| Project by Eric | posted 147 days ago | 341 views | 1 time favorited | 12 comments | ![]() |
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
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12 comments so far
GaryK
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8486 posts in 474 days
posted 146 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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4142 posts in 732 days
posted 146 days ago
very good, that’ll keep em sharp. mike
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
Beginningwoodworker
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470 posts in 159 days
posted 146 days ago
Thats a very nice box, Eric.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Scott Bryan
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9100 posts in 308 days
posted 146 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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2033 posts in 254 days
posted 146 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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2129 posts in 234 days
posted 146 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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670 posts in 301 days
posted 146 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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855 posts in 812 days
posted 146 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.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~
Blake
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2016 posts in 360 days
posted 146 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.theeasellife.com
sharad
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329 posts in 290 days
posted 146 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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661 posts in 269 days
posted 145 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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353 posts in 134 days
posted 60 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
-- My Drinking Club has a Woodworking Problem...