Air Compressor Cart

Mobilize your air compressor and accessories
  • Save
Air Compressor Cart

Effortlessly wheel your air compressor where it’s needed. No need for second trips to fetch hoses, tools and fasteners, they are all self contained in this handy, easy-to-build cart.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Build the cart

Build this mobile home for your small air compressor and roll it to any job, anywhere in the shop, house or yard! The built-in air hose reel and tool bin keep your whole air-powered tool operation together. Measure your compressor before building. You may have to alter the dimensions so yours will fit.

Cut out the plywood parts with a circular saw or a table saw and a jigsaw for the curves. Bore the 1-1/4-in. dowel holes before assembling the cart. Mount casters to the underside of the base with lag screws, then mark and drill holes in the crosspiece for the hose reel and bolt it on. That’s it! Organize nail guns, nail packs, nail gun oil and tire inflation accessories in the handy tool pockets and you’re ready to roll. Our thanks to Phil Mason for this design.

Details for compressor cart.

Details for compressor cart.

Compressor Cart Plans

Use these dimensions as a guide, but measure your air compressor and make adjustments as necessary.

Back to Top

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

    • Circular saw
    • Drill/driver, cordless
    • Jigsaw

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

    • Two 2-ft. x 4-ft. sheets of 3/4-in. plywood ($8 each at a home center)
    • One 2-ft. x 4-ft. sheet of 1/2-in. plywood
    • One 1-1/4-in. closet dowel
    • Two 4-in. casters ($8 each at a home center)
    • One air hose reel ($37; part no. 159184 at northerntool.com)
    • Six 3/8-in. x 2-in. hex head bolts, nuts and washers
    • Eight 5/16-in. x 1-in. lag screws

Shopping List

Back to Top

Comments from DIY Community Members

Share what's on your mind and see what other DIYers are thinking about.

1 - 4 of 4 comments
Show per page: 20   All
Reedzo

February 24, 10:54 AM [GMT -5]

I store my compressor in the basement and larger wheels on the outside of the cart would be great to ease the task of getting the compressor up and down the stairs.

iatimlee

February 12, 3:16 PM [GMT -5]

Adding a retractable extension cord to keep the compressor up would be a nice addition as well. This looks like a great idea for moving around from room to room in a new house when doing trim work.

Yukoneric

February 12, 9:23 AM [GMT -5]

The cart I built a couple years ago is too large to fit through the entry door to our house, fortunately the hose is long enough to reach wherever I need to nail.. This one would. My cart holds EVERYTHING. If one were to store nailers in their cases on a shelf, then I see this working; would not want tools to be unprotected. Nice plan.

MikeFL

February 10, 8:20 PM [GMT -5]

Excellent project. Great for those of us who misplace what doesn't have a "home".
As a cost saver I suggest checking Harbor Freight's 4 caster furniture dolly. On sale
they are about $8 and you get 4 casters and bolts/nuts.

+ Add Your Comment
Back to Top
closeX

Add Your Comment

Air Compressor Cart

Please add your comment
Submit Comment Cancel
closeX

Log in to My Account

Log in to enjoy membership benefits from The Family Handyman.

  • Forgot your password?
Don’t have an account yet?

Sign up today for FREE and become part of The Family Handyman community of DIYers.

Member benefits:

  • Get a FREE Traditional Bookcase Project Plan
  • Sign up for FREE DIY newsletters
  • Save projects to your project binder
  • Ask and answer questions in our DIY Forums
  • Share comments on DIY Projects and more!
Join Us Today
closeX

Report Abuse

Subject
Reasons for reporting post
Report Abuse Cancel
Save and organize projects in your Project Binder with a FREE Membership! Join today»

Free OnSite Newsletter

Get timely DIY projects for your home and yard, plus a dream project for your wish list!