Simple/Easy Beer Tote/Carrier

This beer tote/carrier was very simple, easy and also very inexpensive to make. Though there are some designs that require both more advanced tools and skills, this one does not. I also documented this in a YouTube video and by watching the video and reading this tutorial, I hope you are inspired to build this project. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlVK-rCEsM

Tools Required

- Saw ( I used a miter and bandsaw, but you can use a jig saw, circular saw or a table saw)

- Sander (I used a belt sander and a palm sander, but you can use a sanding block, orbital sander, or most any sander)

- Brad nailer (I used a cheap harbor freight unit, you can use nails and a hammer if you don't have this)

- Screw driver

- Drill

Materials Used

1x6 pine for the main body of the tote/carrier

.25x2 poplar for the sides

Hardboard for the dividers

1 bottle opener https://www.amazon.com/Rustic-Farmhouse-Mounted-Bo...

Template

Using the 1x6 wood (measures to 5 1/2) I created 3 templates:

1)Sides of the tote/carrier - 5 1/2" x 11" (pictures shows 11.5 but its wrong)

a) Follow video to show how I created the shape

2)The bottom - 5 1/2" x 8"

3) Handle - it was 8" wide and i free handed the design

Cut Wood

I used a miter saw to cut out the sides and bottom of the tote/carrier. Pretty Straight froward

I used a band saw to cut out the handle then a disc sander to bring the handle to it's final shape.

Like i mentioned, you can use any saw that cuts wood to accomplish this.

Assemble

I used a cheap brad nailer from harbor freight and tightbond glue. I then clamped it and let dry for a few hours.

Dividers

While it was drying, i created the dividers.

1) The internal diameter of the tote/carrier is 8", I cut a peice of a hardboard 8" wide to make the long divider.

2) I want it to hold 6 bottles so I need perpendicular short dividers at 1/3 and 2/3 point of the long divider (see picture)

3) I cut slots at the 1/3 and 2/3 point which go to about halfway up the height of the divider

4) Then I cut 2 short dividers at 5 1/2" and cut a slot in the middle halfway up the height of the short divider

Carrier Sides

The carrier sides are made of 1/4" x 2 poplar I sourced from the local home depot.

I simply measured the length needed and then cut. I did this 4 times (2 on each side)

Again, I used brad nails and glue to attach the sides to the main carrier. I used a left over piece to space out the 2 sides.

Finish Prep

I filled all the brad nail wholes with wood putty. After the putty dried, I sanded with 110 grit sand paper, then 220 grit to finish it off.

Stain and Poly

This is the part of the project where you can get as creative as you want. There are many different finishes and techniques.

I used 1 coat of "Special Walnut" applied with the 2" foam brush and wiped clean with a shop towel.

After 24 hours, I sprayed 1 heavy coat of polyurethane. This is to protect/seal the wood.

Finale

The last thing I did was installed the bottle open. This piece is really want makes these carriers cool, in my opinion.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Feel free to ask questions and be sure to check out the video I made of this project. It should give you extra insight on how to make this, by watching me do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVlVK-rCEsM

Thank you!