| Project by mlk1005 | posted 01-02-2017 07:55 PM | 4900 views | 14 times favorited | 14 comments |  |
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During a weak Ebay moment I bid on a set of socket gouges that had caught my eye. Before I knew it they were in my mailbox and I needed a way to store them to keep them safe and clean.
This box was inspired by the original wooden box that my Stanley 55 plane is in. Just a simple oak finger jointed box with a sliding top. On this one I couldn’t resist accenting the top with same mahogany and stamping my name near the finger pull. The lumber for this came from a hollow oak tree that we took down in our front yard, the stump measured 62” across where it spread out at ground level but the widest boards I could saw from the firewood length rings were about 6”. That’s all that was left from the center rotting out of the tree for what I assume was decades. The discoloration of the wood on the dividers in the lower section of the box is from the rot in the trunk.
I made up a fictitious label for the front of the box so I would remember what was in it and to lend an air of authenticity to the overall project. Sort of helps with that ‘40s feel. For those tool aficionados out there, there is no New Haven Edge Tool Company Socket Gouge set #1244….I made it up….just for my own amusement. :)
There are seven gouges in the box 1/2”, 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/4”, 1 1/2”, 1 3/4” and 2”.
As you can see, I had to turn new handles for several of the sizes.
The four smaller sizes are held in a removable tray that, when lifted out reveals the three larger gouges in the bottom of the box.
Overall size is 8”w x 16 1/4”l x 4 1/4”h.
Here are some detail pics…
Thanks for looking!
-- Mark, St Louis, MO
14 comments so far
helluvawreck
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32122 posts in 3883 days
#1 posted 01-02-2017 08:21 PM
This chisel box is beautiful and so nicely done.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Boxguy
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2894 posts in 3284 days
#2 posted 01-02-2017 10:05 PM
Mark, welcome to Lumberland. I like the box you built. What a nice job…everything certainly fits up nicely. The chisels look like they belong there. What a great new home for your chisels made from wood grown in your front yard. This is a fine, practical storage unit for some classic tools that you have given a new life. They sure do shine. The proof of course is in actually using these to build a project. Have fun. Carve a spoon?
You have done a very nice job on the photos too. It takes a bit of doing, but I like to integrate words and texts on this site. Your sharp, well lit photos added to the pleasure of reading through your article. Keep boxing and keep posting.
-- Big Al in IN
MAO
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34 posts in 1528 days
#3 posted 01-02-2017 11:09 PM
The chisel box looks very nice. Well done!
Mark
-- MAO (Indiana)
jayseedub
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#4 posted 01-03-2017 12:54 AM
Not only is is beautifully made, it’s styling is fantastic, the wood choices are gorgeous, and the label is a great addition. 10/10—wonderful.
CL810
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4107 posts in 4005 days
#5 posted 01-03-2017 01:38 AM
Elegant.
-- "The only limits to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - FDR
observer100
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476 posts in 2127 days
#6 posted 01-03-2017 01:43 AM
Super nice project and the photos are great. A real pleasure to find posted tonight.
-- Seeing is believing.
Billy Hernandez Jr
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44 posts in 3325 days
#7 posted 01-03-2017 05:16 AM
Awesome.e job! I especially love the vintage label you made, very creative.
BurlyBob
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8518 posts in 3282 days
#8 posted 01-03-2017 05:54 AM
What a fantastic way to respectfully store some wonderful old chisels. Your box is really great. I love the use of mahogany, the label and your name. They really add authenticity.
ronstar
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633 posts in 4727 days
#9 posted 01-03-2017 12:09 PM
Impressive chisel box! I like the vintage look.
-- Ron, Northern Illinois
Buckeyes85
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128 posts in 2705 days
#10 posted 01-03-2017 01:50 PM
beautiful job on the chisels and the box. the label is terrific. thanks for sharing
david38
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3518 posts in 3360 days
#11 posted 01-03-2017 03:37 PM
the box looks great
harshest
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63 posts in 3421 days
#12 posted 01-03-2017 03:49 PM
That is really nice.
What did you print your label on?
I like you name stamp as well.
mlk1005
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20 posts in 1532 days
#13 posted 01-04-2017 02:14 AM
Thanks to all for the kind words.
A little background on the label.
The three largest gouges are indeed made by the New Haven Edge Tool Company. The rest are not marked in any way but I’m pretty sure they aren’t from New Haven Edge Tool. I felt the box needed to look like it came off a store shelf so I took it upon myself to label it up. The label is just made up in photoshop, printed on plain old copy paper, sprayed with matte finish, then spray glued to the box. 1244 sounded like a reasonable product number… :) I’m very happy so many have enjoyed it!
-- Mark, St Louis, MO
shakespeare
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22 posts in 2971 days
#14 posted 01-10-2017 02:41 PM
You definitely put the stylish into utilitarian. By spending a bit more time on this box, you’ve made yourself something that will give you pleasure every time you see it, and any project you use the gouges on, will always start on a positive note. Well done, sir.
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