Machinist Tool Chest

[Chris West]

I built this piece in the style of a traditional machinist's chest using ash and Sapele. I resawed the Sapele and the ash from some 50mm stock. I did the stringing on the front by hand with some holly that I cut from a tree a few years ago. I've only done a little stringing before so I was a bit worried about making an errant groove but with the right tools, properly sharpened, it worked out pretty well.

This one is a present for my son. It took me a couple of months but I enjoyed every minute of it. I chuckled when I saw these things can be bought on ebay for a fraction of the cost of the stock and hardware. Such is DIY these days. Sadly, suppliers have driven the cost of most things sky high thus discouraging many to take up a most satisfying hobby.