How to build a beer caddy

This diy step by step diy project is about how to build a beer caddy. This project is about building a wooden beer tote for 12 oz bottles. If you want to make yourself a gift or for the important men in your life, this beer caddy is a great choice. I managed to build this diy beer caddy under 10 $, using pine and common tools.

You should always plan everything from the very beginning, in order to prevent costly mistakes and to save time. If this is your first project, you should read the instructions with attention. Invest in high quality lumber and plywood, as the components will be exposed to bad weather. Protect the components with appropriate paint or stain.

There are a few tips that you should take into account, if you want to get a professional result. Therefore, take accurate measurements and use professional tools when making the cuts or when drilling pilot holes. Align the components at both ends and add waterproof glue to the joints, if you want to create a rigid structure. See all my Premium Plans in the Shop.

Made from this plan

Beer caddy plans

Building a beer caddy

Materials

A – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 11 1/2″ long SIDES
B – 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 7 1/2″ long BOTTOM
C – 6 pieces of 1×2 lumber (1/4″ thick) – 9″ long RAILS
D – 1 piece of 3/4″ dowel – 7 1/2″ long HANDLE

wood putty
wood glue
wood stain

Tools

Safety gloves, glasses
Miter saw, jigsaw, pocket hole jig
Chalk line, tape measure, spirit level, carpentry pencil
Drill machinery and drill bits

Tips

Use a good miter saw to make the angle cuts
Drill pilot holes before inserting the screws

Time

One Day

Building a 6 pack beer tote

Building a beer caddy

Follow the plans and instructions to build this rustic beer tote for yourself or for a special person in your life.

Building the sides

The first step of the project is to build the sides of the tote. Mark the cut lines to the slats and get the job done with a saw.

Fitting the bottom

Cut a piece of 1×6 lumber for the bottom. Use 1 1/4″ nails and glue to lock the sides to the bottom.

Fitting the side rails

Fit the wood strips to the sides of the beer tote.

Attaching the handle

Cut a 3/4″ dowel and lock it to the top of the caddy.

Beer caddy plans

Attach the wall mounted bottle opener to one side of the beer tote. Apply stain to the wood components.

Building the sides

The first step of the project is to build the sides for the beer caddy. As you can notice in the diagram, you need to mark the cut lines on the 1×6 slats. Make sure the marks are accurate, otherwise the look won’t be symmetrical.

Cutting the sides

Clamp the pieces to a a workbench before making the cuts. The easiest way I found to get the job done was to use a handsaw. However, you can use a jigsaw or even a miter saw. Just make sure you follow the marks when making the cuts. Smooth the edges with 120-200 sandpaper.

Cutting the parts for the beer tote

Cut the rest of the components for the beer caddy. Smooth the surface before starting the assembly, in order to get a professional result.

Adding glue to the joints

Add glue to the side edges of the bottom piece, before attaching the sides. Make sure you spread the glue evenly for a professional result.

Assembling the beer caddy

Use 1 1/4″ brad nails to attach the sides to the bottom piece. Make sure the edges are perfectly aligned before driving the nails.

Building a beer caddy

Fit the opposite side to the wooden beer tote. Apply glue before fitting the side rails into place.

Fitting the rails

I used 1/4″ thick strips of 1x2s for the side rails. Align everything with attention and insert 3/4″ brad nails to lock them into place. Make sure you align everything with attention before inserting the nails into place.

Making sure the bottles fit

After fitting some of the rails, I wanted to make sure the bottles fit inside the tote properly. And it was a success!

Side rails

I attached the middle rails to the sides of the beer tote. Make sure the gaps are even before securing them to the frame with nails.

Assembling the beer tote

The beer caddy is starting to take shape and I like the designed I have created. It looks sleek and rustic in the same time.

Fitting the handle

Time to add the handle to the tote. I cut a piece of 3/4″ dowel and fit it inside the box. I left about 1/4″ from the top of the sides. I inserted 1 1/4″ finishing nails through the sides into the dowel to lock it into place tightly. Two nails on each side will do.

Alternatively you can drill 3/4″ holes through the sides and fit the dowel into place. However, you need to cut the dowel longer. Insert nails through the top of the sides into the dowel to lock it into place.

Wooden Beer Tote

The wood beer tote makes for a great gift for the man in your life. I managed to build this caddy under 10 $, including the cost of the bottle opener, but I used pine. Not bad for an unique gift for the loved ones.

DIY Beer Tote

I stained the box to enhance the look of my project. The stain color is rosewood. It really pops and it gives it an unique character.

Staining the tote

The beer tote seen from above has an interesting shape. But I can also say it lacks a six pack to be complete…

Installing the wall mounted botle opener

Installing the wall mounted bottle opener

I attached the bottle opener. I chose a galvanized one, even if it was more expensive, but I really liked the look. I used 1/2″ screws to lock the bottle opener to the beer tote.

How to build a beer tote

I applied a few coats of lacquer to protect the finish and to enhance its look. I made this beer tote as a gift for my father, so I hope he will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed building it.

Building a beer tote

I hope you enjoyed this this step by step tutorial and you should take a look over the rest of my projects. I would love to hear your feedback and to see your pins, likes and shares. If you build this diy beer tote don’t forget to send a few pics.

Thank you for reading our project about how to build a beer caddy and we recommend you to check out the rest of the projects. Don’t forget to SHARE and LIKE our projects with your friends, by using the social media widgets, if you want to help us keep adding free woodworking plans.

PRINT PLAN