LumberJocks

Tool Chest

Project by Philip Edwards posted 729 days ago 1615 views 5 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites
Tool Chest Tool Chest Tool Chest Click the pictures to enlarge them

I moved to a new home earlier this year and decided to build a new chest to hold my hand tools. A new workshop deserves a handsome toolchest!
I used Black Walnut for the carcase with mahogany for the drawers. The drawer fronts were veneered with figured Anigre to give them some subtle “wow” factor and the knobs were turned from Rosewood.
I am currently working on fitting the drawers to hold my hand tools, a difficult task as I always seem to pick the odd new tool. And I want to build a mobile base unit to go under the chest with room for my larger hand planes, etc.
A tool chest is a great project to build for your ‘shop. It keeps your tools safe, free from rust and most important-in one place! No more searching on shelves for that elusive chisel ;)
I have put step-by-step pictures on my website Here


18 comments so far

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3057 posts in 854 days


posted 728 days ago

Very nice. I really love the step-by-step on your website. I’ve always learned best with good visuals. Thanks !

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 728 days ago

Thanks Dennis!
Glad you liked it,
Phil

View scottb's profile

scottb

3064 posts in 867 days


posted 728 days ago

Very nice Phil, although I’ve been keeping tabs on the progress of this over at your blog. Thanks for putting together the step by step. Fantastic details for a piece that’ll live in the shop, – speaks volumes about your work. I trust you left a couple drawers for Santa to fill?

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 728 days ago

Ahh..so someone DOES read my blog ;)
Thanks Scott-there is a little room if Santa wants to bring me something tool-like!
Best regards
Phil

View Obi's profile

Obi

2157 posts in 777 days


posted 703 days ago

Not only did I read your blog, but downloaded all the pictures as reference. Great tool box. Now I have to make another one because my first one looks more like a high School Wood Shop project.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

5399 posts in 839 days


posted 703 days ago

What a terrific tool box. The contrasting woods really bring out the beauty of it. You could put this one in your living room. You have a great website, it’s so well organized, did you set it up yourself ? With what company does your website originate ?

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

4506 posts in 787 days


posted 703 days ago

Great piece of work Phil. jockmike2

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 703 days ago

Thanks Obi, Dick.
I went a bit over the top with the tool chest. But at least I won’t have to make another for a few years ;)
Glad you like my website-it’s my own work. I use Frontpage to build it, it is pretty straightforward. But it does take a lot of time to keep it updated.
Best regards
Phil

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 703 days ago

Thanks Mike-appreciate it!
Phil

View Don's profile

Don

2586 posts in 717 days


posted 703 days ago

Phil, I discovered your website a few days back from another of your LumberJock’s blogs. I have spent hours studying it and your step-by-step projects. Upon making this discovery, I immediately added you to my ‘buddies’ list. I am in awe of your craftsmanship, and I look forward to learning a lot from you.

I have a plan for a wall cabinet for my hand tools. Perhaps I can add that to my list of ‘to-do’s’ this year.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 702 days ago

Aw Dan-now you are making me blush!! “In awe of my craftmanship”?? Nah, just crafty photography…;)
Best regards
Phil

View Red Headed Merganser's profile

Red Headed Merganser

751 posts in 714 days


posted 700 days ago

Ok, Phil… I had a little time on my lunch break to look over the step process of your tool chest. I like the simplicity of the side panels, and I really like the added beading detail to the center stile of each panel.

One thing I noticed, however, is that you veneer the front of the drawers and the top of the chest, but you don’t mention anything about veneering the opposite sides of the boards. Is that something you did and just didn’t mention? Or did you only veneer the one side? If the latter, then do you have any problems with movement/warping?

Did you have any thoughts as to how tall you should make your drawers? Is there a height that is too tall and thus becomes wasted space? What is the max height on your lower drawers? You can use metric if you want – I know how to convert it. :)

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 699 days ago

Ethan
Veneering-the drawers are made of solid mahogany with the sides sliding dovetailed into the fronts. I felt happy that the joint would ensure the fronts didn’t warp when I veneered them. So far they seem to be fine.
The top I only veneered on the top face. I’ve read conflicting stories on veneering only one side. As the top is screwed down tight to the carcase I’m hoping the top will be o.k. I also made sure both sides of the top received equal amounts of finish to balance this. It too seems very happy. Time will tell…
I made the thinnest drawers suitable for chisels and files, then made them bigger as looked best to the eye. By using the drawer bottom as the runner you get the most usuable depth to the drawers. The largest drawer is 2 1/2 inches deep inside-plenty for small planes, etc.
Best regards
Phil

View Red Headed Merganser's profile

Red Headed Merganser

751 posts in 714 days


posted 699 days ago

Thanks for the info, Phil! I’ll keep all of that in mind as I work on designs…

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View bigpops0259's profile

bigpops0259

134 posts in 689 days


posted 681 days ago

Nice job, Great idea, nice use of woods, Don’t make that base to mobile. Nice web site a lot of info.

-- Marty Ohio

View Philip Edwards's profile

Philip Edwards

222 posts in 979 days


posted 680 days ago

Thanks Marty! Glad you like my website, too.
Best regards
Phil

View WayneC's profile

WayneC

5684 posts in 637 days


posted 601 days ago

I will have to add this to my to do list. I really need something like this. It is a real wonderful item. Did you ever build the base?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

View Diane's profile

Diane

465 posts in 663 days


posted 596 days ago

Great job, so organized you are now. This is a beautiful box.

Diane

-- http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb276/DMarcella/

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