| Project by RLindberry | posted 11-04-2016 04:36 AM | 1396 views | 3 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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Since my son loves to be in the shop with me, I had to keep him out while I made this (though he unwittingly helped me choose the board for it). He has a set of “grown up” tools like a mallet, gent’s saw, winding sticks, tape measure, block plane, etc., but he has no place to keep them. So he keeps them on his workbench, which happens to be my saw bench. This of course, means I have to move them anytime I want to use my saw bench…so I thought a tote to store his tools would be a great gift for his fourth birthday.
This was made from an eight foot 1×8 piece of pine. The dovetails are obviously to provide strength for the bottom to hold way more weight than it ever should. The sides are rabbeted on both ends and the bottom and attached with angled dowels. Initials were carved and burned with a soldering iron.
There are probably two things I would do differently: 1) Next time I’d make the tenon shorter (in height) to allow the handle to be a tad higher, and 2) i would have made the sides just a bit narrower to allow a little more room to get things in and out.
Nothing fancy here, but it should last him a lifetime.
Questions & comments are welcome.
10 comments so far
shakespeare
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22 posts in 2466 days
#1 posted 11-04-2016 12:27 PM
What a great gift. I bet he’ll make one for his son someday.
RLindberry
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54 posts in 3178 days
#2 posted 11-04-2016 12:45 PM
That would be pretty cool if he did. I hope to see this kicking around in his shop/garage when he is my age.
RustyHacksaw
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145 posts in 1775 days
#3 posted 11-04-2016 02:13 PM
Now, figure out a way to teach him to put his tools back inside the box when he’s done… then share your secrets with me.
Thanks.
Halc
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146 posts in 2114 days
#4 posted 11-04-2016 02:48 PM
This tote looks great! I think your son is a lucky kid.
GR8HUNTER
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6449 posts in 1224 days
#5 posted 11-04-2016 02:57 PM
nice …......GREAT JOB
-- Tony---- Reinholds,Pa.------ REMEMBER TO ALWAYS HAVE FUN
Northwest29
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1681 posts in 3002 days
#6 posted 11-04-2016 03:38 PM
A great gift for your son. A real nice treasure for him to have. You are a fine dad for sure.
-- Ron, Eugene, OR, "Curiosity is a terrible thing to waste."
RLindberry
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54 posts in 3178 days
#7 posted 11-05-2016 03:44 AM
Thank you all for your comments. I am eager to watch him enjoy this in the coming years.
Boxguy
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2857 posts in 2779 days
#8 posted 11-06-2016 08:07 AM
RL, what a nice project. If you decide to make another one down the line you might think about this design. I like having one straight side to fit against your leg and a slanted side to fit tools into the tote. Even if you made another one, this one will always be special. My adult son now lives in the city and is far from any shop, but i found he still keeps the simple tote I made for him when he was 8. It holds his wrench set, hammer, and some pliers, and he uses it for simple home repairs.
What joy to have a four-year-old son. They have so much energy and can be so sweet. If all goes well, you may get to have a four-year-old grandson like I have now. He has taught me to treasure every day that children are young and yours. Keep boxing and keep posting.
-- Big Al in IN
Boxguy
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2857 posts in 2779 days
#9 posted 11-06-2016 08:16 AM
RL, I meant to compliment you on your through mortised handle and sturdy construction, but I couldn’t go back in and edit in that comment. With half lapped corners on the sides and a dovetailed bottom, this is a finely done heirloom. Sorry I had to make this a two part comment. Keep boxing and keep posting.
-- Big Al in IN
woodcox
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2361 posts in 2524 days
#10 posted 11-06-2016 10:43 PM
Nice work. That is a great tote for your boy.
-- "My god has more wood than your god" ... G. Carlin.
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