electrical work…
I saw that most people had to go the hardware store multiple times and many times they weren’t able to finish their work that day because the vendor didn’t have the part. So I thought if you can design your project beforehand, it will allow us to check for compatibility while you’re designing and then be able to send you all the parts! Much easier!

Can I connect PVC to wood, t-slot / aluminum 8020?
Yes. There are transition parts that allow you to connect PVC to wood or wood to aluminum 8020. If there is interest, we will start adding parts like motors and electrical components as well.

The idea for Crafty is to be a place where you can design your entire project with all of its components so when you want to get to building, all you need to do is order!

Do you have everything in stock?
No, not everything. We currently have about half of the parts and our goal is to little by little add more.
For the parts we don't have, we will give you a link for the provider that you can buy it from. Hopefully as the app gets more traction, we will start to carry more and more items so we can ship you everything in one set.

How do you deal with long and heavy parts (like 2x4s)?
When you have parts longer than 36" or of a certain kind (like lumber beyond a certain WxH), we just give you the dimension / exact length for you to go buy that at your local store. It doesn't make much sense to ship a 2x4 :)

Are you going to add more parts?
Yes. This current set of parts that you see on the app is our initial set. We just finished this version in late April 2023 so we’re listening to the feedback we get and will evolve the app to be the best that it can be for all of you!

Why not just use CAD?
You can! If you have all the parts downloaded already and are an expert in CAD software. Also, I would hope that your CAD software gives you a clean output of all the parts / their exact measurements.
What CAD software won't do is allow you to share the design online and allow others to see your design and specs.

Do you have tips I can follow for different materials?
Sure! Here are some basic concepts.
How to Use 80/20 Aluminum
How to Cut PVC Pipe
Can I Connect PVC Pipe with Metal Threads?
How to Connect PVC Pipe without Glue

Do you have any tutorials on how to use the app?
Yes please visit our YouTube Channel and learn about:
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: Design Your Woodworking Project!
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: How to design your DIY PVC Project!

Do you remember the first time you made something for yourself?

It’s such an empowering feeling.

Whether you're 8 or 80... have no experience building anything or you’re a veteran diyer...

Live in a tiny apartment or have a garage full of tools...

Anyone should be able to imagine → design → make things the way they think it should be done!