How to make a totable 54 egg, egg carrier

 Hi folks, I got a useful little project for you today.  That is if... you live on a farm and if... you have chickens or know somebody who does.  I'm really happy how this turned out, and I hope you might want to make one for yourself or for someone you know who can use it.  If not... then heck, it makes pretty decor.   You can skip the shelving part and use it as a decorative basket.  Ok, let's do it!

Wood requirements:

I used 3/8" poplar plywood for my box and 3/16" plywood for the "shelves",   I used an old broom handle (1 1/8" dowel) for the handle. and 1/4" dowel as locking device.

Equipment:

Proxxon mini table saw.                                                                                                                          Proxxon cordless rotary tool.                                                                                                                    Proxxon cordless belt sander,                                                                                                                      Proxxon OZI/E delta sander.                                                                                                                        Proxxon scroll saw,                                                                                                                          Proxxon mini bandsaw.

Miscellaneous

Wood glue.                                                                                                                                                    Old metal clothes hanger or stiff wire and wire cutter                                                                                  Drill and  1/4" drill bit                                                                                                                        Primer paint and Plaid paints 

  

Let's start with the bottom and the shelves.   Good news, the bottom is ready to go, if you cut it to the size above.  The 3 shelves need the egg holding cut-outs.  I divided my shelves so they would hold 18 eggs each and drew circles where I needed to cut.    I did NOT want to cut out 54 holes so I used masking tape and taped them together making sure they were secure and would not shift.  Next I drilled a started hole in each circle with my Proxxon cordless rotary tool.   I then used the Proxxon mini scroll saw to cut out my holes.  18 holes took a while but it was way better than cutting 54 holes, am I right?

 

Which leads us to the next step.  Sanding.  I used the Proxxon cordless belt sander and the OZI/E delta sander to do the work. 

Set these shelves aside for the moment.

Cutting plans for Box

Long sides measure 13" x 91/2"    (cut 2)                                                                                                    Stationary end 13 1/2" x 7"    Door end 13 1/2" x 6"                                                                                Bottom and  3 shelves 6 3/8" x 13"  (cut 4)

I used the Proxxon mini table saw to cut all my pieces to the sizes above.....  Note in the picture how I am using the outlying fence on this saw to keep my cuts straight.  

. After cutting all the above pieces, take the two end pieces and make a decorative cut as b to the tops of both pieces.  Bear in mind that you will be cutting a hole slightly larger than  1 1/8" in that part to accommodate the broom handle dowel we will use as a handle.  I used the Proxxon mini bandsaw to do this.   Alternately you could use the Proxxon mini scroll saw.  

Now use the Proxxon scroll saw to make a 1 1/4" hole in each of the boards you just cut.

  Set the boards aside for now.  We need to measure our eggs to know how much room they will need.  I calculated 2 1/2" between shelves, but I recommend 3".  Some eggs may be bigger.  I also left 1/2" in the bottom.  

Now we will make the grooves for the shelves to rest on.  There are several steps to this.  

Step 1   Mark one side of your box,   1/2" from the bottom, then 3: up from that line, then 3" up from the second line, and 3" up from that line.  

Step 2.  Remove the blade cover and splitter from your Proxxon mini table saw and set the blade height to 1/4"  

Step 3.  Set your fence at 1/2" from the saw blade.  

Step 4.  Run each of your 4 pieces along the fence and over the blade.  This should cut approx 1/2 way through your wood.    It is the bottom of your pieces running along the fence.   Note that you get a small groove, however you need a larger groove to accommodate the shelving.  So move your fence just slightly closer the blade again run all the pieces through before moving the fence..  And repeat once again for a third time to make a channel that is wide enough for you shelves to slide smoothly.

Do that procedure 3 more times for the 3 shelves.  

Glue the sides to the larger of the back piece, Put 1 or more shelves in to help keep it square.  Clamp it and let dry well.  Note the end piece is on the outside of the side pieces.

Put the box together, with the shelves and dowel and door end in place. Turn it on its side and drill a hole where we will place our wire as a pivot point and drill a small hole the size of your wire through the side and into the door piece.approx 1 1/4" deep   .  Make a second hole about 3/4" above the first but being careful not to go through to the door.  This is just to anchor the first piece.  Bend the wired like shown in the picture below.  You may need to encourage it to go in by using a hammer gently.  Now this door will pivot.  

 

We are going to use the dowel handle as a lock for the door.  On the opposite side from the door mark where the dowel is entering and exiting the wood piece and drill a 3/8" hole through the dowel at these marks.  Cut the 3/8" dowels 2 1/8" long and glue them in to secure the dowel on the far end.  

Slip the other side of the dowel handle into the hole on your door piece and mark where it come out on the outside and drill a hole approx 2/4" from the top in the dowel handle.   This will secure everything yet allow a person to add shelves as needed.  To open the door, pull out the little dowel and slide the dowel out of the hole.  It will pivot on the wires we placed earlier. 

Ok finish sanding and paint.  I used good old exterior house paint as a first coat then used Plaid paints to paint my chickens.    

Remove the top two shelves to begin collecting eggs.  When first (lowest), shelf full add the second shelf.   BTW the extra shelves hang well on the dowel ends.  

Ok.  Now we are done.   I know that was long, but it came out great and is going to be a present for our neighbors who have the chickens who lay the eggs that end up on our table.     

Thanks for visiting.   Come back again.   Thanks Proxxon.   Again, awesome tools.                Carol