| Project by Eric | posted 553 days ago | 793 views | 1 time favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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With the box I recently made for my wife (my first real project), I felt like I had to agonize over every single little step. I needed something I could just “throw together” without worrying too much about how it looked. I just wanted to build something, and for it not to take months. Enter the chisel box.
A chisel box doesn’t have to look nice. It’ll rarely leave the shop. Nevertheless, I found myself caring a little too much about it, and had to keep reminding myself, “It’s only a chisel box” as the project went on and things kept going wrong. Here are the lessons I learned along the way:
- Use the pencil! If you notice in the pics, the halfway decent chisel (if I do say so myself) which I woodburned onto the front of my chisel box is actually on the back. Way to go, Eric, for botching which side you thought the front was when you woodburned it on! (The box was glued together and I hadn’t cut the lid off yet.) It’s only a chisel box.
- Use a flush-cut saw to do flush-cut work. I thought I’d glue the two end pieces on a bit too long and then cut them flush with my saw. Well you can see the graze marks on the back of the box where the set of my saw caught the box. It’s only a chisel box.
- Support plywood when screwing into it. I didn’t have a drill bit small enough, so I couldn’t pre-bore my holes for the screws (hinges and clasp). When I drove the screws in, it started ripping apart my cheap plywood. I had to glue and clamp it back together, further complicating a simple project. It’s only a chisel box.
- Don’t go all overkill with the nails. I didn’t know what length nails I’d need. I was afraid that butt-jointing plywood with tiny nails wouldn’t be strong enough, so I went with bigger nails. In a couple spots, I got too close to the edge of the plywood and it’s bulged out a little. Don’t ask me why I didn’t use screws. I don’t know. It’s only a chisel box.
All in all, I’m happy with it. It holds my chisels securely with a minimal amount of wood (important considering I have to lug them overseas and back). It looks okay. And I learned a lot even though it was a simple project.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com































17 comments so far
GaryK
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9521 posts in 880 days
posted 553 days ago
Pretty cool, Eric. It does the job!
I just have mine rolling around in a drawer.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
jockmike2
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7297 posts in 1138 days
posted 552 days ago
very good, that’ll keep em sharp. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Beginningwoodworker
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4101 posts in 565 days
posted 552 days ago
Thats a very nice box, Eric.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Scott Bryan
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20538 posts in 714 days
posted 552 days ago
Eric,
You did well on the construction of this box and I like the woodburning too. You just added a new skill to your ever growing list.
Very nice.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
teenagewoodworker
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2479 posts in 660 days
posted 552 days ago
great job. thats a nice looking chisel box and it works great too. thanks for the post.
Paul D
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2125 posts in 640 days
posted 552 days ago
Eric here is a tip for you that I really should follow myself – Slow Down! Things tend to go sideways when I don’t think something through, label my pieces, etc. Your box looks fine and it’s a learning experience for you, after all, ”It’s only a chisel box.” Have fun Eric!
-- Paul D, Atlanta GA
ChicoWoodnut
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895 posts in 707 days
posted 552 days ago
The chisel is a fearsome instrument whose mastery comes only to those with the strength to persevere. The road to LJ nirvana is paved with many splinters. You sir have showed your mettle by taking the high road.
Use the pencil Luke.
Nice chisel box BTW ^o^
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
darryl
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1392 posts in 1218 days
posted 552 days ago
it accomplishes what you set out to do, that’s the important part.
and it was a learning experience!
-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com
Blake
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2755 posts in 766 days
posted 552 days ago
This is a great little box. I like the chisel image. Maybe you should put another one on the front too?
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
sharad
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704 posts in 696 days
posted 552 days ago
A very suitable box to protect your chisels. Experience has no substitute. Next time u will avoid all mistakes because next time it won’t be ”It’s only a chisel box.”
Sharad
-- patanjali
Eric
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784 posts in 676 days
posted 552 days ago
Thanks guys! And Blake – that’s exactly what my son said. I’m halfway tempted to do it, but…
”It’s only a chisel box.”
Leaving it as is will be a stronger reminder to me to take my time with future projects!
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
PurpLev
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2732 posts in 540 days
posted 466 days ago
I dont understand what the big deal is all about – It’s only a chisel box :)
and a nice looking one! thanx for sharing
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
trucker12349
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88 posts in 377 days
posted 324 days ago
eric, that is a good idea, hope you don’t mind if I borrow it as I have to make a chisel storage box myself. We all learn from our mistakes we make when we rush. As long as we don’t repeat the mistakes all is well. If I worried about all the things I’ve done that haven’t turned out like I wanted them to I would be old and grey, I mean older and greyer, lol. I don’t let people get to me too often because I love myself and the heck with them.
Karson
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25794 posts in 1292 days
posted 324 days ago
Eric: I guess this is the infamous Chisel box of another post. I like it. Good job
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Eric
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784 posts in 676 days
posted 324 days ago
Thanks Trucker and Karson! Appreciate the words of encouragement.
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
Tony Ennis
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72 posts in 28 days
posted 14 days ago
My goal in woodworking is to reduce the magnitude of my mistakes to the point I produce a recognizable object that’s approximately the intended size. You did that and even got a working product. Good job!
-- Tony
a1Jim
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16577 posts in 469 days
posted 14 days ago
Looks like you have more projects now. well done.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon