Of Tool Cabinets, Chewing Gum and Sealng Wax #15: Jennings Style Auger Bit Box

The lure of vintage hand tools is like no other. Mostly be because they are small, storeable, transportable, are still useful and functional and as well as affordable. I’ve had a fist full of Irwin and Russell Jennings bits homeless stacked in a drawer. With the new Box Joint Jig and the fact that I was already setting up for the #45 chest I decided that I wanted a Russell Jennings style chest to secure them.

Thanks to several of the LJ’ers on the Vintage Drills of Your Dreams thread I got the general dimensions. These translated into: 10-1/2” (L) x 4-1/2” (H) x 3-1/2” (D)

Once the box was assembled I separated int into the three sections I installed 1/4” bottoms. The rest was just hinges and latches.

I looked for vintage/replica hinges and latches but none to be found. I had to kluge a couple kinds and offset to get them to work. So not as slick as the original. If I find new hinges I’ll replace them.

The top is a 1/2” slab pf Red Oak

THe dividers are not yet installed – I have a lot of duplicate bits especially #5s and #7s. I still need 4,6, and 11 to complete the set. Once I have those I’ll fit dividers.

The two hole are just because it was a piece of scrap pine

The latches are from Woodcraft

Over alll this turned out pretty good – only changes I would make is to add 1/4” to the height and length, and 3/4” to the depth. It’s a bit tight on the top tier for the dividers.

-- Bill - Rochester MI