The Tool Chest

I decided on a 24″ by 18″ by 18″ dovetailed box. The moldings and bottoms were nailed and glued on, while the top has a split piano hinge as its method of movement. Most of the dovetails and dadoes are splined for strength (because I can’t cut a tight dovetail) and I used a L-N low angle block plane to get the pins and tails even. I only used power tools for milling the wood.

Inside. First, a tool tray with a small selection of hammers, nail sets, wrenches, etc. A chisel/gouge/trisquare rack, a saw till, and some places for hand plane storage.

It’s gotten a few facelifts since then. My students painted it with blue and green acrylics. A few kids hand-sanded the tray and outside to get “that” look. I still have to work on getting it to look artistic. We then laid a few coats of glossy Minwax Polycrylic. I added rails on the top to hold an old Woodkraft miterbox. I can move the piece pretty well with the saw on top.

I also added a hammer rack – 3/4 inch pine rails frame a piece of pegboard, while 1/8th inch bungee cord from R.E.I keeps everything wired in. A clasp on the front lock it in, a chain to keep everything swinging nice.

More pictures of the build at www.woodshopcowboy.com

-- make it safe & keep the rubber side down.