I have a tool chest that I really like that works well for most of my tools. I need a part that has drawers for other tools and so as a part of the package in my next book I will be including this two-part project for my fellow woodworkers.
As woodworkers are fascinated by by boxes it seems only fitting that any of our early projects provide training as well as practical solutions to store the tools and equipment we use. Boxes for tool brings order to the workshop and bench and a well placed tool is always to hand when we need it. Tool boxes protect tools from dust and atmospheric changes that cause rust and other problems so that’s why they are important. Wooden toolboxes are also kinder on our tools in that they more gently cushion them as we pick them up and stow them back. Aesthetically, I have never found a tool cabinet or box made from metal that gave me pleasure. I find much greater levels of comfort and peace with my tools fitted and stored in wooden cases and boxes.
I found some very nice Redwood pine in Llandudno Junction at Richard Williams builders merchants and bought several boards as it was virtually knot free, straight grained and good configuration and colour for box making.
These dovetails take about 15-20 minutes per corner and I have only two long corners in this case. Here is a picture of a work in progress I di did for the main box a few months ago. The one I am making is similar but does not have a lift up lid but drawers only. Both types will be in the next book.
Some times the box sides curve because if humidity. In this case they have stayed flat, but if they do, simply clamp a straight piece of wood against the board. That way you can lay out, cut, fit and assemble the joint with the stiff-back clamped in place and remove it after the joint is completed. It works every time!
I laid out these dovetails conventionally on this corner and on the other end I eyeballed all seven Keep following.
4 Comments
Hi Paul It looks like another good project that I will follow with interest, you say you are making it out of Redwood pine how does this compare to standard white Pine you may get at B&Q, given the choise what would you choose
Regards
David
Redwood pine is much harder and denser than most North American pines so we are fortunate here that we can get such dense grained woods. I counted the annual rings on one of the boards I was using here and there were 40 growth rings in 3/4″. Actually, its likely that what B&Q sells as standard white pine will be spruce or some hybrid; much softer than redwood. It’s more likely that you will get redwood from your local builders timber yard. The white B&Q stuff is lighter in weight and I understand that weight to strength ratio in spruce is unparalleled, but that said, I prefer working in redwood pine over just about all others.
Thanks for the tip about clamping a straight piece of wood against a curved board. I will try it with a few curved boards for a project I am doing. Their thickness, or rather lack there of, will not allow for planing them flat again.
It works great. I have never had a situation where it didn’t. Another thing I do is try not to take the boards out of the clamps until I am ready to surface plane and make the joints. On my blog you can see boards ready for this week when i will put together a Shaker hope chest. These are projects I am using to give woodworkers an opportunity to develop their skills and learn new techniques while at the same time reinforcing the joints learned in Working Wood 1&2 book. ANyway, glad i can help.
Best regards for now,
Paul
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Hi Paul It looks like another good project that I will follow with interest, you say you are making it out of Redwood pine how does this compare to standard white Pine you may get at B&Q, given the choise what would you choose
Regards
David
Redwood pine is much harder and denser than most North American pines so we are fortunate here that we can get such dense grained woods. I counted the annual rings on one of the boards I was using here and there were 40 growth rings in 3/4″. Actually, its likely that what B&Q sells as standard white pine will be spruce or some hybrid; much softer than redwood. It’s more likely that you will get redwood from your local builders timber yard. The white B&Q stuff is lighter in weight and I understand that weight to strength ratio in spruce is unparalleled, but that said, I prefer working in redwood pine over just about all others.
Thanks for the tip about clamping a straight piece of wood against a curved board. I will try it with a few curved boards for a project I am doing. Their thickness, or rather lack there of, will not allow for planing them flat again.
It works great. I have never had a situation where it didn’t. Another thing I do is try not to take the boards out of the clamps until I am ready to surface plane and make the joints. On my blog you can see boards ready for this week when i will put together a Shaker hope chest. These are projects I am using to give woodworkers an opportunity to develop their skills and learn new techniques while at the same time reinforcing the joints learned in Working Wood 1&2 book. ANyway, glad i can help.
Best regards for now,
Paul