| Project by bobasaurus | posted 12-21-2013 09:56 PM | 36936 views | 59 times favorited | 26 comments |  |
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I built this tool tote as a gift for my neighbor who helps me work on my car. He is a great car mechanic and I thought he could use some nice tool storage. The woods are walnut, cottonwood, red oak, and beech (on the runners). The walnut and cottonwood belonged to a woodworking friend of mine that passed away, so I like to think I’m continuing his legacy a little. I hand cut the dovetails and through-mortises, and did a lot of hand planing for dimensioning/trimming/smoothing.
The handle is slightly curved to make it feel nice in the hand and give more tool clearance in the center. I made it from two laminated pieces for added strength, and the tenons have small bloodwood wedges to keep them locked into the mortises.
I also made a sliding tray to keep smaller tools handy, which is removable to use as a mini-tote.
The design is roughly based on a ridiculously-fine tool tote made by jakub76 . I directly copied the idea of inlaying cross-grain wood near the handle for extra strength… should keep the wood from splitting under heavy loads.
I finished everything first with 1# cut amber dewaxed shellac to seal the grain (the cottonwood was especially soft and porous, so it needed it), then waterlox original to bring out the grain, followed by “helmsman” satin spar urethane for durability. Finally, I applied some renaissance wax to even-out the luster.
This is my favorite picture from the build, using my Lie-Nielsen no. 4 with 50 degree frog to smooth a side panel:
Here is a full set of build pictures for anyone interested:
-- Allen, Colorado (Instagram @bobasaurus_woodworking)
26 comments so far
Marcus
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1165 posts in 2984 days
#1 posted 12-21-2013 11:17 PM
Wow, I hope your neighbor realizes how nice of a tool box that is. If he does, I hope he still uses the heck out of it, because it looks like its built to last a lifetime.
redmen
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39 posts in 2992 days
#2 posted 12-21-2013 11:47 PM
Wow, that will be appreciated!
hoss12992
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#3 posted 12-21-2013 11:52 PM
Great job. I really like the subtle curved handle, dove tails and the contrasting of the woods. The craftsmanship are def top notch.
-- The Old Rednek Workshop https://www.facebook.com/theoldrednekworkshoptn
exelectrician
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2339 posts in 3391 days
#4 posted 12-22-2013 12:57 AM
Super nice job – WOW
-- Love thy neighbour as thyself
Woodenwizard
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1367 posts in 4007 days
#5 posted 12-22-2013 02:23 AM
You always do a great job. A great gift that I am sure will be appreciated for years to come. Almost makes me want to move in next door. :)
-- John, Colorado's (Wooden Wizard)
bobasaurus
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3710 posts in 4148 days
#6 posted 12-22-2013 02:53 AM
Thanks for the kind comments. I gave it to him today and he seemed excited. Hopefully it won’t get too covered in grease / car fluids. Now I need to get back to making a few last-minute Christmas gifts.
-- Allen, Colorado (Instagram @bobasaurus_woodworking)
kdc68
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2992 posts in 3241 days
#7 posted 12-22-2013 03:16 AM
That sir is a show piece ! Well done…
-- Measure "at least" twice and cut once
RibsBrisket4me
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1554 posts in 3470 days
#8 posted 12-22-2013 03:17 AM
Whoa,! That is some fine woodworking! Nicely done sir!
lepelerin
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498 posts in 3289 days
#9 posted 12-22-2013 04:15 AM
very nicely done. It give me idea to make one for my nephew who start to really like tools.
tomd
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2219 posts in 4734 days
#10 posted 12-22-2013 04:49 AM
Beautiful tote, I wished I lived next to you. Excellent workmanship and attention to details, love it.
-- Tom D
Ivan
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16509 posts in 3832 days
#11 posted 12-22-2013 07:01 AM
Beautiful work!
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
aussiedave
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#12 posted 12-22-2013 10:47 AM
Excellent looking tool tote, beautiful wood and joinery… looks too good to use….great job.
-- Dave.......If at first you don’t succeed redefine success....
SteveGaskins
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762 posts in 3551 days
#13 posted 12-22-2013 01:20 PM
Absolutely stunning. What a great build with excellent craftsmanship. Added to favorites. Thanks for posting.
-- Steve, South Carolina, http://www.finewoodworkingofsc.com
flossy
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108 posts in 3335 days
#14 posted 12-22-2013 02:50 PM
Beautiful work.
-- http://www.briansfinefurniture.com
ChuckC
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844 posts in 3899 days
#15 posted 12-22-2013 03:29 PM
I love it. It’s an awesome looking tote!
How do you like the LN #4 smoother? It’s on my short list.
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