Toolchest - May be of interest to beginners

[The Shark]

Hi guys,
Following on from a request from Ed, here is some info on a toolchest I made.

When I started woodworking, I attended recreational night classes at a local school. At that point, I had only ever made a fish when I was at school which involved a piece of pine, a coping saw and lots of sanding!!
This toolchest was the first thing I actually made.

First thing was to buy a saw as this determined the size of the box (700mmx500mmx450mm).
Sides were jointed from 3 pieces of 150mmx20mm, and the dovetails added.
The bottom had a rebate added with a router, and a piece of ply screwed on as a base.
The top is bog standard T&G pinned to a redwood strip and also sat on a rebate.
The top was then cut off with a hand saw.

Inside, scraps of wood were shaped to fit the saws

and drawers were made out of 15mm pine, again with a plywood base screwed into a rebate.
The drawers run on 20mmx20mm strips that are glued and screwed to the sides

A kick board of scrap skirting board was added round the bottom, and a coat of varnish and brassware added.

It has seen better days now, and if I were to make another one I would do it differently, but as a project for a newcomer to the hobby it is ideal as it involves panel-making, dovetail cutting, and routering.

Hope this is of interest

Malc

 

[Mr Ed]

Malc

Thats nicely done, personally I really like the old style of chest even though for most of us these days they are not really needed. I also like the idea of following in the tradition of the old apprentices with this being a first project.

One day when I have time on my hands I'll do one...

Thanks for showing.

Cheers, Ed

 

[OPJ]

That's really nice, Malc and very well done.

Has your tool collection out-grown it yet?? :wink:

 

[The Shark]

Thanks guys,
I know it is not up to Lord Nibbo or Waka's standard, but it was the first thing I ever made, and it is 15 years old!
Olly, my middle names are Mike and Garnham. I don't collect tools - if I have a use for one, I buy it. Otherwise, I do with what I have got.
Will I be burned at the stake now? :lol:

Malc

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Thanks guys,
I know it is not up to Lord Nibbo or Waka's standard, but it was the first thing I ever made, and it is 15 years old!


Malc

Hang on a minute...... First ever project..... and all those dovetails :shock:

One of the first ever things I made with dovetails was a bookshelf, just four bits of wood with four dovetails in it, not much better than book ends, infact bookends would have looked better :lol: Now if I had made your toolbox and it still existed I would be very proud.

 

[The Shark]

Thanks LN,
Just as an aside, I learned a valuable lesson during it's construction.
When I had taken the cramps off the panels, I had to store them at the school. The storeroom was full of tables and chairs this particular week, so not knowing any better, I leaned them up against the central heating radiator (doh!). Needless to say, they looked like boomerangs the next week. I can't remember now how we got round it, but I do remember construction involved much brute force and muttering by both myself and the lecturer! Mind you, only bog standard PVA was used.

Malc

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks guys,
I know it is not up to Lord Nibbo or Waka's standard, but it was the first thing I ever made, and it is 15 years old!


Malc

Hang on a minute...... First ever project..... and all those dovetails :shock:

One of the first ever things I made with dovetails was a bookshelf, just four bits of wood with four dovetails in it, not much better than book ends, in fact bookends would have looked better :lol: Now if I had made your toolbox and it still existed I would be very proud.

I made bookends and boxes for nails and screws!

The tool chests, if made, were usually part of the curriculum during your last couple of years as an apprentice. They were often part of your assessment before you became a 'Journeyman'.. (HNC if you like!) The firm would supply the timber and you would supply the labour; in your own time. 'Stay on with the over-timers lad.' No pay though!

There are some great examples still to be found, simply because they were so well made.

This is a smart tool chest and it shows what can be done even with pine. (Not the easiest species to dovetail; need scary-sharp edge tools.)

Nice work Sharkie.

 

[Waka]

I had a toolbox similar to yours many moons ago, I didn't make it myself and I can't remember where it came from, all I know is that it served me for many years. It certainly wasn't put together as well and this one, don't forget that when it's full you'll need to make a bigger one.

 

[Benchwayze]

Never one to boast, but if I made one for my tools today, to move it, I would need to fit it with castors and probably a motor too!

:lol:

 

[joiner_sim]

Looking good, definatley a good first project for a beginner!