Toolbox Issues for Us Woodworkers
I designed it. As far as I know no other existed before it came about. Having said that, all of the ones I have seen LIKE it are the commoner ones I find all of the time here in the UK , which are the ones skinned back and front with 1/4” plywood that’s screwed and glued to the main box. I wouldn’t dismiss this one either. I can make the superstructure for one in about three hours and have it functioning ready to make the tills.
Tool boxes are of course a personal statement in the cabinet maker’s shop. (Cabinet maker UK is furniture maker). That said, I have different ones I have made through the decades and I probably own about 20 fall fronts as shown or similar, 10 chests to this pattern or similar and then of course the ‘bin’ type like this one here of which I have half a dozen two of which my wife uses for keeping the children’s treasured things as they were growing.
What’s different to the skinned plywood ones? I decided not to use plywood because in almost every example of ply-skinned ones I have seen, the plywood has broken down. Therein is my reason. Painting them helps greatly and then not leaving them in a dark damp cellar works well too. Of course its a quick and simple thing to replace the plywood too. I think that they are good for site work, keeping around for working at home and so on. I also think the method of construction shouldn’t be lost as it does mark an era of the start of and reliance on plywood for panelling work too.
On my design I developed it so that it had door and frame construction in the build, dovetailed joinery for strength to the superstructure, which is standard anyway, and of course drawer construction inside. I used raised panels too, to add a learning dimension for students, but also because, well, they look nice.
At the ultimate end of course you have the cabinet makers tool chest. These are usually weighty affairs because of the hardwoods and they were and are the show off tool chest apprentices designed to pass for the guild exams for entry into the guilds. These were often examples of general joinery, yes, but also more intricate details such as veneering and cockbeading, inlay work and carving sometimes. Then of course there is the Seaton chest and millions of others beside. Excesses in everything never stop, but I think nice work in a tool chest is sort of a private enjoyment for the crafting artisan. Perhaps I will find time for none in my retiring years but somehow I doubt it. We have a lot to do yet to complete what I would like to complete.
And then of course you’ve got this. Built like a battleship and ready for war. These chests were built for war service by servicemen in the military of two wars. That’s why so many exist. Sad times and sad losses for many when the tools came home but the men and women didn’t.
If you have little time to look at tool chests and boxes look at these here.
In retrospect, this would have been an ideal build for me before I moved. I could have put all my minimalist hand tools into this, and kept it available throughout our move. I have handcuffed myself by packing ‘like with like” and as much of it remains packed and not accessible. Something I did not see a lot of value to before, but now, makes miles of sense.
Three syllables: Fan-tas-tic! Thank you!
Very nice, thanks. I spent a while perusing the images in the final link. Some very inspiring work there. Although, some strange images came up that confused me briefly, until I realized that yes, those were indeed images of chests as well. Oops.
Paul,
Thanks for filling in some history for me about the chests.
I envy your elequince, as a contemporary (70 yrsold). I have immense storage of toolmaking and woodworking ( Gunsmith for 40 yrs) in my head, If only l could relay that info half as well (even 1/10 !) as you!
Best I can do is make a boring list else all is lost!
Your fan,
Paul in USA
One fundamental consideration was whether the chest is to be usually portable or not. The traditional cabinetmaker’s chest was large enough to hold a fairly extensive kit of tools such as would be used by a workshop-based craftsman. That chest might be moved only if the owner changed jobs, and would take several men to move. The site joiner, on the other hand, needed something that can be moved frequently, so it needed to be smaller and lighter (like the rather elegant example in Paul’s third and fourth photographs). In his favour, the site joiner’s regular kit of tools was usually much smaller than that of the bench hand. With the advent of power tools and the Transit van, all that has changed!
When deciding on a chest design, it’s worth considering the kit of tools it will be expected to contain and designing round that. Don’t make the mistake of building a beautiful chest that’s 2″ too short to store your longest saw, for example.
Hi Paul,
interesting stuff there about the toolboxes and a great insight given by yourself.
Also you wrote – ” We have a lot to do yet to complete what I would like to complete.” is it OK for me to ask you please what you want to complete, and how far have still to go.
Because I have learnt heck of a lot on this Forum and also with your DVDs.
ATB ….
We are working out details on next years plans and trying to finish up this year’s. Whe we get nearer the end of the year we will likely let everyone know where we are going.
Thank you for the reply, and good luck with it.
Paul,
Will you be offering ‘bin’ type tool box plans or at least the dimensions? I have seen these in your pictures but I don’t think I have seen a project on that design. Thanks.
If you are a paying member of woodworking masterclasses you can access all past projects.
I meant fall front ‘bin’ type tool boxes that are pictured on your website and blog.
Oh, right. No, that has never been a project anywhere as yet but it would make a good one.