Project by Ben | posted 02-09-2020 01:13 AM | 1602 views | 3 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
I was insired by Pekovich’s Essential Tool Chest but wanted something smaller, so this is my adaptation.
Brusso hardware throughout.
I have to say it’s probably still too big to be dragging around to job sites, and very heavy even empty. My next project will be a small hand tote. All I really need to bring to site is a jack plane, block plane, occasional router plane and some chisels. So this might wind up going to my girlfriend as a knitting box.
Pekovich does amazing work, but I have to say I think this design if kind of goofy. Unnecessarily convoluted, and not so great with regards to expansion and lots of different grain orientation. If I had it to do over again I would have done a more dovetail-centric design and avoided all the weird grain orientations and panels.
I had originally left the tenons proud, which looked nice, but a badly botched shellac job caused me to sand it all out flush and start over.
I did box joints on the bottom because I was all set up for it after a kitchen project.
Not my proudest or happiest work, but it should make a nice box for something!
Thanks for looking.
17 comments so far
therealSteveN
home | projects | blog
6972 posts in 1543 days
#1 posted 02-09-2020 01:45 AM
As a tool box I’d be scared to use it for fear of messing up that beautiful wood. As a Knitting box, I’m betting your GF would be thrilled.
Very nice looking box.
-- Think safe, be safe
swirt
home | projects | blog
5856 posts in 3941 days
#2 posted 02-09-2020 02:33 AM
It looks amazing regardless of what it is used for.
-- Galootish log blog, http://www.timberframe-tools.com
BurlyBob
home | projects | blog
8259 posts in 3235 days
#3 posted 02-09-2020 03:08 AM
I think it look wonderful! Fantastic work with the Cherry and those other woods. How you inlaid all the hardware is amazing. It’s a winner in my book.
Wintergreen78
home | projects | blog
96 posts in 709 days
#4 posted 02-09-2020 03:25 AM
That looks good! I agree with you about the design though. I’m making a similar tool box right now and looked at a bunch of different ones when deciding what to make. For that one, it seems like a frame and panel back would have made sense to get rid of the cross-grain joints on the back. That front panel seems wide enough to potentially cause problems too.
But, yours came out looking really good.
Woodknack
home | projects | blog
13543 posts in 3349 days
#5 posted 02-09-2020 04:25 AM
Handsome work
-- Rick M, http://thewoodknack.blogspot.com/
wildwoodbybrianjohns
home | projects | blog
2375 posts in 516 days
#6 posted 02-09-2020 08:06 AM
Prettiest toolbox Ive ever seen.
-- Wildwood by Brian Johns: The Big Bang: Nothing - exploded into Everything. Thanks to Nothing.
LittleBlackDuck
home | projects | blog
6174 posts in 1790 days
#7 posted 02-09-2020 10:45 AM
Exactly my sentiment when I started to read your post!.
Then you came to your senses.
And… went stupid, again! That I totally disagree with… Personally, as a box, it looks fantastic and you should be proud… Just put it to better use than workshop fodder and make it a presentation unit inside the house.
-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Peteybadboy
home | projects | blog
2840 posts in 2919 days
#8 posted 02-09-2020 01:18 PM
That is beautiful.
-- Petey
recycle1943
home | projects | blog
4942 posts in 2591 days
#9 posted 02-09-2020 02:21 PM
I really shouldn’t say this but I will -
LBD said it and I agree !
-- Dick, Malvern Ohio - my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife sells my toys for what I told her I paid for them
Redoak49
home | projects | blog
5023 posts in 2958 days
#10 posted 02-09-2020 05:14 PM
What a beautiful job!
Lazyman
home | projects | blog
6312 posts in 2357 days
#11 posted 02-09-2020 05:21 PM
Beautifully done!
For future reference, messed up shellac finishes can often be fixed by simply cleaning off the shellac with denatured alcohol with minimal sanding. I have even refinished some vintage mid century modern furniture that have a shellac finish this way. I usually use a scotch brite or similar pad dipped in alcohol and then finish with a coarse cloth that is slightly damp with alcohol.
-- Nathan, TX -- Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
118153 posts in 4546 days
#12 posted 02-10-2020 01:35 AM
Amazing tool chest Ben great design and build.
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos
Dark_Lightning
home | projects | blog
4314 posts in 4078 days
#13 posted 02-10-2020 01:37 AM
Looks nice! How big is it? As far as shellac goes, I’ll never again use anything but spray for application. Maybe that will annoy some people but that’s my decision- especially with amber shellac. Getting the color right isn’t easy with a brush.
-- Steven.......Random Orbital Nailer
LittleBlackDuck
home | projects | blog
6174 posts in 1790 days
#14 posted 02-10-2020 02:53 AM
If you have the time, check out this video (it drags on for about 1.5 hrs… suggest download and watch in installments, over a beer or vino), might not totally make a shellac convert of you, but, it’ll teach the right way to do it.
-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Dark_Lightning
home | projects | blog
4314 posts in 4078 days
#15 posted 02-10-2020 03:12 AM
Beer or vino, I’d be asleep before it was over. Maybe I’ll watch it after I’m fully caffeinated in the morning. I’m a wiping oil finish convert now, anyway. A new project will be posted soon to prove that…right after some defective stuff I ordered for drawer pulls is replaced. That doesn’t alter the finish, but I want it complete before I post.
-- Steven.......Random Orbital Nailer
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 17 comments
Have your say...