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Studley Tool Chest
Does anyone know who currently owns the Studley tool chest? I'm trying to research the mechanism for how the chest secures and retains the tools. I cannot find anything about it on the Internet.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
I would check with Charles Schwarz. He did a Highland woodworking video about the Studley tool chest when it was on public display a few years back. That's also a video you might want to watch. It's amazing!
it was bought from studleys grandson in the 80's from a private collector.there is a book just about the chest that went into extreme detail showing all the tools and how the chest went together. i have the book but have yet to sit down and read it all. the chest is an amazing work of woodworking art.i believe it is on loan to the smithsonian.
Isn't that book on sale at Lost art press? I really need to buy it. I've got a poster of the tool chest. I plan on putting it in a frame and hanging it in my shop.
yes i have the poster also. ir eally gotta take the time and read it.the book shows how they took out each tool and painstakinly photograhed each one in detail.the chest is like no other. he was an amazing craftsman.Isn t that book on sale at Lost art press? I really need to buy it. I ve got a poster of the tool chest. I plan on putting it in a frame and hanging it in my shop.
- BurlyBob
There was also some people that reproduced some of the tools. You can sometimes find the cast mallet heads so you can recreate his mallet. Jim Bode has them from time to time. Also, his dividers can usually be found. But yes, the video would be the best way to see the mechanisms etc.Isn t that book on sale at Lost art press? I really need to buy it. I ve got a poster of the tool chest. I plan on putting it in a frame and hanging it in my shop.
- BurlyBob
yes i have the poster also. ir eally gotta take the time and read it.the book shows how they took out each tool and painstakinly photograhed each one in detail.the chest is like no other. he was an amazing craftsman.
- pottz
https://lostartpress.com/products/dvd-virtuoso-the-tool-cabinet-workbench-of-h-o-studley
That would be Chris Schwarz….
New Yankee Workshop also did a episode about that tool chest..
New Yankee Workshop also did a episode about that tool chest..
Don WIlliams, the author of the book listed above, has numerous posts about the chest and tools on his web site at:
http://donsbarn.com/
The book may have the details you are looking for. It contains close up photos, measurements and detailed descriptions of the tool chest and the tools it contains.
TonyC
http://donsbarn.com/
The book may have the details you are looking for. It contains close up photos, measurements and detailed descriptions of the tool chest and the tools it contains.
TonyC
By the way, in the book Don Williams refers to the owner of the tool chest as "Mr. Stewart [not his real name]".
I do not know if the identity of the the owner has been revealed.
TonyC
I do not know if the identity of the the owner has been revealed.
TonyC
As beautiful as it is, I gotta say that the cabinet just screams pilfered materials.
When I see Mother of Pearl, rich veneers, and fine inlays, it always suggests to me that the maker had a steady source for exotic materials. Studley did work for a piano builder, didn't he?
When I see Mother of Pearl, rich veneers, and fine inlays, it always suggests to me that the maker had a steady source for exotic materials. Studley did work for a piano builder, didn't he?
Or Sir Schwarzenheimer, he'll answer to both.That would be Chris Schwarz….
New Yankee Workshop also did a episode about that tool chest..
- bandit571
poop why would you suggest studley was a thief and stole from his employer ? first time ive ever heard anyone assume such a thing about him.As beautiful as it is, I gotta say that the cabinet just screams pilfered materials.
When I see Mother of Pearl, rich veneers, and fine inlays, it always suggests to me that the maker had a steady source for exotic materials. Studley did work for a piano builder, didn t he?
- poopiekat
LOL yes this. If my best employee wanted to use scraps that were too small to use on pianos and organs I would gladly give them to him for free as a bonus for a job well done. I personally know some people who work for popular guitar companies and they can take scrap wood left too small for guitars. One actually donates some scrap to the local woodworkers guild who then makes toys for the local Children's Hospital.As beautiful as it is, I gotta say that the cabinet just screams pilfered materials.
When I see Mother of Pearl, rich veneers, and fine inlays, it always suggests to me that the maker had a steady source for exotic materials. Studley did work for a piano builder, didn t he?
- poopiekat
poop why would you suggest studley was a thief and stole from his employer ? first time ive ever heard anyone assume such a thing about him.
- pottz
My work often uses inlaid parquetry, mother of pearl, ebony dust, etc. Is the first thing you see a penal law violation?As beautiful as it is, I gotta say that the cabinet just screams pilfered materials.
When I see Mother of Pearl, rich veneers, and fine inlays, it always suggests to me that the maker had a steady source for exotic materials. Studley did work for a piano builder, didn t he?
- poopiekat
Studley built that chest over decades, and he was a piano maker.
This is the first time I have ever heard of Studley accused of wrongdoing.
Not saying that book, or DVD talked abut above aren't worth the price, but back when the Studley was a big topic a few years ago, POP Woodworking, especially Schwarz had articles ad nauseum about every aspect. What I am saying is before I plopped down cash. I'd check to see what they offer for free. Reprints, and regurgitations of older material they put out are probably the most Liberally available info on woodworking out there.
Like these.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Popular+Woodworking%2C+Studley+toolchest&t=opera&ia=web
Like these.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Popular+Woodworking%2C+Studley+toolchest&t=opera&ia=web
Thank you therealSteveN!
I'm not trying to build a replica of the Studley tool chest, only several cases for different tools inspired by the Studley tool chest. I do want to use the same tool retention system and materials, however.
I'm not trying to build a replica of the Studley tool chest, only several cases for different tools inspired by the Studley tool chest. I do want to use the same tool retention system and materials, however.
In reference to Studley's mallet and dividers mentioned above, were they referring to the tool holders or the actual tool dividers (compass)? I thought I only saw Starrett calipers in there.
StarBright,
I just pulled my copy of "Virtuoso: The Tool Cabinet and Workbench of Henry O. Studley" and thumbed through it. It has been several years since I read it.
Don Williams, the author, is a retired furniture conservator from the Smithsonian. He was given COMPLETE access to the tool chest. Every tool was removed, examined, measured and photographed.
Every section of the tool chest was photographed with the tools in place, including MANY closeup shots. There is a chapter, although short, devoted to "Artistic Flourishes" with more close up photos.
I am sure you will enjoy the book and be inspired to use the materials and techniques in your own creations.
Don Williams is also a gifted craftsman and his site has tons of information about using similar materials creatively.
I have no affiliation with Lost Art Press or Don Williams and his web site. Just a satisfied customer of both and absolutely in awe of the Studley tool chest.
TonyC
I just pulled my copy of "Virtuoso: The Tool Cabinet and Workbench of Henry O. Studley" and thumbed through it. It has been several years since I read it.
Don Williams, the author, is a retired furniture conservator from the Smithsonian. He was given COMPLETE access to the tool chest. Every tool was removed, examined, measured and photographed.
Every section of the tool chest was photographed with the tools in place, including MANY closeup shots. There is a chapter, although short, devoted to "Artistic Flourishes" with more close up photos.
I am sure you will enjoy the book and be inspired to use the materials and techniques in your own creations.
Don Williams is also a gifted craftsman and his site has tons of information about using similar materials creatively.
I have no affiliation with Lost Art Press or Don Williams and his web site. Just a satisfied customer of both and absolutely in awe of the Studley tool chest.
TonyC
Studley dividers:
![Wood Font Audio equipment Metal Art]()
I'll echo the above sentiments about the book. It's a fantastic read and the photos are exquisite. You can probably find a lot of the detailed information online but I'd still recommend the book because you don't have to seek it from so many different sources and it may or may not be complete/accurate.
As far as
I'll echo the above sentiments about the book. It's a fantastic read and the photos are exquisite. You can probably find a lot of the detailed information online but I'd still recommend the book because you don't have to seek it from so many different sources and it may or may not be complete/accurate.
As far as
there isn't really a single answer for this. Different tools were retained in different ways.... the mechanism for how the chest secures and retains the tools.
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