How to Build a Plant Dolly
Choose a barrel., Make a paper template for the dolly platform., Transfer the template to a piece of plywood., Cut the plywood with a jigsaw., Screw 4 casters onto the dolly close to the edge (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm seems right – if they are too...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Choose a barrel.
Ideally, use an oak barrel that has a relatively flat bottom – sometimes they become warped during outdoor storage.
They are probably fine but won’t sit perfectly flat on the dolly. -
Step 2: Make a paper template for the dolly platform.
Turn the barrel upside down and cut a circle of paper to size.
The aim is to produce a circle that fits well into the bottom of the barrel, inside the lip with a bit of clearance (about 1/2" or
1.25cm).
That way, the bottom of the barrel will be fully supported by the dolly.
It also looks better – the rough plywood is largely concealed by the lip of the barrel.
A typical barrel such as the one shown here has a diameter of about 2 ft (60cm) at the top, and a bit less (about 22" or 56cm) at the bottom. , Use a marker pen to trace the outline of the template onto the plywood – 3/4" or
1.9cm ply works well.
It need not be pretty, since it is barely visible once completed. , Fit it onto the bottom of the barrel, and trim with the jigsaw if necessary. (You may need two people for this step: exercise caution when using power tools.) , Use screws of length appropriate for the thickness of the plywood.
They will go in better if you drill small pilot holes, using the caster as a template to mark the positions of the holes with a marker pen.
Choose rotating casters rather than those that are fixed.
The ones illustrated here are rated for 125 lb, for a total limit of 500lb, which should be sufficient. (The oak planter shown here is a traditional half whiskey barrel, weighing about 40 lb and with capacity of 106 quarts; estimated weight when full of waterlogged soil is about 250 lb.) You could probably get by with three casters, but it would be slightly less stable – a consideration if you expect to move the dolly often or if you have small children. , Avoid placing them too close to the casters. , A clear deck sealer should be sufficient. (The oak barrel planter has a limited lifespan so there is no need for perfection there).
Allow to dry. , Seven holes (one central and 6 surrounding) with a 3/8” drill bit seems about right. , If it wobbles a lot or does not sit flat, you can shim it with a small piece of wood. , Wait to do this until you are satisfied with the position of the barrel, and make sure you don’t hit the casters. , -
Step 3: Transfer the template to a piece of plywood.
-
Step 4: Cut the plywood with a jigsaw.
-
Step 5: Screw 4 casters onto the dolly close to the edge (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm seems right – if they are too close the center
-
Step 6: the dolly will be less stable).
-
Step 7: Drill a few drainage holes in the plywood.
-
Step 8: Coat the dolly with a weatherproof coating to reduce water damage.
-
Step 9: Drill some drainage holes in the bottom of the barrel.
-
Step 10: Stand the barrel on the dolly.
-
Step 11: Create extra drainage by drilling additional holes into the dolly through the holes in the bottom of the barrel – by aligning them you will have a direct drainage channels that should minimize pooling of water on the dolly.
-
Step 12: Put stones over the drainage holes
-
Step 13: then fill the barrel with soil
-
Step 14: plant and water as desired.
Detailed Guide
Ideally, use an oak barrel that has a relatively flat bottom – sometimes they become warped during outdoor storage.
They are probably fine but won’t sit perfectly flat on the dolly.
Turn the barrel upside down and cut a circle of paper to size.
The aim is to produce a circle that fits well into the bottom of the barrel, inside the lip with a bit of clearance (about 1/2" or
1.25cm).
That way, the bottom of the barrel will be fully supported by the dolly.
It also looks better – the rough plywood is largely concealed by the lip of the barrel.
A typical barrel such as the one shown here has a diameter of about 2 ft (60cm) at the top, and a bit less (about 22" or 56cm) at the bottom. , Use a marker pen to trace the outline of the template onto the plywood – 3/4" or
1.9cm ply works well.
It need not be pretty, since it is barely visible once completed. , Fit it onto the bottom of the barrel, and trim with the jigsaw if necessary. (You may need two people for this step: exercise caution when using power tools.) , Use screws of length appropriate for the thickness of the plywood.
They will go in better if you drill small pilot holes, using the caster as a template to mark the positions of the holes with a marker pen.
Choose rotating casters rather than those that are fixed.
The ones illustrated here are rated for 125 lb, for a total limit of 500lb, which should be sufficient. (The oak planter shown here is a traditional half whiskey barrel, weighing about 40 lb and with capacity of 106 quarts; estimated weight when full of waterlogged soil is about 250 lb.) You could probably get by with three casters, but it would be slightly less stable – a consideration if you expect to move the dolly often or if you have small children. , Avoid placing them too close to the casters. , A clear deck sealer should be sufficient. (The oak barrel planter has a limited lifespan so there is no need for perfection there).
Allow to dry. , Seven holes (one central and 6 surrounding) with a 3/8” drill bit seems about right. , If it wobbles a lot or does not sit flat, you can shim it with a small piece of wood. , Wait to do this until you are satisfied with the position of the barrel, and make sure you don’t hit the casters. ,
About the Author
Nicholas King
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: