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
3 comments so far
Dave Polaschek
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7338 posts in 1641 days
#1 posted 06-08-2019 05:55 AM
Nice, Bill.
I’ll check through my bits in the morning. I may have a spare or two that’ll help you fill things in. We’ll see.
-- Dave - Santa Fe
Bill Berklich
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1179 posts in 1447 days
#2 posted 06-08-2019 10:59 AM
Great let me know – I think my 5s and 7s mated…
-- Bill - Rochester MI
Dave Polaschek
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7338 posts in 1641 days
#3 posted 06-09-2019 01:05 AM
Oops. Forgot to check. I’ll try again tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a couple spares. If you want to PM me your address, that might remind me to find them. :-/
-- Dave - Santa Fe
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