Old dresser = DIY rolling tool chest
![after-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest A chest of drawers painted blue, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/after-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
I outgrew my toolbox end tables, but I refused to pay hundreds of dollars for one of those ugly, manly Craftsman tool chests. And the gorgeous white ones are even more expensive. This chest of drawers cost me $10 on Craigslist. The total cost including the dresser, hardware, paint, and drawer dividers came to $110. I call that a deal. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)
Handles on both sides of the bureau make it easy to pull around. I used Ikea’s mini drawers to form dividers and lift-out trays in each drawer. What about the mini chests left over? I have a plan for those (coming soon). Please come back Friday to see my complete tool/craft corner.
![drawer-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Open drawer with tools organized inside, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/drawer-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
![before-old-dresser-rolling-tool-chest-crafty-nest An old dresser before the makeover, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/before-old-dresser-rolling-tool-chest-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
How to turn an old dresser into a rolling tool chest
SUPPLIES
TOOLS
INSTRUCTIONS
![DSCF4572-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Bottom of dresser with casters, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4572-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
1. Flip the dresser over. Prepare to install the casters. For me, that meant removing those pieces of wood.
![DSCF4574-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Casters attached to bottom of dresser, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4574-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
2. Drill pilot holes, then screw on the caster plates. Mine are about ¼ inch from the edge. I only used the locks on the two back wheels.
![DSCF4577-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Disassembling a wooden wine box, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4577-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
3. One of my drawer bottoms needed to be replaced. Instead of trying to find sturdy 5/16-inch thick wood, I disassembled a wooden wine box that I obtained on Freecycle.
![DSCF4581-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Fixing a broken drawer, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4581-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
4. After my friend and local woodworker cut the pieces to size, I drilled tiny pilot holes before hammering in the nails (so the thin wood wouldn’t split).
![DSCF4583-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Wooden guide rail added at top, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4583-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
5. The top drawer didn’t have any guide rails to keep the drawer from tipping forward, so I attached scrap wood pieces underneath the top surface of the dresser.
![DSCF4586-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Remove handles and sand, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4586-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C617&ssl=1)
6. Remove the wooden handles. Fill holes and imperfections with wood filler. When dry, lightly sand smooth.
![DSCF4589-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Wioe dresser down with a tack cloth, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4589-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
7. Wipe the dresser down with a tack cloth to remove dust. Use latex gloves if you want to keep the stickiness off your hands.
![DSCF4592-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Dresser with one coat of primer, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4592-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C654&ssl=1)
8. Paint two coats of primer on the frame and drawer fronts.
![DSCF4594-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Painters tape and primer on drawers, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4594-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
9. Use painter’s tape along the edges of the drawer fronts as guides.
![after-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest A chest of drawers painted blue, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/after-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
10. Apply two coats of paint to the frame and drawer fronts with a sponge brush—it gives a smoother surface than a roller or bristle brush. Let dry a couple hours after each coat. Be sure to paint the back as well. Measure, mark, and drill ⅜-inch holes for the handles. Attach the handles with a screwdriver. I installed the side handles the same height as the top drawer handle (6 inches from the top).
![DSCF4597-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Assembling the Ikea Fira drawers, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4597-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
11. I assembled the Ikea Fira drawers per the instructions.
![DSCF4604-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest Top drawer organized, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSCF4604-old-dresser-rolling-toolbox-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
12. Insert the drawers in your desired configuration. Fill with your tools and crafting supplies. The top tray can slide back and forth or lift out.
![pinterest-old-dresser-rolling-tool-chest2-crafty-nest Crafty Nest old dresser rolling tool chest Pinterest image](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pinterest-old-dresser-rolling-tool-chest2-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=600%2C1000&ssl=1)
Share this story
Reader Gallery
Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!
Leave A Comment