Are you wondering how to make a 5 gallon (ca. 19 liters)n bucket dolly? It’s a useful piece of accessory to use around the factory. Whether it’s painting, storing your tools, filling with car wash water, or hauling things around, there is a lot you can do with it.
Unfortunately, a 5-gallon bucket full of water can weigh over 40 pounds, and moving such mass can be a challenge. Although you can also buy one from the store without a second thought, it can be expensive, and it would help if you saved some money.
For this reason, a DIY dolly comes in handy to help support the weight and make work easier. Here is how in easy steps.
What You Will Need for the Project?
It’s essential to have everything ready to avoid stopping the job midway for lack of essential materials. Fortunately for DIY, you don’t need to use complex tools. Some tools are easily available in your garage or workshop for other tasks. For this project, you’ll need the following items;
- Birch plywood
- Electric saw
- Three high-quality castor wheels
- Screws and fasteners
- Screwdriver
- Electric drill
- Glue
- Compass
- Pencil
- Ruler
- 5-gallon bucket
- One large bucket
- Metallic strip
We chose birch plywood since it’s one of the best woods around. It can resist wrapping or bow a lot better than ordinary plywood. Also, screws can bind well and hold the bucket in place. It’s a brilliant choice for making a bucket and will withstand long-term use.
An electric saw cuts the wood faster; however, you can still use a table saw, especially when working outdoors. With the advantage of a table saw since it makes a straight cut, and with patience, you can achieve perfect circles.
An electric drill helps in making circular holes and driving fasteners in the woods. A simple tool would do the job perfectly. If you don’t have an electric drill, you can use a manual screwdriver.
However, the process may take longer than expected. For DIY, this wouldn’t hurt since it’s the first step in knowing what tools are necessary for simple tasks.
The metallic strip is useful in making handles. Unlike plastic strips, metallic options can withstand heavy weights and are durable. If you don’t have the items in your toolbox, you can get them from your local hardware.
Mark the Plywood
Place the plywood on a flat working surface and draw a circle using a compass and a pencil. We suggest a 7-inch diameter since the 5-gallon bucket is six inches. Therefore, it will fit perfectly in the circle. A small diameter would jeopardize your project as the bucket might get stuck or may fail to fit inside the enclosure.
Fix the pencil in the compass to enable you to make a perfect circle. Remember, your 5-gallon bucket is well-shaped, and it’s essential to get the right measurements for the circumference and the diameter.
While still at it, locate a point in the middle of the circle using the compass and start drawing a perfect circle. Ensure the pencil is well sharpened to make clear marks.
On the point where the compass was, draw another smaller circle. This small round shape will be useful in attaching the screw for holding the 5-gallon bucket. Likewise, the screw helps to support the metallic strip for making a handle.
The next step is to put marks on three different areas around the circular marks on the plywood. These three strategic points will be useful in attaching the castor wheels. Next, place a ruler where you intend to place the wheels.
On the three strategic points on the circle, make tiny marks using a tiny cup or a circular object so that it becomes easy to cut. After this step, you’ll also have an impression of the dolly shape.
Cut and Shape the Bucket Dolly
The next step is to cut and shape the dolly. Using a table or electric saw, cut from a specific point on the circle. As earlier mentioned, we recommend a table saw for this task.
Cut the three points and make semi-circular shapes. It’s here where you’ll fix the castor wheels. After you’re done, you’ll have circular wood and three raised semi-circular shapes.
Drill Holes for the Wheels
You’ll need an electric driller to make small holes in the semi-circular shapes. It’s here that you’ll fit in the small wheels.
Next, make a hole at the center of the circle for mounting the metallic strip. It’s an important feature that helps in dragging the dolly. Use a screwdriver to fit the three wheels in the marked positions or the semi-circular shapes.
Shape and Fix the 5-gallon Bucket Dolly
Here, take a larger bucket and cut it into two equal pieces. You can use the table saw to make a perfect circle. The lower part will be essential in supporting the 5-gallon bucket and prevent an accident when you’re pulling the dolly.
At the base of the bucket, make a small hole to aid in supporting and maintaining the proper balance of the dolly. Also, it’s here where you’ll place the screw. Use glue to mount this bucket piece on the plywood. Ensure the center part remains intact.
Place the bucket gently on the glue and put some weight inside for it to attach well. You can use some heavy weights here and leave it for an hour or so until it stabilizes.
After one hour, fix the strip under the dolly using a screwdriver. Then, fasten the screws and ensure they’re tight enough. Pull the dolly to test whether it’s tight. Place a heavy object inside and try lifting it. In addition, test whether the wheels are properly attached and try pulling around.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, a 5-gallon bucket jolly is an essential tool to use in a garage or workshop. Luckily, you can make one without spending a lot of money purchasing from your local hardware. With the right tools, it’ll only take you a few hours to get everything done.
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you’ll have fun and be able to bring out your creativity. Hopefully, you can now make the dolly with ease by following the above instructions.